Walz Announces Minnesota DHS Leadership Changes 70 Days After Gandhi Appointed Commissioner
Walz said the reorganization will strengthen oversight and protect Medicaid as the agency faces a $25 billion budget and fraud scrutiny.
- On Monday, Governor Tim Walz removed Shireen Gandhi as Department of Human Services commissioner, appointing John Connolly as temporary replacement while Gandhi shifts to deputy commissioner overseeing Medicaid programs.
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently withheld $91 million in Medicaid funding, intensifying federal pressure on the department over fraud allegations that have prompted the shakeup.
- Senate Republicans labeled the move a "demotion" and called it a "pathetic attempt to dodge real accountability," noting it occurred one day before Gandhi's scheduled confirmation hearing, which was canceled.
- Connolly appointed General Counsel Andrew Johnson as deputy commissioner to help stabilize the $25 billion agency, which employs roughly 7,000 people and manages Medicaid programs for vulnerable Minnesotans.
- With only 14 days remaining in the legislative session, critics argue recycling existing staff will not provide systemic changes needed to root out fraud, citing ongoing federal withholding of nearly $260 million.
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16 Articles
Brainerd Dispatch
Department of Human Services switch-up draws scrutiny
ST. PAUL — Critics are questioning Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to remove Shireen Gandhi as the Department of Human Services commissioner — announced Monday, the day before her confirmation hearing was scheduled. It’s not clear whether senators would have had the votes to confirm Gandhi, who has been criticized for being both too tough and not tough enough on fraud while at the Department of Human Services. When Gandhi was appointed by Walz in late …
Walz removes top Minnesota official on eve of ‘gauntlet’ hearing over fraud scandal
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz removed MNDHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi amid a fraud scandal where a housing program's costs ballooned from $3 million to over $100 million in alleged fraud.
Gov. Walz shakes up Department of Human Services, replaces Commissioner Shireen Gandhi over fraud issues
The Walz administration is shaking up the leadership structure within the Minnesota Department of Human Services after the Trump administration announced it is withholding more Medicaid funding over fraud concerns. Current Commissioner Shireen Gandhi will be replaced by State Medicaid Director John Connolly.
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