State leaders are reacting to Gov. Tim Walz’s proposal to centralize the way Minnesota provides Medicaid services. This comes as part of the Governor's push for anti-fraud changes at the state Department of Human Services.

Walz said the current system, which is split among counties, managed care organizations and the state, has become increasingly difficult to administer. He laid out a plan Wednesday that would have DHS take over eligibility determinations for Medicaid programs. He also said the state would take the lead in modernizing what he called an “outdated system.”

The plan would need lawmaker approval. It received immediate pushback from both Republicans and Democrats.

For reaction from the county perspective, MPR News host Nina Moini talked with Julie Ring, executive director of the Association of Minnesota Counties. She also spoke with a Josh Berg, a board member with the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota, or ARRM. He advocates for service providers that receive Medicaid funding.