Attorney General Tom Horne Obtains Additional $48 Million for Arizona AHCCCS

Phoenix, AZ (Tuesday, April 23, 2013) – Attorney General Tom Horne today announced that Arizona would receive an additional $48 million for the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) as a result of a settlement reached in the pending tobacco enforcement case. This is in addition to the $100 million per year Arizona normally receives under the Tobacco Settlement. The final installment of $12 million is expected to be received today.

Horne stated: “When I took office, this case was the biggest liability facing Arizona. In the worst case scenario, it could have cost our state approximately $1 billion in lost payments. Under this settlement, Arizona not only does not lose, but the $48 million that had been held in escrow as part of a claim by the tobacco companies is being released to the state at this time.”

This was a 20-state settlement, in which Arizona was a leading negotiator. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office was assisted by Mike Parrish as outside Counsel.