Arizona Could Lose Stimulus Money

State officials say Arizona could lose $1.6 billion in federal stimulus funding. A federal agency has determined that Arizona is not in compliance with a prohibition against health care rollbacks. The Arizona Republic reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has determined that the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System violates a stimulus program prohibition against tightened eligibility standards. AHCCCS requires that some enrollees requalify every six months instead of once a year. The federal agency has given Arizona until July 1 to make corrections. Governor Jan Brewer has asked the US Department of Health and Human Services to reverse the determination. She says Arizona’s requirement is not restrictive but merely a matter of timing.