Arizona State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC)

The SMAC advises the Director of AHCCCS or designee on policy, operations and administrative issues of the Medicaid program, including issues of concern to the community.

Mission and Purpose

The SMAC advises the Director of AHCCCS on policy, operations and administrative issues of the Medicaid program, including issues of concern to the community.

Authority

The SMAC operates in accordance with 42 CFR 431.12 (Code of Federal Regulations) and the Medicaid State Plan.

Bylaws

The bylaws for the SMAC were created in September 1992 and are reviewed annually, or on an as needed basis.

SMAC Bylaws

State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC) Members

The SMAC shall include the AHCCCS Director or designee, the Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) or a designee, and the Director of the Department of Economic Security (DES) or a designee.

The remaining authorized members shall be no less than seventeen (17), as follows:

Health care providers or professionals with a direct interest in the AHCCCS program;

Members of the public, (e.g. a Medicaid recipient, a consumer advocate, a representative of a tribal community, or a representative of the educational community, etc

Members are appointed for a two-year term and may serve three consecutive terms. After serving three consecutive terms members must wait 24 months before re-applying for a committee position.

  • Public/Community Members
    • Terry Benelli, Executive Director, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
    • Jennifer J. Burns, Director of Government Relations & Health Policy, Children's Action Alliance
    • Jane Jepson, Senior Director, Triumph Education
    • Vince Torres, Community Member/Advocate
    • Dina Norwood, Managing Attorney, Community Legal Services
    • Jill Anne Castle, Professor/Advocate/Consultant, Arizona State University
    • Diana “Dede” Yazzie Devine, Community Member/Advocate
    • Melissa Kotrys, CEO, Contexture
    • Tory Roberg, Director of Government Affairs, Alzheimer's Association, Desert Southwest Chapter
    • Serena Unrein, Community Member/Advocate
  • Provider/Professional Members
    • Katherine Andersen, Director of Health Information Management and Medical Staff; Privacy Officer, San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation
    • Jennifer Longdon, Chief External Affairs Officer, Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers
    • Dr. Aaron Knudson, Internal Medicine and Pediatric Hospitalist, Banner Page Hospital
    • Sara Wilson, President and CEO, Home Assist Health
    • Karen Resseguie, Behavioral Health Administrator, AllThrive 365
    • Dr. Jessica B. Peterkin, Dentist & Founder/CEO, Ministry of Dentistry, Inc
    • Vicki Staples, Director of OP Behavioral Health, Valleywise Health
    • Brittney Kaufmann, Chief Executive Officer, Health System Alliance of Arizona
    • Helena Whitney, Senior Vice President Policy & Advocacy, Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association
    • Ryan Johnson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Ryan Johnson & Associates, LLC
  • Ex-Officio Members
    • Roberta Harrison, Interim Director, AHCCCS Administration
    • Molly McCarthy, Deputy Director of Programs, AZ Department of Economic Security
    • Sheila Sjolander, Interim Director, AZ Department of Health Services

Membership Information

SMAC is always accepting nominations to serve. Committee member voting sessions take place annually during the October quarterly meeting as stated in the SMAC bylaws.

  • Public member positions (e.g. a Medicaid recipient, a consumer advocate, a representative of a tribal community, or a representative of the educational community, etc.)
  • Professional member positions (e.g. health care providers or professionals with a direct interest in the AHCCCS program)

If you would like to serve or nominate someone to serve on the SMAC, please fill out the nomination form below and send it to communityengagement@azahcccs.gov.

Nomination Form

For additional information on membership please contact Desiree Greene by email at communityengagement@azahcccs.gov.

Meeting Information

The State Medicaid Advisory Committee (SMAC) meets quarterly, chaired by the AHCCCS Director or designee. SMAC meetings are open to the public and include a public comment period at the end of the agenda. All SMAC meetings have a virtual component that can be accessed via webinar or telephone. Presentations and/or meeting materials are available in PDF format and posted online. Please also see below for all historical meeting materials, under the "Archived SMAC Meeting Materials" drop down.

AHCCCS Document Archive

If you are looking for previous summaries, please visit the AHCCCS Document Archive.