Minn. gets federal OK for $58M to aid vulnerable

Minnesota has received approval from the federal government to direct $58 million over four years into services meant to help senior citizens and people with disabilities in their homes.

The Department of Human Services announced the federal approval Wednesday. It's part of a bipartisan initiative to help more Minnesotans who rely on Medicaid to move away from costly institutional care.

Additional money will benefit support services for people with disabilities in job searches. Also newly funded is one-on-one support for seniors, people with disabilities and their family members as they make decisions about long-term care services.

Home and community-based care organizations will get a boost in reimbursement rates, and funding will be provided to consolidate 160 separate phone services into one hotline for reporting abuse of seniors and vulnerable adults.

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