Personnel Puzzle Piece

GOVERNOR BREWER'S MEDICAID PLAN: The Conservative Choice for Arizona

  • First, a reality check: Nobody in Arizona has done more to oppose the Affordable Care Act than Governor Brewer. Whether pushing Congress, leading our State’s legal challenge all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court or saying ‘no’ to an Arizona-based health exchange, the Governor has consistently fought for health reforms with more patient choice, fewer costs and less bureaucracy.
    But the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. Now, our State’s elected leaders have a duty to do what’s best for Arizona.
    That’s why Governor Brewer has crafted a conservative plan that … upholds the will of Arizonans, who’ve twice voted to expand Medicaid … pumps billions of dollars into our economy … protects hospitals … and keeps Arizona tax dollars in Arizona.
    Simply put, the Brewer Medicaid Plan is the right plan for Arizona.

    • No State Expense: The Brewer Medicaid Plan comes at NO COST to the General Fund. Best of all, by taking Medicaid pressure off the General Fund, we can protect critical services like Education and Public Safety.
      Upholds the will of voters: Arizonans have TWICE voted to restore Medicaid. By adding about 57,000 individuals to a Medicaid membership of more than 1 million – we can leverage federal support and vastly diminish State expenses. 
      Keeps Arizona tax dollars in Arizona: Restoration of Arizona’s Medicaid program will inject nearly $8 billion into our economy over the first four years alone. This means thousands of quality jobs in every part of our state. To reject this funding – while neighboring states like California, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico have already said ‘yes’ – would only place Arizona at an economic disadvantage for years to come.
      Protects rural and safety-net hospitals: Let’s face it – uninsured Arizonans get sick just like the rest of us. When they do, they tend to show up in Emergency Rooms – with the exorbitant costs of their care borne by hospitals and the insured. Without action, the very survival of some of our hospitals is threatened, and Arizona families will continue to pay a Hidden Health Care Tax estimated at nearly $2,000 per year.

MEDICAID RESTORATION PLAN: Draft Legislation

MEDICAID RESTORATION: What You Need To Know
  • Why is Medicaid restoration in Arizona’s best interest?

      Given the continued struggles of many Arizonans, including hospitals, physicians and other healthcare providers, the Governor recommends accepting the opportunity to restore the Proposition 204 population and covering adults up to 133% of the federal poverty level. Extending coverage to 133% would only add 57,000 people to the population already covered by Proposition 204.

  • What does the new Provider Assessment mean for Arizona, and when will it take effect?

      Allows hospitals to assess a reimbursable fee upon themselves – using that revenue to leverage federal assistance.
      • This will replace the City of Phoenix assessment which expires on December 31, 2013.
      • The new statewide assessment would go in effect on January 1, 2014.

  • How does the Provider Assessment protect the General Fund?
      New Provider Assessment Protects the General Fund
  • What if the Governor’s plan is NOT approved? How will this impact healthcare in the State of Arizona?

      • 50-60,000 childless adults will lose coverage on January 1, 2014, even if they are in the middle of treatment.
      • The Safety Net Care Pool which provides more than $300 million in federal funds to the Maricopa Integrated Health System, Phoenix
        Children’s Hospital and University Medical Center will be eliminated January 1, 2014.
      • Uncompensated care costs at all hospitals will continue to increase at a rapid rate.
      • Safety net providers and hospitals will struggle to stay open.
      • Rural hospitals will struggle to remain open.
      • Insurance company premiums will continue to increase as hospitals shift more uncompensated care costs onto insurance companies.

MEDICAID REALITY CHECK: MYTHS AND FACTS

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
  • American Diabetes Association Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arizona Dental Association Arizona Medical Association Arizona Pharmacy Association Arizona Physical Therapy Association Arizona Small Business Association Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association Association of the US Navy Banner Behavioral Health Hospital Banner Baywood Medical CenterBanner Boswell Medical CenterBanner Children: Cardon Children's Medical Center Banner Desert Medical Center Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center Banner Estrella Medical Center Banner Gateway Medical Center Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center Banner Heart Hospital Banner Ironwood Medical Center Banner Health Page Hospital Banner Thunderbird Medical Center Cancer Action Network Carondelet Health Network Coconino Coalition for Children and Youth East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce John C. Lincoln Health Network Maricopa County Medical Society Maricopa Integrated Health System National Kidney Foundation of Arizona Phoenix Children's Hospital Prescott Chamber of Commerce Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce Tucson Medical Center Tucson Metro Chamber Yavapai Regional Medical Center Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Yuma Regional Medical Center

STATEWIDE SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S MEDICAID RESTORATION PLAN
  • A broad Arizona coalition has stepped forward to support Governor Brewer’s Medicaid Plan. Whether small-business owners, doctors and nurses, members of the faith community or higher education leaders, these individuals know this is the right call for Arizona

FYI: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION ON MEDICAID RESTORATION