AzHHA urges CMS to protect Arizona’s Medicaid funding framework
The big picture: AzHHA submitted comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule governing provider taxes, warning that key provisions could undermine the financial structure that supports Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans.
Why it matters: Arizona is unique because hospitals, not the state’s General Fund, finance the non-federal share of coverage for nearly 700,000 Medicaid beneficiaries through hospital assessments.
Those assessments also help fund provider payment initiatives that expand access to care across the state.
What AzHHA supports:
CMS’s goal of ensuring provider taxes comply with federal requirements.
Maintaining the long-standing net patient revenue methodology.
Proposed changes that largely align with existing state practices and minimize disruption.
The concerns:
The proposal could exceed what Congress authorized in recent legislation.
New compliance requirements may create significant financial uncertainty for states and providers.
Retrospective monitoring could impose limits years after taxes are collected.
Additional administrative requirements would increase costs without improving oversight.
Reduced flexibility could threaten stable Medicaid financing mechanisms.
AzHHA’s recommendations:
Allow states flexibility in selecting the most representative 12-month measurement period.
Preserve prospective compliance standards and provide clear safe harbors for states.
Evaluate hospital taxes using a combined inpatient and outpatient approach.
Withdraw provisions that exceed statutory requirements and delay new discretionary policies.
The bottom line: AzHHA emphasized that changes to Arizona’s hospital assessment structure could directly impact Medicaid coverage and access to care.
The association is urging CMS to adopt a more measured approach that protects state flexibility, maintains funding stability and ensures continued access to care for vulnerable populations while preserving the integrity of the Medicaid program.
Is your ballot coming by mail? Check your early voting status now.
Why it matters: Early ballots for the Nov. 3 General Election will be sent on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.
If you plan to vote by mail, now is the time to make sure your name is on Arizona's early voting list and your address is current.
The big picture: What many Arizonans still call the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) is now the Active Early Voting List (AEVL).
If you were on PEVL, you moved to AEVL automatically and don't need to do anything. Voters on the list automatically receive a ballot by mail for every election they're eligible to vote in.
The catch: The list isn't permanent anymore.
Voters can be removed if they don't vote early in at least one candidate election across two consecutive federal election cycles and don't respond to a notice from their county.
Removed voters stay registered but won't get a ballot in the mail.
How to check your status:
Statewide: Log in to the Arizona Voter Information Portal at my.arizona.vote to see your registration, AEVL status and ballot tracking.
Questions: Call 1-877-THE-VOTE or your County Recorder's office.
To register: Go to ServiceArizona.com and update your registration by choosing the AEVL option or send the AEVL request form to your County Recorder by mail, fax or email. You must have an Arizona mailing address.
Key dates for the Nov. 3 General Election:
Monday, Oct. 5: Last day to register or update your registration (11:59 p.m.)
Wednesday, Oct. 7: Early ballots mailed; in-person early voting begins
Friday, Oct. 23: Last day to join AEVL or request a one-time mail ballot for this election
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Recommended last day to mail your ballot back
Friday, Oct. 30: In-person early voting ends
Tuesday, Nov. 3: All ballots must be received by 7 p.m.
The bottom line: Two minutes on my.arizona.vote today can save a scramble in late October.
Check your status, confirm your address and share this with your colleagues.
Extension requested granted for Bicillin L-A
On Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Pfizer’s request to extend the shelf life of Bicillin L-A.
Why it matters: There is a national shortage of injectable penicillin — the only recommended treatment to prevent congenital syphilis.
The bottom line: Based on stability data provided by the manufacturer and reviewed by the FDA, the extended use dates are supported for specific lot numbers.
The big picture: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is giving Medicare Advantage insurers greater flexibility to expand service areas following acquisitions, a policy change that industry observers say could accelerate consolidation across the Medicare Advantage market.
Why it matters: Medicare Advantage enrollment continues to grow, while some plans face mounting financial and operational pressures.
The updated CMS approach could make it easier for stronger insurers to acquire struggling competitors and maintain coverage options for beneficiaries.
What changed:
CMS is making it easier for Medicare Advantage organizations to expand their service areas after acquiring another insurer.
The policy is intended to provide more flexibility when plans take over underperforming or struggling competitors.
Industry consultants say the change could streamline transactions and support faster market consolidation.
What stakeholders are watching:
Whether the policy encourages additional merger and acquisition activity among Medicare Advantage plans.
The impact on competition in local markets as larger insurers gain scale.
Potential effects on beneficiary choice, provider networks and plan availability.
The backdrop: Medicare Advantage insurers have faced increasing scrutiny over costs, reimbursement rates and regulatory requirements in recent years.
At the same time, some plans have struggled with profitability, creating pressure to seek strategic partnerships or acquisitions.
The bottom line: CMS’s new flexibility is designed to ensure continuity of coverage when Medicare Advantage plans change ownership, but it could also contribute to further consolidation in an already concentrated market.
