Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association outlines victories in 2021 legislative report

By

Soraya Marashi

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On Tuesday, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) released its 2021 Legislative Report, which presents a high-level overview of bills in which AzHHA engaged in the last legislative session, particularly those related to AzHHA’s legislative priorities.

In a written statement, AzHHA President and Chief Executive Officer Ann-Marie Alameddin said:

“There is still more work ahead of us as we continue to adapt and learn from the pandemic, but through this legislative session, our achievements have been significant.”

The report highlights the AzHHA’s five legislative priorities that were successfully addressed in the 2021 legislative session: 

  • “Protect $3 billion in [Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)] programs and funding”
    • Addressed by Senate Bill 1096
  • Civil liability protection for providers during a public health emergency”
    • Addressed by Senate Bill 1377
  • “Improving access and reimbursement for telehealth”
    • Addressed by House Bill 2454
  • “Expanding telepharmacy for small rural hospitals”
    • Addressed by Senate Bill 1604
  • “Reducing the administrative burden of prior authorization”
    • Addressed by House Bill 2621

The report also highlights key measures related to AzHHA’s interests in the 2021-2022 state budget, including a limit on the governor’s authority to proclaim a state of emergency; state funding for things like graduate medical education programs, student loans repayment programs, expanding newborn screenings, and high-risk perinatal in-home visits; prohibiting state or local governments from requiring residents to receive COVID-19 vaccinations; and allowing health care institutions to require their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. 

In addition to pursuing their five main legislative priorities, AzHHA includes 17 other key pieces of health care related legislation they say they influenced in both the House of Representatives and Senate. A high-level summary of several of these bills are listed below:

 

  • AzHHA held a neutral position regarding House Bill 2069, which concerns privacy policies for genetic testing. AzHHA successfully sought an amendment to the bill that would hold hospitals harmless. The bill was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, with an effective date of Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA opposed House Bill 2190 that prevented certain businesses and health care institutions from requiring a COVID-19 vaccine to receive service. The bill failed in the Senate.

 

  • AzHHA opposed House Bill 2386, which required the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to adopt a crisis standards of care plan. The bill was signed by Gov. Ducey, with an effective date of Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA supported House Bill 2454 concerning state-regulated health insurers reimbursing audio-visual telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person visits. This bill aligned with one of the AzHHA’s legislative priorities, and was signed by Gov. Ducey with an effective date of May 5, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding House Bill 2575, which requires hospitals to provide notice of its visitation policy to the patient or the patient’s representative. The bill was signed by Gov. Ducey with an effective date of Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding House Bill 2620, which changes the classification of assault on a health care provider from a class 6 felony to a class 5 penalty, and also requires health care employers to develop a workplace violence prevention plan. The bill was held in the Senate Committee.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding House Bill 2621, which requires the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions to approve a uniform prior authorization request form for prescription drugs and other medical equipment, as well as for other health care procedures, treatments, and services by Jan. 2022. This bill aligns with one of the AzHHA’s legislative priorities, and was signed by Gov. Ducey with an effective date of Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA strongly supported Senate Bill 1096, which increases the AHCCCS expenditure authority. This bill aligns with one of the AzHHA’s legislative priorities, and the bill was signed by Gov. Ducey with an effective date of March 18, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding Senate Bill 1270, which requires an insurer’s clinical review criteria to include a step therapy protocol. The bill was signed by Gov. Ducey and went into effect on Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA supported Senate Bill 1377 which protects businesses, governments, and health care providers and institutions from lawsuits related to their public health emergency responses after March 11, 2020. This bill aligns with one of the AzHHA’s legislative priorities. The bill was signed by Gov. Ducey and is effective from and after March 11, 2020.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding Senate Bill 1457 that prohibits abortion based on genetic abnormality. AzHHA successfully sought an amendment to the bill that would hold hospitals harmless. The bill was signed by Gov. Ducey and took effect on Sep. 29, 2021.

 

  • AzHHA held a “monitor” position regarding Senate Bill 1680, requiring ADHS’s newborn screening program to include all disorders that are included on the federal recommended uniform screening panel. The bill was held in the House of Representatives.

 

The report also includes an overview of COVID-19 related legislation that passed during the 2021 session, followed by information on the AzHHA Political Action Committee.