The House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, is urging Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to attend a congressional hearing focused on alleged fraud within the state’s Medicaid and social services programs. Comer has indicated that if Walz and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison do not appear at the hearing scheduled for Wednesday, he will interpret their absence as an “admission of guilt.”
Comer emphasized the importance of the hearing, stating, “They know how serious this is. This has gotten the attention of the national public.” This public pressure comes in the wake of a viral video by Nick Shirley, a YouTuber, who claimed that numerous daycares in the Twin Cities were involved in fraudulent activities, costing the Minnesota government tens of millions of dollars. Shirley’s video depicts him attempting to visit several daycares, which were either closed or refused entry, raising further concerns.
The allegations have prompted significant federal attention. Following the video’s release, the Health and Human Services Department paused all childcare payments to Minnesota, and the Homeland Security Investigations unit has been deployed to the state. Comer highlighted troubling developments, stating, “We’re getting reports that many of these daycares are changing their names and they’re having break-ins and mysteriously losing their files.”
The scrutiny on Minnesota’s social services is not new. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice revealed an ongoing investigation into the state’s Medicaid program, uncovering an estimated $9 billion in fraudulent payments since 2018. In response to the escalating scandal, Governor Walz announced a third-party audit of Medicaid billing through the state’s Department of Human Services.
In a related development, Walz declared on March 4, 2024, that he would not seek re-election, expressing his commitment to addressing the fraud issue. He stated, “Minnesota has to come first — always,” on social media platform X. His decision to step away from the election campaign aims to allow him to concentrate more fully on the pressing work related to the state’s social services reform.
While the hearing is set to take place, the implications of these allegations continue to unfold. The expected attendance of both Walz and Ellison will be closely monitored, as their participation could significantly influence public perceptions regarding accountability and governance in Minnesota.
As these events develop, questions remain about the future integrity of the state’s social services programs and the measures needed to restore public trust.
