Arizona’s version of Medicaid, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), has been regarded as successful and efficient since it was introduced in 1982. But the reality of increased complications and hopes for reform at the federal level has led to the formation of a new coalition here in the state.
It’s being called Arizona for Better Medicaid, and the news release announcing its formation mentions support from First Place, Phoenix Pediatrics, Vitalyst Health Foundation and UnitedHealth Group.
Bettina Nava is the coalition’s executive director, and The Show spoke with her for more about its origin.
More Stories From KJZZ
A Woman With Developmental Disabilities Was Abused in Arizona. The State Promised Changes. It Has Not Made Them Yet.
A woman with DD living in a state home was raped and had a baby. A task force was made to come up with changes to protect people like her. Most of those changes have not happened yet.
Jan. 20, 5 a.m. EST
This is Hacienda HealthCare. It is in Phoenix. This is where a woman with DD was raped. She had a baby here two years ago. (Matt York/AP)
Inside Arizona’s Division of Developmental Disabilities
We wrote this story in plain language. Plain language means it is easier to read for some people. You can read the original version here.
At Teen Lifeline, teens help in ways only they can The main advantage of Teen Lifeline in Arizona is that the phones at the youth peer-to-peer counseling service are answered by fellow teens. (Source: Jordan Elder/Special for Cronkite News) By Jordan Elder | January 12, 2021 at 10:54 AM MST - Updated January 12 at 10:54 AM
A group of teenagers huddled around a table, some typing essays, others binge-watching a favorite Netflix series. One teen pored over “Frankenstein” for her English class.
Each was deeply immersed in their tasks, but when a phone rang, the mood of the room quickly switched. Red lights blinked on each landline and a tri-tone melody echoed in the lounge. One of the teens hustled through a glass door into the hotline room, pulled out a notepad and took a deep breath.
After a violent crime, Arizona promised reforms for people with developmental disabilities They have yet to deliver tucson.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tucson.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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This article was produced in partnership with the Arizona Daily Star, which is a member of the ProPublica Local Reporting Network.
On New Year’s Eve 2018, an Arizona long-term care facility became a crime scene.
A 29-year-old resident with disabilities so profound she could not talk, walk or care for herself shocked staff when she gave birth to a boy. No one had even noticed she was pregnant. Immediately it was clear she had been raped.
In the national outrage that followed the incident at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix, Arizona promised to do better. The state, which prized itself on its reputation for providing top-notch services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, took action immediately.