Governor Doug Ducey revoked 25 pandemic-related Executive Orders July 2.

Governor Ducey rescinds pandemic related Executive Orders 

Governor Doug Ducey revoked 25 pandemic-related Executive Orders July 2 following the Arizona Legislature enacting the policies into law. Revoked Executive Orders related to healthcare include: 

Effective July 1  

• Executive Order 2020-17 deferred requirements to renew state agency and board licenses that had an expiration date between March 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020, by six months from the expiration date, unless those requirements could be completed online. The timeframe for the deferrals lapsed on March 1, 2021. 

• Executive Order 2020-28 was enacted to address critical demand for nursing home and long-term care facility staff, allowing caregiver trainees to utilize on-the-job training to meet a certification program. This policy was codified through legislation in 2020.

• Executive Order 2020-58 ensured cost-sharing requirements, such as co-pays and co-insurance, for the COVID-19 vaccine are waived. This policy was codified by congress through the CARES Act. 

Effective July 9

• Executive Order 2020-20 allowed pharmacists to dispense emergency refills of maintenance medications for up to 180 days, minimizing unnecessary trips to the doctor. With legislation expanding the availability of telemedicine, obtaining refills is now more accessible.

Effective date to be determined by the Arizona Department of Health Services

• Executive Orders 2020-13, 2020-23, 2020-30, 2020-37, 2020-48, 2020-54, 2020-56, 2020-57, 2021-01, 2021-07, 2021-14 identified as Enhanced Surveillance Advisory Orders. The State Legislature provided authority to the Arizona Department of Health Services to continue requiring hospitals, testing laboratories and other health facilities to provide detailed information and data related to COVID-19.

Providing patients the care they want with the use of POLST

Planning for medical care before it is needed is easy using Arizona POLST. Having a complete POLST helps patients get the medical treatments they want and avoid medical treatments they do not want when they are seriously ill or frail.

The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) offers patients, families and healthcare professionals resources on its website azhha.org/arizona_polst. Visit this page to find education opportunities, frequently asked questions and answers and guidance for healthcare professionals to identify appropriate patients for POLST. For more information, email [email protected].

Pave your path to improvement, register for Cynosure's 2021 Action Summit

The Cynosure Action Summit is a virtual event focused on improving patient care and improving the conditions in which care is provided in hospitals across the U.S. The event is open to healthcare organizations of all sizes and types. Re-invigorate efforts to improve patient and workforce safety, health equity and patient and family engagement by attending this one-day event July 15 from 8 a.m.– 1:30 p.m. PDT.

The virtual summit will feature: 

• large group sessions focused on tackling the biggest challenges facing hospitals today such as health equity, patient-family engagement and workforce well-being,
• smaller group breakout sessions with an opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and collaborate with peers,
• fast-paced, interactive "Fireside Chats” for hospital CEOs and c-suite members, physician leaders, leaders in large hospitals and those tasked with improving engagement with patients and families and
• patient safety and quality improvement sessions applicable to hospital organizations of all sizes and locations.

To register for the event, click here.  

Steve Purves becomes Chairman of America’s Essential Hospitals

Valleywise Health President and CEO and AzHHA board member, Steve Purves, was named Board Chair of America’s Essential Hospitals effective July 1, 2021. The national organization supports more than 300 members with advocacy, policy development, research and education. 

“Steve’s commitment to access and excellence are well known across our nation,” said Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, president and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals. “He is an exemplary industry leader, and we look forward to his leadership over the next year.” 

Purves says one of his goals as incoming board chair will be to raise awareness of the critical role hospitals and affiliated organizations plan in keeping our communities healthy. He notes how hospitals were “disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis,” as front-line employees made incredible sacrifices while most Americans needed to stay home.

“Steve is the kind of leader whom we are proud to have representing the Arizona hospital community on a national level,” said AzHHA President and CEO Ann-Marie Alameddin. “He is that authentic healthcare champion who leads with integrity and strives to deliver mission-focused healthcare that serves the needs of all.”

Hospital and healthcare resource guide for Arizona healthcare consent laws and regulation

The 2020 AzHHA Consent Manual, reviewed and updated by Coppersmith Brockelman’s Health Care Practice Group, is available for purchase. This manual is the only comprehensive resource guide for Arizona healthcare consent laws, rules and guidelines. Learn more about consent manual updates or submit a purchase request form here. 

Upcoming Events

July 14 - 2021 Coding Clinic: Quarter Updates

AzHHA Affiliated Partner, NJHA Healthcare Business Solutions, is offering member health information managers and coding specialists a series of quarterly coding webinars called, 2021 Coding Clinic Updates - Everything You Really Need to Know. The webinar series provides a concise overview of the current issue of Coding Clinic and allows participants an opportunity for discussion and Q&A. The second quarter session is scheduled July 14. Register here.

July 19 – Arizona Telemedicine Program: Telemedicine Applications

The Telemedicine Applications workshop offers a more detailed approach for telemedicine programs, providing a more in-depth look at the clinical applications of such programs. Individuals or groups who have some telehealth experience and are interested in expanding services are encouraged to attend. Speakers will cover advanced telemedicine topics through an in-depth look at real-world clinical applications of telemedicine and telehealth, including telepsychiatry, infectious Disease, teleradiology, telehealth physical therapy and telehealth nursing. Register here.

July 28 - HB2454 and the Impact in Arizona for Healthcare Professionals

Join the Arizona Telemedicine Program in a one-hour presentation by Christina Corieri, Governor Ducey’s senior policy advisor, on Arizona’s HB2454 and learn about Governor Ducey’s telemedicine executive orders and their impact on healthcare in Arizona. Register here.

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