Healthcare leaders will be watching closely to see whether the policy primarily stabilizes struggling plans or accelerates the growth of large national insurers.
Go deeper: Read this article from Modern Healthcare (subscription required).
Medicaid meal programs face uncertain future despite promising results
The big picture: State Medicaid programs that provide medically tailored meals to patients with serious health conditions are demonstrating improved health outcomes and lower healthcare costs, but funding pressures and policy uncertainty could threaten their future.
Why it matters: As states prepare for reduced federal Medicaid funding, programs that address food insecurity and nutrition may face increased scrutiny, even as evidence suggests they can prevent hospitalizations and reduce overall healthcare spending.
What the research shows:
A Massachusetts study found that Medicaid members receiving medically tailored meals for at least three months experienced 20% fewer emergency department visits and 31% fewer hospitalizations than comparable patients who did not receive the service.
Researchers found the programs can generate substantial savings by reducing healthcare utilization, particularly for patients with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, depression and anxiety.
Experts estimate that millions of Americans could benefit from medically tailored meal programs, though current enrollment remains limited.
The challenge:
The 2025 federal budget law reduced projected Medicaid funding, forcing states to evaluate spending priorities and consider program reductions.
Thirteen states currently have federal approval to use Medicaid funds for meal programs, while additional requests remain under review.
Federal officials have signaled greater scrutiny of Medicaid initiatives that address social determinants of health, creating uncertainty for states considering nutrition-based interventions.
A mixed policy environment:
While the Trump administration has highlighted the importance of nutrition and healthier foods in improving health outcomes, federal guidance on "food is medicine" programs remains unclear.
Some states are moving forward with these initiatives, while others are reassessing them due to budget concerns. North Carolina, for example, temporarily suspended related services before later providing partial funding.
The bottom line: Growing evidence suggests medically tailored meal programs can improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs.
However, as states navigate Medicaid funding constraints and evolving federal policy, the future of these innovative nutrition programs remains uncertain despite their demonstrated value.
Nominations open: Nurses Who Inspire contest
To celebrate the extraordinary impact nurses make every day, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (AZ Blue) is now accepting nominations for its third annual Nurses Who Inspire contest.
Why it matters: AZ Blue will recognize three Arizona nurses whose stories exemplify the spirit of nursing.
Winners will each receive:
A $5,000 cash prize.
Tickets to an Arizona Diamondbacks game and on-field recognition.
Nominations are open through Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.
Nominees should be practicing nurses in Arizona who demonstrate exceptional compassion, put patients first, support colleagues, serve their communities and create a lasting impact on the people around them.
Get to know them: Willmeng is a 100% employee-owned commercial general contractor established in Phoenix in 1977.
Willmeng specializes in ground-up and tenant improvement projects for the public and private market sectors across the western United States.
Headquartered in Phoenix, Willmeng has offices in Salt Lake City, Albuquerque and Dallas.
The company's mission and culture are centered around being a "genuine place of purpose."
This core mantra emphasizes building the company on solid relationships and being deeply committed to positively impacting employees, clients and the community through volunteerism.
Willmeng has made a tremendous impact in the community, contributing to greater healthcare access through its work on vital facilities around the state.
Go deeper: Learn more about Willmeng at willmeng.com.
Member spotlight: Kingman Regional Medical Center
Kingman Regional Medical Center has been named as one of the top hospitals in Arizona in the inaugural 2026 Forbes list of “Top Hospitals by State.”
It is the only hospital recognized in the region—and only one of five hospitals in the state to earn an overall 5-Star rating, the highest possible ranking from Forbes.
By the numbers: Across the country, only 259 of 6,100 hospitals were named as a 5-Star by Forbes.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026 – Inside HonorHealth’s Journey to AI-Guided Discharge Planning webinar HonorHealth is proving that creating inpatient capacity takes more than new technology—it requires rethinking daily patient flow and aligning tools with how care teams actually work. Their leaders will share how embedding AI directly into clinical workflows has improved discharge coordination, reduced excess days and reshaped multidisciplinary rounds through an asynchronous model. Register now.
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 Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026.
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 – APIC Grand Canyon Fall Conference Join infection prevention professionals and healthcare partners from across Arizona at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix for Mission Possible: Zero Harm. Whether you’re new to infection prevention (IP) or a seasoned IP, you’ll find practical takeaways, fresh perspectives and opportunities to learn from experts and colleagues across the state. Register now.
Save the date: Jan. 8-9, 2027 – 3rd National Pediatric Disaster Conference The conference, which will be held in Scottsdale, Ariz., will focus on pediatric mass casualty incidents and innovative approaches to strengthening preparedness, response and recovery efforts for children. AzCHER encourages members to save the date and take advantage of this opportunity to learn, connect and strengthen pediatric readiness. Registration details coming soon.
