ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
detoxification services;
rural areas
Appropriates, subject to the availability of monies, $500,000 annually from the medically needy account for detoxification programs.
Laws 1995, Chapter 275 established the detoxification
services pilot program by appropriating $500,000 in each of FYs 1995-1996 and
1996-1997 from the tobacco tax and health care fund medically needy account. These pilot programs were established to
determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of having behavioral health
facilities deliver detoxification services to indigent or uninsured people who
do not require the services of a hospital or restrictive behavior management
practices.
Directed specifically at counties with a population below
500,000, the rural county detoxification services programs provide “social
model” detoxification and treatment programs in the rural areas of Yuma and
Page.
In 2000, Page served 330 adults and Yuma served 243 adults. Appropriations for this program were
continued in FYs 1997-1998 through 1999-2000;
however, funding was not continued last year. While the Yuma and Page
facilities are both funded in part with city, county funds and other outside
funds, their primary funding source was lost.
As a result, the Governor issued executive orders 11 and
12 allocating up to $250,000 from the health crisis fund for each of the
detoxification centers established for the pilot program. These monies were allocated on an emergency
basis, and will not extend past the year.
S.B. 1537 continues funding for this program by appropriating, subject to
availability, $500,000 annually beginning in FY 2001-2002 for detoxification services
in rural areas.
Provisions
1. Requires the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System administration to transfer, subject to the availability of monies, $500,000 annually from the medically needy account for programs providing detoxification services in counties with a population under 500,000.
2. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 16, 2001