Behavioral health funding for Native Americans in Arizona: policy implications for states and tribes

This article examines the principal structures and mechanisms used by federal and state government to fund the behavioral health needs of Native American Indians. Using Arizona as a case study, the article provides an overview of both federal and state programs, especially Medicaid, discussing the problems and strengths of each. The article concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of these programs for both states and tribes, focusing on issues concerning administrative complexity, tribal sovereignty, improving behavioral health services, and assignment of financial risk.