Housing access and stability are primary health-related social needs (also referred to as social determinants of health) that impact individuals’ wellbeing. Like the rest of the nation, Arizona is battling a housing affordability crisis, as well as a housing shortage. At the 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference, healthcare leaders discussed ways they … Read more

A key aspect of identifying and reducing health disparities is data collection, which is an area of focus for Arizona healthcare leaders. State health officials met at the 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference last month to discuss improvements to data collection across the state. Siman Qaasim works as the assistant director for … Read more

Arizona currently has a total of 722 health professional shortage areas, which spans 395 facilities. A central priority for the Arizona healthcare sector is retaining the healthcare workforce, which was a topic of discussion at the 2023 Arizona State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Workforce leaders discussed retention issues and strategies for recruiting young students.  … Read more

Maricopa County recently announced 12 local organizations that will receive about $2 million of its $80 million in national opioid settlement funds that were negotiated between states, Tribal nations, and opioid distributors and manufacturers. Arizona is expected to receive $542 million over 18 years.  One of Maricopa County’s awardees include Live and Learn Arizona, a … Read more

Postpartum coverage for Medicaid-eligible pregnant Arizonans has been expanded from 60 days up to one year. The coverage expansion went into effect on April 1st, and will help improve health outcomes of birthing parents and children and increase access to life-saving healthcare services.  “Medicaid covers more than half the births in Arizona. Extending postpartum coverage … Read more

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is in the process of requesting an amendment to the state’s active 1115 demonstration that would provide permanent payments to parents who act as paid caregivers for their minor children. In the demonstration, AHCCCS also seeks to create homecare training and family support services as part of … Read more

As countries across the globe experience extreme weather events due to climate change, Arizona faces its own heat and sun-related challenges. To combat sun and heat exposure risks in the state, the University of Arizona has developed a skin cancer detection tool. Simultaneously, the Arizona Burn Center released their annual “Streets of Fire” report relating … Read more

The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) automatically renewed 67 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries last month, with the regular renewal process having begun in April. Medicaid eligibility renewals are taking place throughout every state in the country, and Arizona expects to redetermine the eligibility of about 2.5 million individuals until March of 2024. During … Read more

Earlier this year, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) wrote to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting an amendment to the state’s Medicaid 1115 Research and Demonstration Waiver. AHCCCS seeks to waive eligibility conditions and automatically renew Medicaid coverage for individuals who were in the state’s foster care system as … Read more

After warming approximately two degrees Fahrenheit within the last century, Arizona is expected to see a continued increase in extreme weather events, including heat, fires, and floods. Extremely hot days can not only be unhealthy, but they can also be deadly. The state of Arizona continues to address these dangers through education and emergency plans.  … Read more