Senator Werner Previews Next Oversight Hearing as AHCCCS Accountability Gaps Persist
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Senator Carine Werner, Chair of the Senate Health & Human Services Committee, is renewing her call for accountability within the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System ahead of the committee's next oversight hearing on Thursday, January 29, immediately following floor proceedings.
Months of hearings, document requests, and sworn testimony have revealed ongoing failures within AHCCCS that continue to disrupt Arizona's provider network and deny vulnerable patients access to care. Providers remain locked out of the system, services are still limited, and families in crisis are struggling to receive timely treatment.
"This is no longer just a policy failure. It's a public health and safety crisis," said Senator Werner. "Decisions made inside AHCCCS dismantled parts of our provider network and robbed Arizonans of the care they desperately need. Leadership appearing before the committee has repeatedly failed to provide clear, complete answers regarding enforcement decisions, provider terminations, and the internal actions taken after billions of dollars in Medicaid fraud were uncovered."
Senator Werner has introduced multiple bills this session to strengthen oversight, enforce accountability, and ensure AHCCCS and the Arizona Department of Health Services meet their responsibility to protect patients, providers, and taxpayers.
"The committee remains cautiously optimistic that newly appointed Director Ginny Rountree can begin stabilizing the agency, but the oversight record makes clear that leadership changes alone will not resolve the systemic breakdown exposed through the investigation," said Senator Werner. "The Senate Health & Human Services Committee will continue its work until access to care is restored, trust is rebuilt, and meaningful accountability is achieved within Arizona's Medicaid system."
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov