#United States #Phoenix #Arizona Medicaid #Janae Shamp #Patient First

Major Medicaid Fraud Investigation Unveiled by Arizona Leaders

On June 17, 2025, prominent Republican lawmakers, including Arizona Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp and House Majority Leader Michael Carbone, will hold a pivotal press conference in Phoenix. This event aims to shed light on a comprehensive investigative report that reveals extensive fraud within the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the agency tasked with overseeing Medicaid in the state.

Urgent Call to Action

Members of the media have been strongly urged to attend this important gathering, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. in the Arizona State Senate Majority Caucus Room. The conference will present alarming statistics, including that AHCCCS only performed asset verifications on a mere 23% of the 388,000 Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid enrollees. This lack of oversight has uncovered that over 20,000 recipients who do not financially qualify have fraudulently enrolled in Arizona Medicaid, costing taxpayers an estimated $6 billion annually.

Senate Majority Leader Janae Shamp has highlighted the critical need for accountability in this matter, stating, "The #MedicaidMillionaires scandal in Arizona calls for immediate reform. We cannot allow millionaires to exploit Medicaid resources meant for our most vulnerable citizens."

Key Findings from the Report

The investigative report will present compelling evidence, such as:

• - Federal data indicating that 49,084 individuals in Arizona are receiving public assistance while simultaneously enrolled in at least one other state’s Medicaid program.
• - Serious doubts regarding the accountability and management practices by the Arizona administration, raising questions about their capability to effectively oversee Medicaid.

Shannon Burns, a Senior Advisor to the Patient First Coalition, will also be present at the event. She stated, "The leadership demonstrated by Sen. Shamp amplifies the urgent action needed to address the #medicaidmillionaires scandal. Furthermore, we urge the Congressional Budget Office to reassess and revise the savings linked to the insufficient asset verification of Medicaid rolls nationwide. We believe this could lead to a saving of over $200 billion per year if proper evaluations are conducted."

The Role of the Patient First Coalition

The Patient First Coalition advocates for healthcare reforms that prioritize affordability, transparency, and individual liberties, aligning with President Trump's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda. The Coalition strives to ensure the integrity of Medicaid by implementing reforms that safeguard taxpayer resources.

In line with this mission, the Coalition will host its inaugural national conference, Healthy America 2025, scheduled from July 23-25 in Washington, D.C. This event will gather policy leaders, healthcare experts, and grassroots advocates to further advance the MAHA agenda.

Conclusion

This conference is not just another political event; it marks a crucial undertaking in the fight against Medicaid fraud in Arizona. With taxpayer money on the line and the integrity of the Medicaid system at stake, the revelations presented could lead to significant legislative and administrative changes aimed at halting the misuse of funds. The Patient First Coalition emphasizes that immediate reform is essential to protect taxpayers and uphold the integrity of Medicaid programs across the nation.

For more information about the press conference, contact Kim Quintero, Director of Communications for Arizona Senate Republicans, or visit Patient First Coalition.