Arizona Nursing Jobs in Danger from AHCCCS Elimination
A large number of Arizona nursing jobs (Click here) could be in danger if the state eliminates its local Medicaid program.
Last month, the Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of a bill that would effectively get rid of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, a move that would result in the loss of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars for the local economy.
AHCCCS, which basically serves as the state’s Medicaid agency, is responsible for providing healthcare services to residents that meet certain income and other requirements. The program is being targeted for elimination because of Arizona’s budget troubles, including a lack of state and federal funding for the program.
“At this time, we stand at a critical point in determining the future of the AHCCCS program in Arizona,” AHCCCS Director Tom Betlach said in a statement. “As policymakers, you have been charged with a very difficult decision and you have a number of alternatives to consider.
“Certainly, eliminating the AHCCCS program in its entirety is one policy alternative,” he continued. “But in considering this option, we must advise you of the significant implications this choice poses from an economic and human standpoint.”
AHCCCS currently provides healthcare to 1.35 million Arizona residents, half of which are children, and many of which are elderly, disabled, or mentally ill. The program is ranked as having the lowest per-member cost, lowest pharmaceutical costs, and highest use of generic drugs among any Medicaid program in the country.
In addition to hurting millions of residents, eliminating AHCCCS would cost the local economy millions of dollars, and the trickle-down effect could result in the loss of many jobs - including everything from Arizona nursing jobs to positions for physicians to hospital help staff.
“The economic devastation that would result from the sudden elimination of $7 billion in federal participation would be crippling,” Betlach said. “Unemployment would skyrocket. The demand for other government services would drain resources. And Arizona’s health care network – hospitals, pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and so many other ancillary services – would be irreparably damaged.”
The bill that would de-fund the program still has to go through several steps before becoming law. In the meantime, some experts have suggested alternatives to eliminating AHCCCS, such as taking an incremental approach to Medicaid reform throughout the state.
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