AzHHA applauds the passing of HB 2691 in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

NEWS RELEASE - For Immediate Release │ March 22, 2022

Media Contact: Holly Ward │602-445-4327 │[email protected]

PHOENIX — The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) applauds Arizona legislators for their commitment to a viable healthcare workforce following today’s Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee vote to pass the Arizona Healthcare Workforce Development Act – HB2691.

AzHHA thanks bill sponsor Joanne Osborne, R- for bringing forth this bill to establish a nurse education investment program, expand preceptor training for nurse students and new graduates and create a Nurse Transition to Practice Program to support and develop new nurses for the Arizona workforce.

“We are one step closer to giving Arizona hospitals and the patients they serve the critical boost they need when it comes to growing our nursing workforce by funding nurse education and training,” said Ann-Marie Alameddin, President and CEO of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association.

In Cochise County, Benson Hospital, Copper Queen Community Hospital, Canyon Vista Medical Center and Northern Cochise Community Hospital submitted a letter to the editor this month stating HB 2691 has received overwhelming support from Cochise College and local healthcare community partners. “The nurse and healthcare worker shortages continue to cripple Arizona’s healthcare organizations, putting a strain on the existing workforce and affecting the health of our community. More than ever, the demand for healthcare professionals, from nurses to certified nurse assistants and mental health staff, is rapidly growing.”

“Today’s healthcare workforce shortage started years ago and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alameddin. “Employee burnout and a wave of retirements have left our hospitals doing everything they can to retain the staff they have and recruit new healthcare professionals. Passing this bill into law is a must to help us continue to provide critical care within our communities.”

AzHHA hospital members continue to voice their steadfast support in HB 2691. In Mohave County, Havasu Regional Medical Center, Valley View Medical Center and Kingman Regional Medical Center submitted a letter to the editor on March 14 along with Mohave Community College stating, “Your Mohave County hospitals want to be there for you in the event of an emergency. Care in our hospitals is safe, but our ability to provide safe care is in jeopardy. We need help. This bill is a great start.”

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About the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association

AzHHA is the association giving Arizona hospitals a voice to collectively build better healthcare and health for Arizonans. As the champion for healthcare leadership in Arizona, AzHHA and its member hospitals explore ideas and take collaborative action at the state capitol, in hospitals and at home to attain the best healthcare outcomes for our community. Above all else, we put people and patients first through Better Care, Better Health and Lower Costs. Visit https://www.azhha.org for more information.