The last opportunity to advance bills at the Arizona Legislature.
Joining the AzHHA PAC and supporting Arizona hospitals.
Registration for the 2026 AzCHER Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Conference.
Final stretch: Last opportunity to advance bills
The bottom line: Next week is the final opportunity for bills to be heard in the opposite chamber at the Arizona Legislature.
The deadline is Friday, March 27, 2026, and committees are adding items to agendas to advance measures.
Session snapshot:
Days of session: 67
Bills posted: 1,966
Bills passed: 20
Bills vetoed: 15
Bills signed: 5
What it means: Although the session is well underway, few bills have been enacted. The coming week will be critical in determining which proposals advance.
What happened this week
House HHS advances key priorities: The House Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee met on Monday and advanced two AzHHA priority bills with strong bipartisan support:
Why it matters: Both bills continue to gain broad support, positioning them well as they progress.
Still in play — radiation protection bills: Last week, we outlined concerns with the radiation protection system bill package. Although all three bills were scheduled for a Monday hearing, they were removed from the agenda at the sponsor’s request.
Where things stand now:
All three bills have been added to next week’s House HHS agenda.
The reason for the delay is unclear.
Stakeholder conversations are likely ongoing.
The takeaway: This issue remains unresolved. Next week’s hearing will be a key decision point.
Senate HHS activity pending: The Senate HHS Committee met on Wednesday and considered several bills AzHHA is monitoring.
Status: Final results were not available at the time of writing.
Next step: Members may review the agenda and track outcomes as they are posted.
The agenda is also expected to be full as the deadline approaches.
Why it matters: Committees will move quickly to hear remaining bills before the cutoff. Long agendas and extended hearings are expected as lawmakers make a final effort.
Why it matters: Decisions made at the Arizona Capitol and on Capitol Hill affect all aspects of hospital operations, including funding, workforce, patient access and operational flexibility.
How your support drives impact
Safeguard care: Preserves essential services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Influence outcomes: Strengthens the collective hospital voice on payment models, preparedness and oversight.
Build resilience: Supports policies that enable hospitals to serve patients, communities and the healthcare workforce over the long term.
The bottom line: Your contribution fuels the advocacy that keeps Arizona’s healthcare system strong and responsive.
Every dollar counts towards advancing health and healthcare in Arizona.
This year’s AzCHER Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Conference will be held June 9-10 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, Ariz.
This year’s theme is “Many voices, one mission: Advancing healthcare preparedness together.”
Why it matters: This year’s one-and-a-half-day conference features sessions shaped by member feedback and brings together experts across healthcare, public health and emergency management.
Topics include workplace violence, behavioral threat assessment, regulatory updates, lessons learned and coordinated response.
Day two offers in-depth workplace violence and active-shooter preparedness training, including targeted instruction and hands-on exercise development to strengthen prevention, response and recovery in healthcare settings.
OB emergency simulation training available to emergency departments across the state
AzHHA’s Workforce and Clinical Excellence team has secured additional funding to continue supporting the delivery of OB emergency simulation training for emergency departments across Arizona.
Why it matters: Obstetrical emergencies can have devastating consequences for the mother and baby, making early recognition and response essential.
The big picture: The OB emergency simulation covers preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage and maternal code scenarios.
Each session is two hours.
Four to five learners can participate in each session.
A facility can have up to four sessions in a day.
The bottom line: This training is available for free to members and nonmembers for emergency departments at OB and non-OB hospitals as well as standalone emergency departments.
AHA advertorial highlights how hospitals serve communities
Earlier this week, the American Hospital Association (AHA) published an advertorial in The Wall Street Journal.
Why it matters: The advertorial discusses several challenges hospitals and health systems are experiencing now, as well as efforts they are engaged in to make care more affordable.
What they’re saying:
“Hospitals are the heart of communities across America for one fundamental reason: They support patients whenever, wherever and however they need care. Our healthcare system did not become complicated overnight and to fix it will not be easy. It will require each of us — government, commercial insurers, drug companies, providers and patients — putting aside our differences to come together with real solutions that will truly make healthcare work better for everyone.”
Friday, April 10, 2026 – Arizona HFMA Spring Conference The Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) will host its Spring Conference at Scottsdale Stadium, bringing together healthcare finance leaders from across the state for a day of learning, insights and connection. This year’s program will focus on how analytics, artificial intelligence and leadership strategies are shaping reimbursement and financial decision-making. Sessions will include an AHCCCS update, AzHHA legislative insights, emerging trends in healthcare AI and the impacts of H.R. 1. Learn more and register here.
Friday, May 1, 2026 - From Crisis to Care: Improving Outcomes in Arizona’s Behavioral Health System The Arizona Public Health Association’s 98th Annual Conference will focus on strengthening Arizona’s behavioral health system and improving outcomes for people with mental and behavioral health needs. This year’s conference will highlight innovative strategies, evidence-based practices and policy approaches that move the system beyond crisis response and toward sustainable, person-centered care. Learn more and register.
June 9-10, 2026 - 2026 AzCHER Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Conference This year’s theme is “Many voices, one mission: Advancing healthcare preparedness together.” This year’s one-and-a-half-day conference features sessions shaped by member feedback and brings together experts across healthcare, public health and emergency management. Register now.
Save the Date: 2026 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference Mark your calendar for the AzHHA Foundation’s 2026 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference, taking place Oct. 21–23 at the El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort. This annual gathering brings together hospital and healthcare leaders from across the state for engaging discussions, networking and forward‑focused learning. Additional details, registration information and sponsorship opportunities will be shared in the coming months. Questions may be directed to communications@azhha.org.
