To Enrich Lives

Ms. Melander-Smith joins a growing coalition of legislators, advocates, providers, caregivers, and patients working to prevent the award of the Department of Human Services’ (DHS’s) monopoly Preferred Incontinence Product Program procurement

(SAINT PAUL, MN) – Ms. Wheelchair America, Sheri Melander-Smith of Chanhassen, Minnesota, today filed an official protest against DHS’s Preferred Incontinence Product Program (PIPP), which would award a single company a monopoly on distributing medically-necessary incontinence products to Minnesota Medicaid patients. The PIPP is opposed by disability advocates, providers, legislative leaders in both parties, and Governor Dayton.

“If DHS succeeds in giving a single corporation a monopoly, the health and dignity of Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens will be put at risk. Patients will have reduced access to high-quality incontinence products, while costs will likely go up,” said Melander-Smith. “I’m proud to join with the disability community in the fight against this unnecessary and dangerous program that puts patients at risk.”

The PIPP would designate a single monopoly distributor of medically-necessary incontinence products to Minnesota Medicaid patients. Ms. Melander-Smith’s protest further details the potential harm of the program to the disability community, including Minnesotans like her.

Ms. Melander-Smith also signed onto a legal petition requesting that DHS initiate an official rulemaking process before the Office of Administrative Hearings. A bipartisan group of 10 Minnesota legislators recently signed a letter of support for the petition. The petition was filed with an Administrative Law Judge, who has 30 days to respond and determine whether to require a formal rulemaking process. Read more