About 120,000 Arizonans are going to have to prove they're working, going to school or doing volunteer service to keep getting free health care. But not just yet.

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Director Jami Snyder approved new treatment options for opioid patients using Medicaid Thursday, after the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee recommended the changes last month.

The Arizona Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee will consider Thursday whether to recommend expanding the number of medications to treat opioid dependency that are available to Medicaid enrollees.

Unfortunately, the funding to support SB1088 is missing from initial budget proposals. Officials estimate we need $359,700 from the general fund plus $818,000 in federal Medicaid dollars to fund the program. While not an insignificant amount, the public health implications of failing to provide expectant mothers with dental coverage have a far greater cost. This is why I encourage the legislature to include funding for SB1088 in the final budget.

It’s too late for my brother, but there’s still time for countless other AHCCCS enrollees struggling with opioid addiction. They deserve the best possible chance of recovery. And their physicians are owed the broadest possible arsenal of medications to fight this battle.

Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order Wednesday that will lead to increased oversight of those serving some of Arizona's most vulnerable populations.

The federal government granted Arizona approval to implement work requirements for some Medicaid recipients Friday.

Tom Betlach, the longtime head of Arizona’s Medicaid program, will step down January 4 after working for the state for 27 years.

We congratulate AHCCCS on the implementation of AHCCCS Complete Care – a model surely to be duplicated elsewhere and one that will better serve patients, providers and everyone involved in the care for Arizonans for years to come.

Yes, the political fight of five years ago to restore and expand AHCCCS was brutal. But it was worth it.