Senator Carine Werner Calls Third Oversight Hearing to Demand Accountability From AHCCCS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                           
Monday, October 27, 2025

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Senator Carine Werner, Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, is continuing her push for transparency and accountability from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) as the committee prepares to hold its third special oversight hearing on Tuesday, November 12 at 1 p.m. in Senate Hearing Room 1.

The upcoming hearing will focus on AHCCC's ongoing response to widespread Medicaid fraud and its lasting impact on behavioral health providers and Arizona families. Senator Werner has invited newly appointed AHCCCS Director Ginny Roundtree and members of the agency's executive leadership team to testify and address the committee's outstanding questions. The committee has also requested the attendance of leadership from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to question the Department on allegations of retaliation levied against providers who speak publicly about the challenges they face with AHCCCS and ADHS.

"Arizonans deserve answers – not excuses," said Senator Werner. "Governor Hobbs and AHCCCS continue to hide behind lawsuits and misleading data, instead of owning up to the damage caused by its failed oversight. We will not allow bureaucratic stonewalling to stand in the way of accountability. Taxpayers, families, and providers deserve to know exactly what AHCCCS is doing to fix this crisis – and what meaningful steps are being taken to ensure this never happens again."

Senator Werner's committee began investigating Arizona's Medicaid crisis earlier this year, scrutinizing billions of dollars in losses tied to fraudulent billing, tens of thousands of disenrolled members, and widespread service disruptions that have left at-risk communities, especially Native Americans, struggling to access care. Lawmakers say AHCCCS's failed oversight and lack of urgency have compounded the damage, prompting Senator Werner to intensify public pressure and demand concrete corrective action. Despite repeated requests, AHCCCS has failed to provide clear, complete data on enforcement actions, provider reinstatement, and the agency's recovery efforts. Lawmakers say the pattern of evasion and delay underscores a systemic failure that demands continued public oversight.

The committee's November 12 hearing will publicly review AHCCCS's compliance with document and data requests and evaluate whether the agency is taking meaningful corrective action. Members of the media who wish to receive a list of what was requested may reach out to Senate Republicans Communications Team.

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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov