Arizona for Better Medicaid, a multi-stakeholder group supporting Medicaid and Managed Care in Arizona, fully supports the proposed increase in AHCCCS’ federal expenditure authority from $2.4 billion to $3 billion.

(Phoenix, Ariz., Mar. 1, 2021) Arizona for Better Medicaid, a multi-stakeholder group supporting Medicaid and Managed Care in Arizona, fully supports the proposed increase in AHCCCS’ federal expenditure authority from $2.4 billion to $3 billion. These federal funds already allocated for Arizona will ensure continued access to care for Medicaid members across the state during the COVID19 public health emergency.

Nobody should have to worry about the status of their health care during a pandemic. Approving this increase will ensure Arizona receives the Covid19 relief dollars it is entitled to and provide economic and health care stability and reassurance for individuals and families across the state.

Importantly, this authorization would not include any state dollars. During the COVID19 public health emergency, the federal government is providing an extra 6.2 percentage points in federal funds to help states manage through the pandemic.

There is also precedence for this increase. The State Legislature has adjusted AHCCCS’ federal expenditure authority in seven of the last ten budgets. Due to the economic and health impacts of the pandemic, the Governor and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee baseline budgets already assumed this supplemental spending was needed. These additional federal funds will ultimately yield a General Fund savings for Arizona.

Arizona for Better Medicaid strongly urges the State Legislature to approve this increase.

For more information:
Bettina Nava, Bettina@OHStrategic.com, (602) 228-0105

About Arizona for Better Medicaid

Arizona for Better Medicaid is a multi-stakeholder group of organizations committed to building a better Medicaid system that improves access, quality, outcomes and affordability by fully integrating managed care in Arizona. Arizona for Better Medicaid’s members include health care leaders, providers, health plans and other stakeholders who are champions of Medicaid and Medicaid managed care. Learn more at arizonaforbettermedicaid.org.