Arizona has so far indicted more than 100 individuals involved in the Medicaid fraud scheme and recouped $125 million — just 5% of the funds the state estimates it paid to bad actors.

By @jasminedemers.bsky.social, with @azcir.org

Major developments recently to Arizona's Medicaid agency, several closely tied to my reporting with @azcir.org & @propublica.org on the devastating fraud scheme that left many patients—disproportionately Native American—without access to drug and alcohol treatment.

🧵A quick recap and round-up

Impact from my reporting with Mary Hudetz for @azcir.org and @propublica.org, and the ongoing work of so many to push for increased accountability and oversight ⤵️

🚨IMPACT alert: A new Arizona law increases oversight of sober living homes. The legislation follows a @propublica.org and @azcir.org investigation on a $2 billion Medicaid fraud scheme that targeted Native Americans seeking drug and alcohol treatment. @maryhudetz.bsky.social

At least 40 Native residents of Phoenix-area sober living and treatment facilities died between spring 2022 and summer 2024, amid a Medicaid fraud crisis. Most of their families have received little explanation of how loved ones were preyed on. Via @maryhudetz.bsky.social @hannahbassett.bsky.social

New from @propublica.org: At least 40 Native residents of Phoenix-area sober living homes and treatment facilities died between the spring of 2022 and summer of 2024, amid a Medicaid fraud crisis.

@maryhudetz.bsky.social @hannahbassett.bsky.social, photography by @adrianazehbrauskas.bsky.social

Important story: Dozens Died in Sober Living Homes as Arizona Fumbled Fraud Response @maryhudetz.bsky.social and @hannahbassett.bsky.social @azcir.org

NEW: At least 40 Native American residents of sober living homes and treatment facilities in the Phoenix area died as AZ officials fumbled their response to Medicaid fraud targeting Indigenous people.

By me and @maryhudetz.bsky.social for @azcir.org / @propublica.org
azcir.org/news/2025/01...

NEW: Dozens of Native American residents of sober living homes and addiction recovery facilities in Arizona died as state Medicaid officials struggled to respond to a massive fraud scheme that targeted Indigenous people.

By @maryhudetz.bsky.social & @azcir.org's @hannahbassett.bsky.social

It's #GivingTuesday, or what we call #GivingNewsDay, and we have a goal to raise $5,000 in direct support of our investigative reporting. Thanks to local and national donors, each gift is double-matched!

azcir.fundjournalism.org/newsmatch-20...

📻Tune in! At 11am MT, I'll be joining Native America Calling to discuss what my reporting with @propublica.org's @maryhudetz.bsky.social and @azcir.bsky.social has uncovered in the wake of Arizona's sober living home crisis. www.nativeamericacalling.com/thursday-nov...

🚨NEW: Arizona cracked down on Medicaid fraud that targeted Native Americans. It left patients without care.
My latest, a collaboration between
@azcir.bsky.social & @propublica.bsky.social's Mary Hudetz. 📸Photos by Adriana Zehbrauskas
azcir.org/news/2024/09...

Today marks one year since AZ officials announced a sweeping investigation into widespread Medicaid fraud. Much more information has come to light since then. A brief recap of the scandal and @azcir.bsky.social's coverage (1/8)

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NEW: Patients, advocates & providers detail how AZ officials’ efforts to mitigate Medicaid fraud & the ‘humanitarian crisis’ it had created have fallen short on both fronts.

My first with @azcir.bsky.social, by @mpolletta.bsky.social and me: azcir.org/news/2023/11...