A partial eligibility freeze for Arizona's Medicaid program takes effect Friday.

Arizona will delay Friday's scheduled start of a partial enrollment freeze for its Medicaid program because federal officials are still considering the state's implementation plan.

The Social Security Administration began opening new claims-hearing offices to speed up the process in particularly congested areas. Last year, Phoenix was selected for one such office, which joined existing offices in Phoenix and Tucson.

Mike Colletto, a lobbyist for the Professional Fire Fighters of Arizona who has been in a wheelchair for 32 years, dealt with depression until waking up one morning and deciding to look at the “positive side.”