September 2, 2023

I just listened to a radio story on NPR describing an ongoing state and federal investigation into what the author refers to as ‘fake sober homes’ that prey on vulnerable individuals in Arizona.  I thought you might be interested in this.

Here’s a link to the story/radio article:  Use this link:  https://www.npr.org/2023/08/31/1196855614/fake-sober-homes-targeting-native-americans-scam-millions-from-taxpayers

According to the story, “there have been 45 indictments in connection with the fraud by the Arizona Attorney-General’s office, and more than 100 more facilities have been suspended. The FBI’s investigation is ongoing, in tandem with state and tribal authorities. Arizona’s Medicaid agency is conducting an audit and the amount of money that can be claimed per Native person treated has been reduced.”

All of this reminds me of a situation we all heard about many years ago regarding a group of SUD treatment providers in New Mexico that were suspended from the state’s Medicaid Program while under investigation.  As I recall, some of the impacted providers in New Mexico did not survive suspension from the state Medicaid Program that dragged on for some time.

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Last week, David Lombardo interviewed Dr. Chinazo Cunningham and State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald regarding the current and future work of the new Opioid Overdose Prevention Inter-Agency Taskforce.  Here’s the radio interview:https://capitolpressroom.org/2023/08/30/opioid-overdose-taskforce-eyes-improved-government-collaboration/?mc_cid=0585ac3525&mc_eid=101f23c33c

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Additional articles of interest: 

In a Crisis, Schools Are 100,000 Mental Health Staff Short

The Washington Post, Donna St. George, 8.31.23

As More Teens Overdose on Fentanyl, Schools Face a Drug Crisis Unlike Any Other

NPR, Elissa Nadworny and Lee V. Gaines, 8.30.23

Fentanyl Is Killing Kids. State Lawmakers Are Searching for Answers.

Politico, Carmen Paun, 8.30.23