Stephanie Innes

1 week ago | azcentral.com | Stephanie Innes

Arizona's effort to include traditional healing as a Medicaid benefit is uncertain after failing to advance in the recent legislative session. Gov. Katie Hobbs has budgeted for the benefit, but legislative approval is needed. Proponents believe the benefit will improve health outcomes and reduce costs, especially for Native Americans.

2 weeks ago | azcentral.com | Stephanie Innes

Former President Joe Biden and other older men may not be getting routine prostate cancer screenings but his recent Stage 4 diagnosis raises questions about whether that's always the best choice. Prostate cancer screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, last updated in 2018, says men ages 70 and older should not get routine prostate cancer screening.

1 month ago | azcentral.com | Stephanie Innes

A crisis involving phony rehabilitation clinics in Arizona cost taxpayers up to $2.5 billion, but it's not the only instance of fraud against the state's Medicaid program. The addiction recovery schemes are often referred to as Arizona's sober living crisis and involve multiple different instances where enrollees in the state's Medicaid program were not given the treatment they were looking for when they tried to get sober from alcohol and drug dependence.

1 month ago | azcentral.com | Stephanie Innes

Arizona's Medicaid agency (AHCCCS) was defrauded of up to $2.5 billion through various schemes, primarily targeting Indigenous people seeking addiction treatment. Over 100 individuals and companies have been indicted, with some receiving probation and others, like Diana Marie Moore and Ariel Olivia Dix, serving prison sentences. Critics demand accountability for AHCCCS employees who may have overlooked early signs of fraud, while lawsuits against the agency are underway.

1 month ago | azcentral.com | Stephanie Innes

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill that would have restricted SNAP recipients from purchasing soda with their benefits. The bill, supported by RFK Jr., aimed to improve health outcomes but faced opposition from various organizations. Hobbs argued the bill would unfairly limit SNAP recipients' purchasing power. Advocates of RFK Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again agenda have failed in an effort to prevent Arizonans from using food stamps to purchase soda. Arizona Gov.