Shutdown Won't Affect Local Boy's Care

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been amended to correct errors in a previous posting. No pay cuts to personal care attendants have taken place, and a judge's ruling related to funding during the government shutdown ensures that care for the Maple Plain boy featured in this story will continue.

Seven-year-old Andy Combs of Maple Plain loves his new Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Josh Patterson. 

“Josh is an extension of me,” said Andy’s mother Andrea Combs. “They play together and work on flashcards, telling time and reading.”

Josh, a 20-year-old college student majoring in physical therapy, works with Andy 35-40 hours per week. Since Andy recently received new leg braces, Josh spends a lot of time working on standing and walking with Andy.

St. David’s Center in Minnetonka is the agency that the Combs family works through for their PCA services for Andy. St. David’s serves over 2,500 children, adults and families in the west metro each year.

A judge's ruling soon after the shutdown began classified care like that being received by Andy is "essential" and will continue uninterupted. 

Andy was born with a birth defect called Heterotaxy and a heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). After his second heart surgery, Andy had a stroke that resulted in weakness on his left side. He also has Hypoglycemia. Andy has seizure activity and other challenges daily.

St. Davids says Josh is part of PCA Choice, which is paid through Medical Assistance. On Wednesday, June 29, Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled that Medical Assistance would continue to be paid through the shutdown. There is no risk that the PCA program will close or that Andy’s care will be in jeopardy.

As for a pay cut, St. Davids says Josh’s pay has not yet been cut. When the state budget does come out, it is possible PCAs may then take a pay cut.