Arizona State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC)
The State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC) reviews and advises the Medicaid agency on the operations, programs, and planning for Arizona's Medicaid program. Provided are the following:
The SMAC advises the Director of AHCCCS on policy, operations and administrative issues of the Medicaid program, including issues of concern to the community.
The SMAC operates in accordance with 42 CFR 431.12 (Code of Federal Regulations) and the State Medicaid Plan.
The bylaws for the SMAC were created in September 1992 and are reviewed annually, or on an as needed basis.
SMAC Bylaws [PDF, 37KB]
SMAC is composed of a 15-member committee and includes the following:
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6 - Members of the public
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6 - Health care providers or professionals
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3 - Ex-officio Members (AHCCCS, DHS, DES Directors, or their designees)
Members are appointed for two-year terms. Appointments are made on a staggered basis with half the public and professional/provider members completing their terms annually.
- Ex-Officio Members
- Thomas J. Betlach, Director, AHCCCS Administration
- Kathy Waite, DES/AHCCCS Liaison, AZ Dept. of Economic Security
- Dr. Sundin Applegate, Medical Director, Public Health Prevention Services, AZ Dept. of Health Services
- Provider/Professional Members
- Tara McCollum Plese, Director of Government & Media Relations, AZ Association of Community Health Centers
- Kathy Byrne, Executive Director, El Rio Community Health Center
- Jezreel Ramirez, Program Coordinator, Regional Center for Border Health
- Kathleen Collins Pagels, Executive Director, Arizona Health Care Association
- Kevin Earle, MBA, MPH, Executive Director, Arizona Dental Association
- Public Members
- Phil Pangrazio, AZ Bridge for Independent Living
- Dr. Leonard Kirschner, Arizona Perinatal Trust
- David Mitchell, State Director, AARP Arizona
- Kim VanPelt, Associate Director, St. Luke's Health Initiative
