Native America Calling: Substance abuse treatment remains elusive for hundreds of people after Arizona Medicaid fraud

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Thursday, November 21, 2024

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Substance abuse treatment remains elusive for hundreds of people after Arizona Medicaid fraud

More than a year after Arizona cracked down on fake substance abuse treatment facilities following a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scam, hundreds of people can’t find adequate treatment.

The scam swept up thousands of Native Americans and sought reimbursement for care they never received. An investigative report by the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting and ProPublica also discovered continued confusion over Medicaid reimbursements that threatens the viability of the legitimate facilities cleared by the state to continue.

Join Native America Calling to get an update on the aftermath of the Medicaid scam and the ongoing effort to help people needing behavioral health care.

NOTE:
The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting continues to collect information about people affected by the interruption in behavioral health services. Those with information can write to info@azcir.org, or call 505-226-0626.

The Department of Health and Human Services includes the Indian Health Service and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Photo by Indianz.Com (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Guests on Native America Calling

Reva Stewart (Navajo [Diné]), store owner of Shush Diné Native Shop in Phoenix, Arizona, founder of the Stolen People, Stolen Benefits grassroots organization and founder of Turtle Island Women Warriors

Raquel Moody (White Mountain Apache and Hopi), advocate for Turtle Island Women Warriors

Walter Murillo (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), CEO of Native Health, an urban Indian health provider in Phoenix, Arizona

Hannah Bassett, investigative reporter for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting