The big picture: This educational event is dedicated to supporting a vibrant healthcare delivery system, including a robust network of acute care, critical access, behavioral health and post-acute care hospitals.
This will be an inspirational gathering of more than 200 hospital and healthcare executives seeking opportunities for continuing education, meaningful discussion and relationship building.
CMS introduces Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Pilot Program
What is the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Pilot Program? From Jan. 1, 2026 through Dec. 31, 2031, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will pilot the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model across select regions, including Arizona.
The model will contract private technology partners who will leverage AI‑enabled prior authorization systems.
These systems will screen what CMS views as potentially low-value or fraud‑prone outpatient services before claims are paid, e.g. skin/tissue substitutes, nerve stimulators and knee arthroscopy.
WISeR specifically excludes inpatient-only services, emergency services and services that would pose a substantial risk to patients if delayed, and it does not apply to Medicare Advantage beneficiaries.
Why is CMS piloting this program? WISeR is meant to further CMS’s overarching goal of combating fraud, waste and abuse.
CMS’s intent is that “[t]he WISeR Model will help ensure people with Medicare receive the most appropriate care that supports the best health outcomes while decreasing costs and easing administrative burden on providers and suppliers who go through the prior authorization process.”
What does WISeR mean for providers? According to this CMS Fact Sheet, providers will have the choice of submitting a prior authorization request for the WISeR model’s selected items and services or go through a post-service/pre-payment medical review.
Those that choose the prior authorization route may either submit the prior authorization request directly to the WISeR technology partner or to their Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
For each selected service, a technology partner will receive a percentage of the reduction in savings that can be attributed to their reduction of wasteful or inappropriate care.
For more details, the full WISeR program as encoded in the Federal Register is available here.
HHS revokes access to certain federal health programs for undocumented immigrants
On Monday, July 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published in the Federal Register a notice rescinding a prior policy that extended certain federal public benefits to immigrants lacking permanent legal status.
Why it matters: The new policy broadens the range of federal health and social service programs considered “federal public benefits” under the 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which undocumented immigrants are ineligible to receive.
The programs now considered to be “federal public benefits” include the following (HHS has indicated that they may add to the list of affected programs over time):
Health Center Program (section 330 grants, including FQHCs)
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant
Community Services Block Grant
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness & Workforce Grants
Title X Family Planning Program
Head Start
Although the notice allows a 30‑day public comment window ending on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, the policy is effective immediately.
Providers can expect forthcoming guidance outlining specific compliance requirements.
Join the AzHHA PAC and take a stand for Arizona hospitals
The AzHHA Political Action Committee (PAC) is our shared commitment to protecting healthcare access and quality across Arizona.
If you believe in strong hospitals, healthy communities and smart healthcare policy, then this is your cause.
Why it matters: Policy decisions made at the Arizona Capitol and on Capitol Hill directly shape the care available in your community.
By supporting the AzHHA PAC, you help ensure that hospitals in urban and rural areas, and everywhere in between, have a powerful voice at the state and federal levels.
The bottom line: Whether a one-time gift or a recurring commitment, your contribution helps shape a better tomorrow.
Becker’s Hospital Review community hospital presidents and CEOs to know
Becker’s Hospital Review recently released a list of “207 community hospital presidents and CEOs to know” in 2025.
The list is based on nominations and editorial research.
Congratulations toMaureen “Mimi” Coomler, president and CEO, Tucson Medical Center and AzHHA Board Chair Elect, and Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health and AzHHA Board Member, for their well-deserved inclusion on this list!
Mimi is recognized for helping transform Tucson Medical Center into a high-reliability organization focused on patient safety and operational excellence. She is currently overseeing a multi-phase renovation and expansion of the hospital’s emergency department.
Steve is recognized for leading the revival of Arizona’s only public teaching hospital system, culminating in the June 2024 opening of a new 10-story, 240-bed Valleywise Health Medical Center. Since 2013, he has driven over $170 million in financial improvements and led a $935 million bond initiative to transform facilities and services across Maricopa County.
Applications now open for AHA’s Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is now accepting applications for the Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award.
Why it matters: This award honors rural hospitals that are leading the way in innovative, sustainable and community-centered care.
What’s next: If your hospital is operating unique programs and services that address healthcare challenges in your community, submit an application by 10 a.m. Arizona time on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025.
Honorees will be recognized at the AHA’s Rural Health Care Leadership Summit in February 2026.
Member spotlight: Havasu Regional Medical Center
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Havasu Regional Medical Center announced that Dr. Kneller and the Havasu Heart and Vascular Team successfully performed their 100th ablation procedure.
Why it matters: This marks a significant milestone in advanced cardiac care for this region.
The catheter ablation procedure, used to treat atrial fibrillation, represents a minimally invasive treatment option that helps restore normal heart rhythm by targeting specific areas of heart tissue that cause irregular heartbeats.
The big picture: Before this service was available at Havasu Regional Medical Center, patients had to drive hours to Phoenix or Las Vegas for this specialized treatment.
Now, 100 local residents have had their heart rhythms restored close to home.
Saturday, July 19 - Back-to-school fair From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday at Excelencia School in Phoenix, the first 1,000 children to attend will get backpacks and school supplies. The event will also feature community resources and health screenings at no cost. Learn more.
Sept. 7-12 - National Tribal Health Conference This is a week-long event that serves American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes in the space of health - behavioral and public health. The conference will showcase the interconnectedness of policy, advocacy and Indian health best practices. Register now.
Friday, Sept. 26 - Arizona Bioethics Network 13th Annual Conference This hybrid event will bring together scholars from various disciplines to explore the ethical questions that shape health in a global context. This year’s conference theme is “The Interconnected World: The Ethics of Global Health Policy.” Learn more and register.
Oct. 29-31 – 2025 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference The 2025 Arizona Hospital Leadership Conference will be held at the exquisite Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson on Oct. 29-31. 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 Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, to receive an early bird discount.
