Draft rules include a proposal to base required 911 response times.

Feedback requested - ADHS ground ambulance rules

AzHHA is requesting members’ feedback on the Arizona Department of Health Services’ proposed revisions to the ground ambulance rules. The revised draft rules include a proposal to base required 911 response times on the Arizona Prehospital Information & EMS Registry System (AZ-PIERS) data and a proposal to set acceptable interfacility arrival time variances as a percentage of the required 911 response time for the same type of transfer. For instance, the maximum 911 response time for an emergent transfer in a rural area is proposed as 18 minutes for 90% of runs. Correspondingly, the maximum interfacility arrival time variance for a time-sensitive condition in a rural area is proposed as nine minutes for 90% of runs. Table 9.1 of the revised draft rules on pages 36-37 displays proposed response time and arrival time variance requirements for all geographic areas and types of transfers. Please send comments or questions related to the proposed rule to Liz Lorenz, director of policy, by Tuesday, October 5.

CMS to continue providing coverage for COVID-19 vaccines including booster

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorization of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced its continued cost coverage for the available vaccines and boosters. Coverage without cost-sharing continues to be available for eligible individuals with Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and most commercial health insurance coverage. Information regarding the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Requirements and how the COVID-19 vaccine is provided through that program at no cost to recipients is available on the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Provider Requirements and Support webpage.

The Arizona Department of Health Services announced Wednesday the availability of the Pfizer COVID-19 booster for individuals 65+ and those in high-risk occupations and settings. Individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago may find a vaccine site by visiting azdhs.gov/FindVaccine.

Study shows effectiveness of mask-wearing in K-12 schools

This week Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper ruled that the ban on public school mask mandates is unconstitutional just one day before its effective date. At the same time, Pima County released its co-authored study showing schools without a mask requirement were 3.5 times more likely to experience a COVID-19 outbreak. The study included 999 K–12 public non-charter schools in Pima and Maricopa counties. "The findings reinforce and give credence to the existing guidance from the CDC and Pima County: Universal mask-wearing in schools is absolutely an essential part of a layered mitigation strategy against the spread of COVID-19," said Pima County Director Dr. Theresa Cullen.

Changes to Safe Baby Haven Law

During the 2021 state legislative session HB2410 - SAFE HAVENS; NEWBORN INFANT AGE was passed making changes to the Arizona Safe Baby Haven statute. The changes to the law with the effective date of September 29, allow all eligible safe haven locations, including hospitals, to accept safe haven babies up to 30 days old. Prior to this change, safe haven locations could only accept infants up to 72 hours old. No additional changes were made to the other aspects of the statute, including signage requirements. Any questions about the bill may be emailed to Meghan McCabe, director of government relations.

AzHHA names new director of government relations

AzHHA welcomes Meghan McCabe as its new Director of Government Relations. McCabe joins AzHHA’s Policy and Advocacy team serving as the designated lobbyist before the Governor’s office and State Legislature. A native Arizonan, McCabe graduated from Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Society. She earned her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Washington. After law school, McCabe spent several years in Washington, DC, lobbying at a boutique government relations firm on behalf of universities and scientific societies. Following her time in the nation’s capital, McCabe returned to her home state and joined Arizona’s largest government affairs firm, where she spent several years representing a wide array of clients before the state legislature and municipalities. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of Government Relations for the Arizona Medical Association. Meghan McCabe may be reached at 602-445-4324 or [email protected].

Upcoming Events

October 5 – 10 a.m. - AzHIP Pandemic Recovery & Resiliency Public Forum

Your input is crucial to ensuring the strategies and actions are impactful to Arizonans. Feedback received during this forum will be reviewed and contribute to the direction moving forward. 

What you can expect of this forum:

• Preview the vision and strategies of the 5th AzHIP priority - Pandemic Recovery & Resiliency

• Capture feedback on the draft plan

• Identify opportunities for statewide partners to help implement the plan and get involved

Please register for this event by Friday, October 1 if you would like to attend.

October 8-9 – Teaching Health Center - Is it the right fit for your organization?

Community health centers, Critical Access Hospitals, rural health clinics, and IHS tribal health center staff involved in primary care students and resident training and education are encouraged to attend the Teaching Health Center hybrid conference October 8-9, 2021. There is no cost to attend. However, registration is required. There is a limit of 60 in-person attendees. Click here to learn more and register.

October 12-13 – ACHIEVE 2021, 14th Annual Health Current Summit & Trade Show

Micky Tripathi, Ph.D., National Coordinator for the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), will kick off the 14th Annual Health Current Summit & Trade Show on October 12. This year's Summit is a hybrid event, so we look forward to coming together either in-person or online. Join us on October 12-13 – either in-person or virtually. Click here to learn more and register.

October 14 – 2021 Arizona Health Equity Conference

AzHHA is a proud sponsor of the statewide movement to promote resiliency and health equity, the 2021 Arizona Health Equity Conference. This conference is a great opportunity to understand current health equity research, outreach and policies taking place in Arizona and to connect with partners who are working in the field of health equity or interested in reducing health disparities. To view the conference program, click here. Both virtual and limited in-person registration options are available.

In the News

In sweeping ruling, Arizona judge finds ban on school mask mandates and other laws in budget unconstitutional
Arizona Republic

Southern Arizona VA brings virtual healthcare to ICUs
KOLD13 News

10 people have died from the West Nile Virus in Arizona since beginning of September
Arizona Republic