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Connection Newsletter
By AzHHA Communications ● Dec. 5, 2024
Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins...1185 words
This week, read about:
- The leadership shaping the 57th Legislature.
- CMS releasing its 2026 proposed Medicare Advantage rule.
- The upcoming deadline for the Arizona Transition to Practice Program cohort four applications.
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The rosters are set for 2025: Leadership shaping the 57th Legislature
Arizona lawmakers are quickly preparing for the 57th Legislature and its First Regular Session, set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
- As the state gears up for another legislative term, the balance of power remains unchanged, with Republicans holding the majority in both the House and the Senate.
With new challenges and opportunities ahead, the leadership teams include a mix of experienced legislators and emerging political figures ready to guide their respective caucuses through the upcoming legislative year.
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Why it matters: These leaders will play a crucial role in shaping the state’s policies and addressing important issues such as healthcare, education and economic growth.
Senate leadership: Building on experience and new perspectives
- Senate President - Senator Warren Peterson (R-Dist. 14).
- Majority Leader – Senator Janae Shamp (R-Dist. 29).
- Majority Whip – Senator Frank Carroll (R-Dist. 28).
- Minority Leader – Senator Priya Sundareshan (D-Dist. 18).
- Assistant Minority Leader – Senator Flavio Bravo (D-Dist. 26).
- Minority Whip – Senator Rosanna Gabaldon (D-Dist. 21).
- Minority Caucus Chair – Senator Lela Alston (D-Dist. 5).
House leadership: A close race defines new direction
- House Speaker – Representative Steve Montenegro (R-Dist. 29).
- Majority Leader – Representative Michael Carbone (R-Dist. 25).
- Majority Whip – Representative Julie Willoughby (R-Dist. 13).
- Minority Leader – Representative Oscar De Los Santos (D-Dist. 11).
- Assistant Minority Leader – Representative Nancy Gutierrez (D-Dist. 18).
- Minority Co-Whip – Representative Quanta Crews (D-Dist. 26).
- Minority Co-Whip – Representative Stacey Travers (D-Dist. 12).
Congratulations to all these legislators.
- AzHHA looks forward to forging strong relationships and collaborating with you to ensure that the voices of our hospitals and their patients are heard at the Arizona Legislature.
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CMS releases its 2026 proposed Medicare Advantage rule
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published its proposed rule for Contract Year 2026 on policy and technical changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D programs.
Why it matters: The rule attempts to hold MA plans more accountable for providing quality coverage for those who enroll in MA instead of traditional Medicare.
Provisions in the proposal include:
- Prohibiting health plans from reconsidering prior authorization for inpatient admissions after an initial authorization has been determined.
- Providing clearer definitions for internal coverage criteria for medical necessity determination.
- Requiring that when using artificial intelligence, it is provided equitably so that discrimination does not occur due to health status or condition.
- Ensuring that health plans align cost sharing of behavioral health services with traditional Medicare standards.
- Allowing Medicare Part D and Medicaid programs to provide coverage for GLP-1s for weight loss. (Currently, Medicare only covers these drugs if being used to treat another condition.)
- Further standardize the medical loss ratio calculation and require more detailed information on how it is calculated.
Go deeper: Additional information on the proposed rule can be found here.
- Comments are due to CMS no later than Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
- Comments can also be submitted to Amy Upston, director of financial policy and reimbursement.
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⚠️Deadline approaching: Arizona Transition to Practice Program applications for fourth cohort
The application deadline for the fourth Arizona Transition to Practice Program for New Graduate Registered Nurses cohort beginning in February 2025 is fast approaching!
- Applications are due Monday, Dec. 16, 2024.
- Already applied? The Arizona Transition to Practice Program team will reach out to you soon.
Why it matters: With this program, we aspire to create an environment where our nurses can transition seamlessly from academia to practice, gaining the confidence and competence they need to provide the best possible quality care to our communities.
The big picture:
- Any Arizona healthcare facility licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services that hires new graduate registered nurses may apply.
- Priority will be given to critical access hospitals or hospitals located in counties with a population of less than 500,000 people.
- Hospitals with existing 12-month Transition to Practice programs are not eligible.
Questions? Email [email protected].
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Avian influenza A virus in Arizona
On Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, a poultry farm in Pinal County detected H5 avian influenza after birds began to show symptoms and died off.
The big picture: No human cases in Arizona have been reported, however, there have been 55 human cases in the U.S. so far.
- Over 112 million domestic poultry have been infected nationwide.
- People working in the cattle and poultry industry are at more risk for exposure.
Go deeper: More information on the Arizona outbreak in Pinal County can be found here.
- Clinical considerations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found here.
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Check out the ADHS Public Health Data Portal
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has a Public Health Data Portal (PHDP) available on its website.
Why it matters: The purpose of the PDHP is to consolidate data into one easily accessible location and allow you to search for public health data produced by the department.
In the portal, you’ll find:
- Data explorers
- Reports and catalogs
- Dashboards
- Maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) apps
- Public health data assets
- And more!
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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:
- Outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) CY 2025 final rule analysis (sent Monday, Nov. 25, 2024)
Dig deeper: There will be a webinar covering the CY 2025 OPPS final rule and analysis.
- 1 to 2 p.m. Arizona time on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
- Registration is required using this link.
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Friday, Jan. 31, 2025 - 2025 Winter State of the State
This event includes The Hertel Report’s bi-annual healthcare market update. Topics include Medicare Advantage, the ACA Marketplace, Medicaid (AHCCCS), accountable care organizations and the industry’s shift to value-based payments. AzHHA members receive $15 off their registration with code “azhha2025.” Register now.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 - Introduction to POLST
Join physician orders for life-sustaining treatment paradigm (POLST) for their one-hour virtual workshops equipping healthcare professionals with knowledge and resources to begin using POLST in Arizona. Register here.
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