NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release │ April 22, 2020
Media Contact: Holly Ward │602-445-4327 │[email protected]

PHOENIX — In an announcement Wednesday, Governor Doug Ducey declared elective surgeries can resume if hospitals meet certain criteria effective May 1, 2020. The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association raised concerns on the severe loss of hospital revenue since the elective surgery ban went into effect on March 19, 2020, through an Executive Order.

“Governor Ducey made the right decision to protect public health and our healthcare workforce to pause elective procedures by using the best data available to him at the time,” said AzHHA President and CEO Ann-Marie Alameddin. “Now that we have a month’s worth of meaningful data that Governor Ducey’s stay at home measures are working and flattening the curve he is right to evaluate how we can get back to the business of healthcare and treat patients in our communities.”

AzHHA applauds Governor Ducey for alleviating limitations on elective medical procedures starting May 1. Not only will this decision allow patients to access needed procedures but also help decrease the financial strain Arizona hospitals are currently facing.

AzHHA analyzed data from the 2018 Uniform Accounting Report to calculate the revenue loss to Arizona hospitals. Member hospitals report revenues are down 30-40% due to cancellation of elective procedures and a reduction in emergency department visits. On a statewide basis that equates to a revenue reduction of $430 million to $575 million per month.

Read the Governor’s announcement here.

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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 Arizonans. Through Better Care, Better Health, and Lower Costs, we will make Arizona the Healthiest State in the Nation. Visit https://www.azhha.org for more information.