State of Arizona reaches deal with Hacienda to keep unit open

PHOENIX — Two Arizona agencies have stepped in to prevent Hacienda HealthCare from closing the unit of its Phoenix facility where an incapacitated woman gave birth late last year after being sexually assaulted.

Meeting a Friday afternoon deadline, Hacienda agreed to give the Arizona Department of Health Services licensing authority over the Intermediate Care Facility for the Intellectually Disabled unit.

Earlier in the day, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (the state’s Medicaid agency) and the state Department of Economic Security had issued a 4 p.m. deadline for Hacienda to respond to a request for information about its plan to close the unit.

“Given the high medical risks associated with transferring these patients, moving this medically fragile community is the option of last resort and not the state’s goal,” AHCCCS spokeswoman Heidi Capriotti said in email about the deal to keep the facility open.

“We are confident that with ADHS exercising licensing authority, and a continued commitment by AHCCCS and DES to do everything they can to ensure the health and safety of members, this is the best immediate outcome for all parties involved.”

A closure would have forced the relocation of nearly 40 intellectually disabled patients.

Patrick Ptak, a spokesman for Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, called the result “good news and the best immediate outcome.”

“Our agencies will continue to work with Hacienda to implement a voluntary regulatory agreement with strong oversight and accountability measures that ensure safety and quality care going forward for patients,” Ptak said in an email.

Under the agreement, Hacienda will have to devise a long-term plan and timeline that prioritizes health and safety at the intermediate care facility where the victim resided.

Hacienda will also have to employ an on-site evaluator to make sure necessary changes have been met. The care provider will have to work with an outside health care consultant until the state finds it is in compliance. All these conditions will also apply to the Skilled Nursing Facility, which shares the same campus.