Fox9 reports physicians with SpecialtyCare, based out of Tennessee, have filed a federal lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare alleging the company “deliberately engages in the pattern of ‘deny, delay and underpay’ which led to more than $900,000 in unpaid independent dispute resolution (IDR) awards.”
Star Tribune reports Gov. Tim Walz has called for increased criminal penalties for Medicaid fraud following the FBI investigation into autism service providers Thursday.
Bring Me the News reports three Minnesotans are among the roughly 1,500 people granted clemency by President Joe Biden Thursday.
Duluth News Tribune reports the largest city employee union in Duluth, AFSCME Local 66, has voted to authorize a strike as negotiations continue over a new contract.
“We are here because our backs have been against the wall for far too long,” Wendy Wohlwend, president of AFSCME Local 66, said at a news conference late Wednesday afternoon.
Via KARE: “Carlos and Stephanie Flores filed the lawsuit in connection with the death of their daughter Olivia, who was 18 years old on May 18, 2024, when the car she was a passenger in was struck by a Minnesota State Patrol cruiser driving at a high rate of speed. “
Axios reports the St. Paul City Council approved a city budget despite Mayor Melvin Carter’s objections. “The vote was a pivotal show of political gumption by four council members just completing their first year in office, who rejected the mayor’s ‘compromise’ offer that included less-drastic spending limits.”
Also in city budget news, MPR reports the Minneapolis City Council overrode Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of the 2025 budget. “Council members supporting the budget said that money is going towards services residents want, like addressing homelessness, environmental protections, support for workers and funding for services for immigrant residents.”