A transfer of over $10 million to Arizona behavioral health contractors has been put on hold by the state Legislative Finance Committee.
NMInDepth.com reports LFC Director David Abbey has stopped the transfer so that the committee can review the request from the Human Services Department.
Abbey explained in a letter dated August 2 that HSD had not provided enough information about alleged fraud by 15 New Mexico behavioral health service providers to explain the departments decision to remove top administrators and shift management to the Arizona providers.
Abbey’s objection merely delays the money transfer the administration wants to make. It doesn’t stop it. The state law Abbey cites prohibits an objected-to transfer from going “into effect until it is reviewed by the legislative finance committee.”
A public hearing has been scheduled for August 21st in Chama.
