Medicaid fraud

As Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Senator Werner has led five oversight hearings investigating more than $2.8 billion in criminal fraud involving Arizona’s Medicaid system. Her work exposed failures within AHCCCS and gave victims, patients, and honest providers a voice. She continues to push state and federal law enforcement to pursue fraudsters who exploited taxpayers and vulnerable Native American communities.

Helping vulnerable children

After several tragic child deaths exposed serious failures within Arizona's child welfare systems, Senator Werner brought together families, law enforcement, child welfare experts, educators, and agency officials to identify what went wrong. That investigation produced a bipartisan package of new laws requiring stronger abuse investigations, faster forensic interviews, better information sharing, and closer review of a child’s history with DCS.

Protecting kids at school

Senator Werner passed legislation requiring school employees to report suspected abuse directly to law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety. The law also strengthens protections for employees who report abuse and helps ensure allegations are investigated by trained professionals rather than handled internally by a school.

Addressing Arizona’s doctor shortage

Too many Arizona families wait weeks or months to see a doctor. Senator Werner passed a bipartisan law requiring Arizona’s public medical schools to interview in-state applicants, helping more Arizona students attend medical school, complete their training, and build their careers serving patients here in Arizona.

Improving care for the SMI population

Senator Werner championed a $5 million investment in secure behavioral-health residential facilities for individuals with serious mental illness who need intensive, court-ordered treatment. This work expands access to appropriate care, supports families in crisis, and helps keep patients out of emergency rooms, jails, and other facilities that can't meet their needs.

Protecting Arizona’s healthcare workers

Senator Werner passed first-in-the-nation protections for doctors, nurses, and medical staff who face repeated radiation exposure while performing lifesaving procedures. Her legislation modernizes workplace protections, improves radiation monitoring, and allows medical professionals to use advanced safety systems that reduce both radiation exposure and injuries caused by wearing heavy lead equipment.