Senator Carine Werner to Hold State Agencies Accountable in Wake of Historic State Medicaid Fraud
- Arizona Senate Republicans
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Senator Carine Werner to Hold State Agencies Accountable in Wake of Historic State Medicaid Fraud
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Carine Werner is leading the Arizona Senate Committee on Health & Human Services this week in a high-stakes oversight hearing to expose how billions in state Medicaid fraud drained taxpayer dollars and left vulnerable families without care.
On Wednesday, October 1 at 1:00 p.m., the committee will hear testimony from trafficking victims, families who lost coverage, and providers struggling under punitive restrictions. The hearing builds on August's explosive revelations of nearly $2.8 billion in taxpayer dollars lost in various fraud schemes, more than 140,000 disenrolled recipients, and widespread failures by state agencies to protect the public.
"This isn't just a story about government failure—it's about billions of your dollars stolen while families lost the coverage and services they depended on," said Senator Werner. "Arizona families deserve a health care system that protects the vulnerable – not one that rewards criminals and wastes money. Every Arizona taxpayer should be outraged. Our job now is to uncover how this happened, hold those responsible accountable, and make sure it never happens again."
The first hearing revealed fraudulent providers exploited gaps in oversight to bill the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for fake services, to traffic vulnerable patients, and to funnel public money into criminal operations. More than 140,000 people lost AHCCCS coverage, and Native American communities were uniquely targeted.
"The cost of fraud goes far beyond the billions stolen. Families are left paying more, costs have increased for hardworking Arizonans, and our trust is shattered, leaving our most vulnerable Arizonans abandoned. On top of all that, services are shrinking and providers who play by the rules are being pushed out, limiting options for honest care," said Senator Werner. "Criminal enterprises exploited loopholes, and government agencies were complicit or ignorant. The level of betrayal is unfathomable and will be thoroughly investigated because Arizonans deserve answers."
DETAILS:
What: Senate Health & Human Services Committee Oversight Hearing on AHCCCS Fraud
When: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 — 1:00 p.m.
Where: Arizona State Senate, Hearing Room 1
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
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