A key function of any trade association is to promote a policy environment in which its members can thrive. The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) has a dedicated policy and advocacy team. At the direction of the Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors, our team proactively executes AzHHA's policy priorities defined in our legislative agenda.
The team uses advocacy strategies to achieve AzHHA’s priorities at the state and federal levels, some of which include:
- Direct lobbying at the state legislature.
- Leading the AzHHA PAC.
- Monitoring state and federal rulemaking and sub-regulatory policy proposals, and gathering member feedback on these topics.
- Working with our national affiliate, the American Hospital Association (AHA).
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Overview of 2025 AzHHA priorities
Each year, the AzHHA Board of Directors decides on a policy framework to govern AzHHA’s advocacy efforts. Additional information on key areas and current priority legislation can be found below. Read more below and view our online tracking list provided by Skywolf.
Holding health insurers accountable
Certain health insurance practices threaten patient access to care and drive excessive administrative costs and burdens in the healthcare system. For healthcare providers, timely payment and credentialing with a health insurance plan are critical. Health plans should be required to provide current contact information for personnel responsible for handling grievances. Currently, health plans are allotted 100 days to credential a provider with no requirement to pay the provider for services rendered during this time.
Current priority legislation:
- SB1291 health insurers; provider; payment; claims: This bill reduces the provider credentialing timeframe to 60 days for the credentialing process and 30 days for contract loading and requires retroactive payment from the date the application is complete.
- HB2130 claims; prior authorization; denials; contact: Requires healthcare insurers to provide a detailed explanation for any denied claim or prior authorization and to include contact information of a person or department who can address questions regarding the denial.
- HB2175 claims; prior authorization; conduct: Requires health insurers to individually review all claims and prior authorizations before denial and prohibits the use of AI for claims denial or prior authorization for medical necessity, experimental status or any other reason that involves medical judgement.
Interfacility transportation
Interfacility transport and patient flow have long been a challenge but have recently reached unsustainable levels. Delays in transportation and increased costs have left hospitals in an impossible position when attempting to transfer patients to higher-level or specialty care facilities. Patients are backed up in the emergency department or waiting hours or even days for transport.
Current priority legislation:
- HB2124 hospitals; interfacility transport: Exempts hospitals from certificate of need (CON) requirement for interfacility transport, and allows hospitals to provide their own interfacility transportation or contract with local fire department/districts.
Improving outcomes in maternal health
Each year in Arizona, approximately 70 women die within 365 days of pregnancy, of which 15-20 deaths would not have occurred if the women were not pregnant. In addition, approximately 900 women experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM) during labor and delivery. In Arizona, SMM disproportionality affects women of color, women living below the federal poverty level, women living in rural counties and women with pre-existing chronic conditions. Learn more about the Arizona Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Collaborative and AzHHA's engagement on this issue.
Current priority legislation:
- HB2332 postpartum health; education; advisory committee: This bill mandates the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to develop and distribute educational materials focusing on maternal mental health, particularly postpartum depression. This bill also creates an advisory committee on OBGYN and maternal mental health in rural communities.
Easing regulatory burdens that impact access to care
Arizonans deserve timely and affordable access to medical and other healthcare services. Administratively burdensome state and regulatory barriers that delay access to care and/or add unnecessary costs to care delivery without enhancing patient safety should be avoided.
Current priority legislation:
- SB1219 behavioral health facilities; accreditation: This bill requires behavioral health outpatient treatment centers to document on intake forms whether a patient resides in a sober living home, allowing the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to verify compliance during survey or investigations. It also mandates ADHS to publish a compliant priority matrix online, specifying levels of complaints, how they are classified and investigation timelines. Additionally, it establishes an annual training and competency program for licensing surveyors and transparent interactions with healthcare facilities.
- HB2173 mental health inquiry; prohibition: This bill prohibits Arizona health profession regulatory boards and non-health licensing authorities from asking applicants whether they have ever sought or received mental health treatment or diagnoses on licensing applications. However, they may ask whether an applicant is under a regulatory order in another state to monitor health conditions, including substance use. Responses are not required if the monitoring is part of a confidential program. The bill aims to reduce stigma around mental healthcare and protect applicants' privacy across various professions.