Senators press DHS leadership after Metro Care says payments were withheld and residents face housing risk

Members of the Senate Human Services Committee pressed state agencies for answers after Metro Care Human Services and multiple residents told the panel that state payments to the provider were suspended, creating an immediate risk to clients' housing.

Arnold Kobe, who identified himself as CEO of Metro Care Human Services, told the committee payments were placed on hold effective Dec. 2 and that the organization had been operating "about 100 days without payments." Kobe said Metro Care serves up to 46 residents (37 present at the hearing) and that the agencys resources are nearly exhausted: "We are only a week away" from needing to stop operations if payments are not lifted.

Clients and residents described the personal impact. A resident who identified herself as Kim said Metro Care is "not just an apartment with services" but a community that keeps tenants safe; she concluded, "Please do not take this away from me or any of us." Matthew Gustafson, who said he lives at an ICS run by Metro Human Services, said limited staff after payment pauses have harmed his mental health and jeopardized his housing stability.

Several senators, including Hoffman and Maquay, expressed anger and urgency and pressed the committee administrator to invite the Department of Human Services commissioner, Mr. Clark and a governors office representative to the committees March 11 meeting. Senator Hoffman said he would consider issuing a subpoena if the officials do not appear. Senators and witnesses discussed a previously described "safe transitions" plan; committee members asked DHS or the Office of Inspector General to update the panel on how transitions would protect residents if providers lose funding.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized two priorities: protect taxpayers by addressing suspected fraud, and prevent immediate harms to people who rely on home- and community-based services. The committee adjourned after agreeing to seek agency leadership testimony at the next meeting.