In this edition of “5 Things We’re Watching” in Arizona, we take a look at some of the health-related legislation moving through the legislature. We also include updates on the state’s Medicaid redetermination plan and the delay in Gov. Hobbs’s appointment for the new director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. If you have … Read more
The Arizona Senate Health and Human Services committee met on Tuesday and passed 15 healthcare-related bills, sending them to the Senate floor for further consideration. After a brief report of Arizona’s Child Fatality Review Program from 2022, which showed that Arizona’s highest child mortality rate in 10 years was in 2021, members discussed Senate Bill … Read more
This month’s newsletter includes a breakdown of recommendations presented to the Arizona House’s Teen Mental Health Ad Hoc Committee, the Arizona Center for Rural Health’s proposals for continuing to support the struggling rural health workforce, and insight from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association about mitigating the decreasing financial operating margins that Arizona hospitals are … Read more
In this month’s edition of “5 Things We’re Watching” in Arizona, we explore a recent ruling concluding the inadequacy of health care in Arizona prisons, a conversation with Rep. Athena Salman, and an initiative heading to the ballot this fall that aims to reduce the burden of medical debt on patients. Thanks for reading! Eli … Read more
The Arizona State Hospital (ASH) in Phoenix—the state’s only public psychiatric hospital, governed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)—has received multiple complaints alleging insufficient governance over the past decade. Advocates argue these allegations must be addressed by requiring independent oversight of the facility rather than having it governed by ADHS. A bill in … Read more
The Arizona Legislature has passed its scheduled April 23rd end date and, as is often the case, voted to extend the legislative session further to finish work on bills and the budget. This newsletter includes our recent coverage of some of the health bills lawmakers have been developing in the past few weeks. We’re a … Read more
We’re thrilled to have recently kicked off the agenda development process for the 2022 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Through this carefully thought-out process, we work closely with stakeholders and within our team to curate conversations and speakers that will be of utmost interest to our Arizona audience. If you haven’t already, register to join us in Phoenix … Read more
Building off of a bill he passed last year in the Arizona Legislature allowing clergy to visit patients in hospitals, Rep. Quang Nguyen (R – Prescott) is sponsoring a bill to implement the same visitation rights for residents of long-term care facilities. The legislation passed the House with a near-unanimous vote last month and was … Read more
The legislative session is at about the halfway point and lawmakers are working to advance their health bills—some of which are included below. The last day for each chamber to consider its own bills was last Friday. Also in this newsletter: insight on bipartisanship and policy priorities from Rep. Shah, a conversation on hospital capacity … Read more
Several noteworthy bills were discussed in recent health committee meetings in the Arizona Legislature. Senate Bill (SB) 1163 was introduced at the Senate Health Committee meeting on Feb. 2. Sponsored by Sen. Nancy Barto (R – Phoenix), the bill would allow an eligible manufacturer, pursuant to all federal safety rules and guidelines, to … Read more