



"Literally every day we are seeing patients call and show up who we literally can't treat," he said.





"They're ending up in the ER. One young fellow we just saw has been in the emergency room twice and admitted once for a simple problem that would have been a $20 office visit."





Armstrong said the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS, the state's Medicaid program) could solve the problem by allowing foot doctors to see diabetics.





"I am likely the least cynical fellow I know, but man, this is really growing on us," he said.





In addition to defunding certain transplants and podiatrist visits, other AHCCCS cuts that took effect Oct. 1 include most dental care, insulin pumps and cochlear implants.