Medicaid fraud targeting Indigenous communities continues despite AHCCCS reforms

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Medicaid fraud targeting Indigenous communities continues despite AHCCCS reforms

Nearly three years after Arizona officials uncovered a $2.5 billion Medicaid fraud scheme targeting Native Americans seeking addiction treatment, the state is still grappling with the fallout—and the fraud itself.

Though Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System officials say the crisis has stabilized in response to investigations and enforcement, they acknowledge that fraudulent activity continues.

The number of new behavioral health fraud investigations has dropped from about 1,400 cases in 2023 to 270 as of August 2025. By comparison, just nine such cases were opened statewide in 2019, before the scheme came to light.

Advocates say bad actors continue to target people enrolled in the American Indian Health Program through social media and informal networks, steering them into unstable substance use treatment programs.

“Despite public exposure, investigations, lawsuits, media coverage and legislative attention, the same harmful practices remain active,” said Reva Stewart, a Diné activist who has worked with victims and families since the scandal surfaced. “The system has not been fixed. It has only adapted.”

Meanwhile, legitimate providers say efforts to crack down on fraud have delayed payments and disrupted care. During recent legislative hearings, providers testified that hundreds of thousands of dollars in claims remain unpaid or under review, forcing difficult decisions about staffing and services.

Now, lawmakers are proposing sweeping structural changes to how Arizona oversees the American Indian Health Program—including shifting day-to-day administration to an outside managed care organization. Supporters say the move is necessary to close oversight gaps that allowed the fraud to flourish. But AHCCCS officials warn of costs, logistical hurdles and federal compliance concerns.

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interrupted______HILLARY CLINTON EPSTEIN TESTIMONY CLOSED DOORS: Unauthorized Image Leak

Hillary Clinton’s closed-door deposition in the congressional Jeffrey Epstein investigation was paused on Thursday after Rep. Lauren Boebert allegedly shared a photo of the proceedings with a right-wing influencer.

Lauren Boebert’s photo leak to influencer prompts chaos at Hillary Clinton Epstein deposition

YouTube

LiveNOW from FOX · 26 minutes ago

FIRST PHOTO: Hillary Clinton deposition photo leaked, halts testimony

Uploaded: Feb 26, 2026

YouTube

C-SPAN · 44 minutes ago

Hillary Clinton Deposition Paused Due to Unauthorized Photo from Rep. Lauren Boebert

Influencer Benny Johnson said the photo came from Rep. Lauren Boebert

“The first image of Hillary Clinton testifying under oath about Jeffery Epstein to the Republican Oversight Committee,”

---- influencer Benny Johnson wrote on X, in a post featuring a photo of Clinton.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/HCGb5eUWEAAQUV_?format=jpg&name=360x360

"This is the first time Hillary has had to answer real questions about Epstein. Clinton does not look happy.”

After the post, Clinton adviser Nick Merrill told Politico that the deposition went off the record “while they figure out where the photo came from and why possibly members of Congress are violating House rules.”

Hillary Clinton's Epstein deposition continues after rightwing influencer posted photo of closed-door hearing: Live update

Independent

Hillary Clinton’s Epstein deposition continues after rightwing influencer posted photo of closed-door hearing: Live update

Hillary Clinton told lawmakers she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and did not recall meeting him

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Thursday, February 26, 2026