Fridays with Fatima – Volume 4

Perhaps you have heard about a new work requirement proposal for Medicaid recipients at the Minnesota legislature? In case you haven’t, This is Medicaid (TIM) is currently responding to  House File 3722 and Senate File 3219 which directs the MN Department of Human Services to apply for a federal waiver establishing work requirements as a condition of receiving health coverage for low-income adults receiving health care through Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid program. While work is a shared and worthy goal, this proposal would create a costly and complicated new system with unintended consequences for state and local government, health and mental health care providers, and low-income Minnesotans.

If you would like to read and/or sign unto a letter drafted by TIM, click here. If you have questions or need more information please reach out to Patrick Ness: patrick.ness@wilder.org.

The Renters’ Credit refunds a portion of the property taxes that renters have paid through their rents.  Homeowners experience similar benefits from the “circuit breaker” which limits how big a piece of Minnesotans’ family budgets can go to property taxes. About 328,000 Minnesota households received the Renters’ Credit in 2015. More than one-quarter of these households included seniors or people with disabilities with seniors and people with disabilities, making up at least one-half of all households receiving the Renters’ Credit. About 70 percent of households receiving the Renters’ Credit have incomes roughly $31,000 or less. Needless to say, the Renter’s Credit is a valuable resource which many low-income families find helpful and use to supplement fundamental needs of their families.