Gov. Jan Brewer has indicated to at least two Republican lawmakers that she will spearhead all efforts to reform state-run mental health services in Arizona.
Reform efforts are expected to focus on the implications of the 1981 verdict in Arnold v. Sarn, an Arizona Supreme Court case that granted Maricopa County residents a legal right to mental health care.
The effectiveness of the program was called into question after a series of audits revealed serious flaws with the county's mental health system administered by Magellan Health Services, a private company hired by the county in 2008.
No official announcement has been made by Brewer, and the Governor’s Office was unavailable for comment. But Rep. Nancy Barto, a Republican from Phoenix, said she has “every reason to believe” Brewer plans to take the helm of reform efforts.
Barto and Sen. Carolyn Allen, a Republican from Scottsdale, have met with Brewer several times during the past few weeks to identify steps the Legislature should take to remedy problems with Magellan.
“We should be hearing more specifics in the next few weeks on the timeline and some of the plans,” Barto said. “I am just really thrilled because this issue encompasses so many different elements and it really belongs on the Ninth Floor. I just think this is a perfect development.”
Barto, chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, has responded to Brewer’s likely role by removing H2205 from the committee’s hearing schedule. The bill, sponsored by Barto, aimed to create a legislative task force to examine the treatment models and the financial efficiencies of Magellan. Members of the task force would have included lawmakers, agency heads and representatives from the courts.
As for the role legislators will play in reforming mental health care services, Barto said the best decision would be to postpone action until receiving direction from the Governor’s Office.
“There are a lot of ideas and opinions,” Barto said. “Frankly, we have to ask a lot of questions before we can move in any direction. Legislation at this point, I think, would be very premature.”