State issues
How AzHHA advances state policy in Arizona
Hospitals in Arizona face distinct challenges related to their advocacy on protecting patient access, improving hospital operations and ensuring that both rural and urban communities throughout Arizona receive state laws, regulatory frameworks, payer practices and demographic trends. AzHHA concentrates its advocacy efforts on protecting patient access, improving hospital operations and ensuring that both rural and urban communities throughout Arizona receive the necessary care.
Member-driven policy development
Each year, the AzHHA Public Policy Committee evaluates the key challenges facing Arizona's healthcare system. This committee is made up of executives, clinicians, operational leaders and subject-matter experts from member hospitals. They analyze statewide performance trends, payer practices, capacity constraints, workforce dynamics and regulatory issues.
Based on their findings, the committee recommends a policy framework to the AzHHA Board of Directors. The Board then adopts a focused set of priorities at the state level. This process ensures that our advocacy reflects the genuine needs of hospitals and the patients they serve, rather than being driven by short-term political agendas or external interests.
You can learn more and download our AzHHA policy agenda here.
Arizona-centered advocacy approach
After establishing these priorities, AzHHA promotes them in the state policymaking arena. We collaborate with legislators, state agencies and stakeholder coalitions to turn reforms from ideas into reality. Our advocacy may take various forms depending on the specific issue, including:
- Introducing or supporting legislation that increases access to healthcare and minimizes operational obstacles.
- Negotiating bill language to safeguard hospitals from unintended or harmful policy consequences.
- Opposing bills that increase costs, compromise patient safety or undermine hospital capacity.
- Collaborating with state agencies on rulemaking, licensure and enforcement processes.
- Providing lawmakers with real-world feedback from frontline hospitals.
- Using data and clinical expertise to shape policy discussions.
- Coordinating grassroots advocacy efforts and collecting testimonies from member institutions.
Arizona's policy landscape is changing quickly. Each year, legislation priorities, regulation enforcement and stakeholder interests shift. AzHHA's strategy is designed to adapt to these changes while staying aligned with the long-term needs of Arizona's hospital system.
From policy agenda to real-world outcomes
Every policy priority must ultimately deliver measurable benefits for patients and providers in Arizona. When legislative changes are not feasible, AzHHA may consider alternative approaches such as administrative remedies, pilot programs, budget provisions or stakeholder-led workgroups. Despite facing challenges, we continue to build coalitions, gather data and lay the groundwork for future success.
This strategy allows us to advance reforms, even during difficult legislative sessions. It also ensures that our advocacy is sustainable, coming not just as a one-time effort, but as a long-term commitment to modernizing care delivery in Arizona.