ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATURE

 

AD HOC COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION OF COSTS

AND SERVICES RELATED TO ALCOHOL ADDICTION IN THE NORTHERN

ARIZONA REGION

 

 Minutes of the Meeting

Monday, August 20, 2012

10:00 a.m., Senate Caucus Room 1

 

Members Present:

Senator Sylvia Allen, Chair

Joe Vernon (representing Alan Everett)

Senator Jack Jackson Jr.

Dr. Mick Pattinson

The Honorable Robin Boyd

William Pribil

Brad Carlyon

Joan Serviss

Dr. Steven Dingle

The Honorable Tom M. White Jr.

 

Members Absent:

Kelly Clark

The Honorable Jeff Hill

Larry Curley

Dr. Frank Scarpati

The Honorable Bill Diak

 

 

Staff:

Marianne Yamnik, Senate Research Analyst

 

Senator Jackson called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m. and attendance was noted.

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

Introductions were made of those in attendance (Attachment A).

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Department of Health Services on Substance Abuse Grant

 

Claudia Sloan, Arizona Department of Health Services, distributed a handout entitled “Abstract" (Attachment B) and a handout entitled “Accessing/Paying for Behavioral Health Services” (Attachment C).  Ms. Sloan gave an overview on substance abuse grants and answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System on Avoided Capitation Costs

 

Jennifer Carusetta, Legislative Liaison, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, gave an overview on avoided capitation costs and answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Report by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on Liquor Tax

 

Eric Billings, Joint Legislative Budget Committee, distributed a handout entitled “Liquor Luxury Tax” (Attachment D) and gave an overview on the liquor luxury tax.      Mr. Billings answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Report on the Potential of Tribal Financial Contributions

 

Senator Allen informed the Committee the report would be given at the next Committee meeting.

 

Discussion of Legislative Proposals and Alternatives

 

Dr. Pattinson distributed a handout entitled “Colorado Model for State-Licensed       Non-Medical Social Detoxification Program” (Attachment E) and gave an overview of the Colorado Model.  Dr. Pattinson answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Discussion of Detainment Duration and Process

 

Dr. Pattinson discussed the detainment duration and process, and answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Diana Yazzie Devine, President/CEO – Native American Connections, explained the difference between social detox and medical facility detox programs. Ms. Devine answered questions posed by the Committee.

 

Discussion of Other Possible Solutions

 

Senator Jackson stated that it is important to have enough information for the Legislature to address the issue at the next legislative session.

 

Meghaen Duger, Lobbyist, Magellan Health Services of Arizona, suggested the Committee take the current statutes and overlay it with alternatives that were discussed.  Senator Allen suggested appointing a subcommittee.

 

Public Policy Discussion

 

Senator Allen discussed the issues other states have encountered with this public policy area and the importance of developing a process to move the individual to the next step and to provide long-term assistance.  She emphasized her desire to help the individual and find a way to break the cycle.

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion on Funding

 

Senator Allen raised the following issues:

 

1.    Target the money for the counties.

2.    Develop partnership with correctional facility.

3.    Upgrades on the medical facility, county jail, kitchen and laundry.

    

Senator Allen discussed the budgetary concerns for Navajo and Apache Counties and the desire to assist the citizens with certain services.  She suggested a statutory change to utilize the grant money.

 

Mr. William Pribil stated that permissive legislation is preferable to mandated legislation so that it is not a big burden on the counties such as Coconino, Apache and Navajo. If given the option, the counties think they can build a coalition and find the money. With legislation in place, and if they can find the revenue, then they can move forward.        Mr. Pribil also stated that this has to be a community driven program.

 

Senator Allen stated the need to have a county tax for funding in conjunction with a state appropriation.

 

Senator Jackson questioned the amount of money brought in from the liquor tax. Senator Jackson questioned what will happen after the grant expires in five years.

 

Ms. Sloan stated after five years the Department of Health Services will look at health savings accounts or Medicaid programs.

 

Shawn Thiele, Deputy CEO, Magellan Health Services of Arizona, requested that data on the various programs and performances from other regions be available at the next Committee meeting in order to evaluate the regional approach.

 

Senator Allen stated the next meeting is scheduled for September 24, 2012 at         10:00 a.m.

 

Attached is a list noting the individuals who requested to speak (Attachment F).

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:42 a.m.

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                                                    Toy Brown

                                                                                    Committee Secretary

 

(Audio recordings and attachments are on file in the Secretary of the Senate’s Office/Resource Center, Room 115.

 

 

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Ad Hoc Committee on Intergovernmental Coordination

of Costs and Services Related to Alcohol

Addiction in the Northern Arizona Region

August 20, 2012

Page 1

 

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