Why it matters: This year’s conference theme is “Arizona hospitals: Commitment to care,” which underscores the essential role hospital leaders play in advancing quality, access and transformative care while strategically guiding complex organizations in service to patients, communities and Arizona’s healthcare future.
Our keynote speakers are:
Juan Bendana, best-selling author of “Confident by Choice,” speaker and trusted advocate to the world’s top performers – from Olympic athletes and Grammy-winning artists to top CEOs and Fortune 100 leaders, who will present on “Lead through change: Uncertain times demand more certain leaders.”
RaDonda Vaught, BSN, who will present on “When seconds change lives: Patient safety and system breakdowns.”
The big picture: View the 2-and-a-half day conference agenda here, including breakout sessions tracks with best practices in financial strategy and sustainability, innovation and artificial intelligence, and care excellence and patient safety.
What’s next: Register now to receive an early bird discount. This discount ends on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026.
Providers raise concerns over CMS Medicare enrollment crackdown
A proposed Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule to enhance Medicare program integrity is causing unease among healthcare providers, who fear it could lead to administrative burdens and target legitimate practitioners while addressing fraud.
Why it matters: Providers and industry groups support anti-fraud measures, but worry the new rule could entangle compliant organizations in lengthy reviews and delays.
The big picture: The policy would expand CMS’ authority to deny or revoke Medicare enrollment, aiming to prevent fraudulent activity.
What they’re saying: Critics argue the proposed standards are too broad and could impact organizations not involved in fraud.
CMS maintains that stronger safeguards are essential due to the significant cost of fraud to taxpayers.
The bottom line: While CMS emphasizes the need for robust enrollment rules to combat fraud, providers caution that the crackdown might increase red tape and affect legitimate entities not engaged in fraudulent activities.
What’s next: Industry stakeholders are monitoring the rulemaking process and may push for revisions to ensure anti-fraud efforts do not unintentionally impact compliant providers.
Go deeper: Read this article from Modern Healthcare (subscription required).
AHA supports bill addressing nursing workforce shortages
On Monday, July 27, 2026, the American Hospital Association (AHA) expressed support for the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025.
Why it matters: This legislation would establish state-based nursing workforce centers to improve understanding of workforce needs and develop evidence-based solutions to address nursing shortages.
What they’re saying:
“This legislation would support efforts to increase nursing faculty capacity, expand enrollment opportunities, strengthen leadership development, prepare nurses for public health emergencies and improve workforce distribution in rural and underserved communities.”
-Lisa Kidder Hrobsky, SVP, advocacy and political affairs, AHA
Trump Administration pushes hospitals to share emergency room records
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging hospitals to share detailed emergency room records to enhance its injury surveillance program, ostensibly to improve public safety by identifying dangerous products, but the data request raises significant privacy concerns.
Why it matters: Hospitals are alarmed by the scope of data requested, including identifiable patient information, and privacy advocates question the legality and safety of this data collection.
The stakes: The initiative could expose patients to new privacy risks and conflicts with existing health information regulations.
The bottom line: While the CPSC frames this as a modernization effort, the requirement for extensive data raises legal and privacy issues.
ADHS 2026 clinician survey: Evaluation and treatment of cognitive decline and dementia in Arizona
AzHHA is working with ADHS to help get the word out about this important survey and ensure the statewide data reflects the experiences of Arizona’s rural population.
Why it matters: There is a critical data gap regarding how clinicians are engaging and supporting patients with cognitive impairment and dementia diagnosis.
Feedback will influence the direction of the state’s plan, as well as statewide clinician education and patient support programs.
Eligibility: Any provider or caregiver involved with cognitive impairment and dementia screening, risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment and support.
How you can help:
Hospital leaders: Please invite your providers to participate by entering the ADRD clinician’s contact information here.
There are already more U.S. measles cases this year than in all of 2025
Measles cases in the U.S. have reached 2,318 as of Thursday, July 23, 2026, surpassing last year’s total and marking the highest level since 1991.
Why it matters: Declining vaccination rates and ongoing outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities have fueled this surge.
Outbreaks are reported in 45 jurisdictions, notably in South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Kindergarten MMR vaccination rates dropped to 92.5% in 2024-25, below the 95% needed for herd immunity.
The big picture: The U.S. risks losing its measles-elimination status, first achieved in 2000, as international health officials review the situation.
The bottom line: Vaccination remains the most effective defense against measles, a highly contagious disease with potential severe complications, especially for young children and vulnerable populations.
AzHHA releases DataGen report
In relationship with DataGen, AzHHA distributes reports to hospitals based on information submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. DataGen generates hospital-specific reports which are sent to AzHHA hospital members as part of their membership.
Why it matters: This data helps hospitals understand the financial impact of proposed changes and annual updates.
The reports can also assist in preparing budgets or benchmarking results with other similar organizations.
The below report was recently sent to members:
2024 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and Small Rural Prospective Payment System (PPS) Hospital Utilization Analysis (sent on Tuesday, July 7, 2026)
UPCOMING EVENTS
New CME: Diagnosis and Management of Dementia for Primary Care Physicians This free, one-hour CME teaches practical, evidence-based strategies to recognize, diagnose, communicate, manage symptoms and coordinate care for patients with dementia. Learn more about the course and how to register here.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 – Sidewalk to Bedside: Reimagining Care Through Street Medicine-Hospital Partnerships Symposium Join the University of Southern California for a free, in-person one-day symposium. This event brings together street medicine experts, hospital leaders, community organizations and health plans to explore how street medicine programs and hospitals can better partner to improve care before and after hospital discharge. Learn more and register.
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 and Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 – Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Practice: Bridging the Gap Between Diagnosis and Treatment Yavapai County Community Health Services is hosting two free, three-hour professional development classes in Cottonwood and Prescott to learn from medical experts in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia on how to bridge the gap between early diagnosis and effective treatment by improving screening practices and connecting patients and caregivers with valuable resources. Register here for the Cottonwood session on Sept. 11 and register here for the Prescott session on Sept. 12.
Oct. 21-23 – 2026 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference The 2026 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference will be held at the El Conquistador Tucson, a Hilton Resort on Oct. 21-23. This will be an inspirational gathering of more than 200 hospital and healthcare executives seeking opportunities for continuing education, meaningful discussion and relationship building. Registerby Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, to receive the early bird discount.
