The public is invited to a local forum Wednesday, Aug. 26, when state officials will provide information about a proposed overhaul of Arizona’s Medicaid program.
Arizona this fall plans on asking the federal government’s permission to make several changes to the program. Those proposed changes apply to able-bodied adults and include implementing co-pays, job searching and a five-year enrollment limit.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon in Ballroom B of Casino Del Sol, 5655 W. Valencia Road. Forums have already taken place in Phoenix, Yuma and Flagstaff.
Currently, 1.7 million Arizonans are enrolled in Medicaid, including 271,000 Pima County residents. Able-bodied adults represent about 350,000 of the state enrollment total. People with serious mental illness, children, people with disabilities and the elderly are not considered able-bodied.
Arizona’s Medicaid program is called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and it is a government insurance program for low income people. The threshold is a yearly income of 133 percent of the federal poverty level or less — that’s $31,721 or less for a family of four and $15,521 or less for an individual.
Comments and questions will be taken during the meeting but may also be submitted by email to PublicInput@azahcccs.gov or by mail to AHCCCS, c/o Office of Intergovernmental Relations, 801 E. Jefferson St., Mail Drop 4200, Phoenix, AZ 85034.
