SB 1372 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - Second Regular Session

medicaid; dental benefit study committee

SB 1372 establishes a study committee to evaluate expanding Arizona's Medicaid program to cover comprehensive dental care for adults (beyond current emergency care limits). The committee will analyze costs, potential medical savings from improved oral health, and develop 10-year financial models, including impacts on emergency care use and chronic disease management. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by April 30, 2027, before the bill expires on June 30, 2027. This procedural bill does not change Medicaid coverage but sets up a formal review process.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Apr 9, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

House Engrossed Version (04/09/2026) → Senate Engrossed Version (03/03/2026) · 5 edits · Mar 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from regulating nurse anesthetist reimbursement rates to establishing a study committee that will evaluate expanding Medicaid dental benefits for adults. The original text, which mandated equal pay for nurse anesthetists and exempted private equity practices, was removed. The new text creates a bipartisan committee to analyze costs, model financial impacts, and recommend policy changes by April 2027.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from regulating specific provider reimbursement rates to establishing a temporary study committee focused on Medicaid dental policy analysis.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions requiring hospitals and insurers to pay nurse anesthetists the same rate as physicians.

Added duties for the committee to model financial impacts and recommend expanding adult dental coverage in Medicaid.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the exemption allowing private equity-owned practices to pay lower rates to nurse anesthetists.

REQUIREMENT

Added the creation of a nine-member study committee including legislators, health officials, dentists, and economists.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement to submit a final report by April 30, 2027, with the entire section set to expire on June 30, 2027.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

27–3

Passed

Total votes 30

Mar 3, 2026

D Democratic13

13 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican17

14 Yea 3 Nay

82% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

PASSED

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

DPA/SE

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors