Monthly news digest from the Department of Human Services



Minnesota Department of Human Services logo [ [link removed] ]



NEWS FROM DHS



*August 2025*




*News from DHS archive [ [link removed] ]*





In this issue:

* New online resource available about coming Medicaid changes [ #link_7 ]
* DHS moves to terminate Housing Stabilization Services program [ #link_3 ]
* Is your child in crisis? Help is available [ #link_4 ]
* In social media: DHS at state fair [ #link_5 ]
* New DCT agency launches website, social media [ #link_1 ]
* Fact sheet updates [ #link_2 ]
* In the news [ #link_6 ]

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New online resource available about coming Medicaid changes

Stock photo of a man at a clinic visit with a doctor

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the Federal Reconciliation Bill (H.R.1) into law. This new law brings changes to Medicaid, a federal health insurance program that is called Medical Assistance in Minnesota. All states must implement the changes in the law, which include additional requirements for eligibility. 

In keeping with our mission to help Minnesotans live their healthiest and fullest lives, DHS will keep program enrollees and the general public informed about the coming changes so people can plan for themselves and their family if they are affected by changes.  

*Nothing has changed yet.* The first changes won’t take effect until fall 2026. This gives DHS time to review the details, get more information from the federal government, and communicate the changes clearly to Minnesotans.

Check our new webpage at *mn.gov/dhs/federalchanges [ [link removed] ]* for the latest updates about how these changes may affect you. We will add content as we get more information. 



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DHS moves to terminate Housing Stabilization Services program

Under the guidance of the its own Office of Inspector General (OIG), DHS is taking steps to terminate the Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program. In a letter sent Aug. 1 [ [link removed] ] from DHS Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), DHS requested the unprecedented step of ending the Minnesota program.

“DHS is rooting out fraud wherever we find it. We cannot allow one more cent of taxpayer money going out the door to providers who claim to serve Minnesotans in need of stable housing while lining their pockets for personal gain,” said DHS Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi.

“As I made clear in my letter to CMS, our own data analysis has shown that this program does not have the necessary controls to stop bad actors, and we are urging CMS to approve our request to end this program as swiftly as possible.” 

DHS intends to redesign and relaunch the benefit. Toward that effort, DHS will work with the legislature, providers, community partners, and CMS to fully redesign the program with robust program integrity and service quality requirements to prevent bad actors from entering the program and enhance care. Once that work is complete, DHS will then work with CMS to submit a new program framework for approval.

More information is in a department news release [ [link removed] ].

FAQs for providers and clients [ [link removed] ] are also online.

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Is your child in crisis? Help is available
children-mental-health-crisis-webpage

*Call or text 988* to talk to a team of professionals who can help you. You can also start an online chat at 988lifeline.org/chat [ [link removed] ]  to access the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline offers free help for those who are having a mental health crisis or are contemplating suicide.

You can also contact your local mobile crisis team directly through your county or Tribe. Services are available 24/7 across Minnesota.

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In social media: DHS at state fair
DHS at state fair 2025
Link to Facebook post shown above [ [link removed] ].

">> Follow DHS on X (formerly Twitter) [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ] f"or timely updates on DHS news and events.""

">> For announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more, follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] and the "DHS Careers Facebook page [ [link removed] ].""

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Accessible formats

For accessible formats of this publication, write to [email protected], or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.




New DCT agency launches website, social media
New DCT website

The new Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) agency launched its new website, along with social media channels sharing job opportunities available across the state.

The only system of its kind, size and scope in Minnesota, Direct Care and Treatment occupies a unique place in the state's mental health continuum of care and has a unique role.

The health system was previously part of DHS. It became a separate state agency in July. 

Connect with DCT:


* Website: mn.gov/dct [ [link removed] ]
* Facebook careers page [ [link removed] ] 
* LinkedIn careers page [ [link removed] ]

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Fact sheet updates

The following fact sheets were updated this month:

Increasing access to federal disability benefits (PDF) [ [link removed] ]  

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In the news
newspaper beside a coffee cup

*A Closer Look: The state of Minnesota's rural hospitals:* DHS shows as many as 140,000 Minnesota residents will lose their health coverage due to federal Medicaid cuts. In this month's "A Closer Look [ [link removed] ]," WCCO's Laura Oakes examines not only how the state's rural hospitals already facing a physician shortage will be particularly hard hit, but also why some rural medical leaders are optimistic.

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