Healthcare

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1116: AHCCCS; claims review; behavioral health

SB 1116 requires that appeals for behavioral health claims under Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) subject to a capped fee-for-service payment schedule must be reviewed by an individual with relevant clinical experience. This applies specifically to disputes over payments for behavioral health services where providers are paid under a fixed, capped rate system. The bill directly affects behavioral health providers and patients involved in payment appeals within AHCCCS. It mandates clinical expertise in the review process rather than non-clinical review, aiming to improve the accuracy of payment decisions for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clinical expertise in AHCCCS behavioral health appeals, ensuring fair payment disputes and protecting patient access to mental health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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failed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1391: stress management pilot program; appropriation

SB 1391 establishes a two-year pilot program to provide preventative mental wellness training for Arizona peace officers and their families. The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board will select a qualified nonprofit to deliver this program, focusing on stress resiliency, suicide prevention, and peer support - avoiding clinical treatment or generalized employee assistance. It appropriates $950,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027 to cover curriculum development, instructor compensation, training delivery, and program evaluation. The program must report on participation, outcomes, and recommendations by December 31, 2028, and expires June 30, 2029. This directly affects all Arizona peace officers, their families, and law enforcement agencies through mandated training on occupational stress impacts and wellness strategies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $950,000 for a pilot program funding mental wellness training for peace officers, directly allocating state budget resources to support public safety personnel well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds preventative mental wellness training for peace officers, including stress resiliency and suicide prevention, directly supporting mental health services as defined in the topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1347: health insurance; fertility preservation; coverage

SB 1347 requires Arizona health insurance providers (including hospital service corporations, health care organizations, and disability insurers) to cover fertility preservation services for cancer patients of reproductive age whose medically necessary treatment may cause infertility, effective January 1, 2027. Insurers cannot require preauthorization for these services and must apply standard deductibles, copayments, and coverage limits. Religious employers may request exemptions if coverage conflicts with their beliefs, but must provide written notice to subscribers. The law does not prevent individuals from purchasing supplemental insurance for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for fertility preservation in cancer treatment, expanding patient access without preauthorization or excessive cost-sharing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1179: group home monitoring program; continuation

SB 1179 extends Arizona’s developmental disabilities group home monitoring program to continue monitoring group homes serving residents with complex needs (defined as those with dual psychiatric and developmental disabilities causing disruptive or harmful behaviors). Starting January 2026, a designated advocacy entity will conduct in-person checks to verify residents receive their care plans, including medication, behavioral support, and dietary needs, while ensuring staff competency and family involvement. The program requires monthly reports to the state department, quarterly department responses, and annual reviews by legislators to assess quality of care and determine future funding. This directly affects group homes, residents with complex needs, and the designated advocacy entity conducting the monitoring.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends monitoring program to verify care plans (medication, behavioral support) for residents with psychiatric/developmental disabilities, ensuring access to mental health services and protecting patient rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 1114: appropriation; behavioral health patient brokering

SB 1114 appropriates $1,000,000 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. The funds are specifically designated for investigations into "behavioral health patient brokering," an unethical practice where individuals or entities refer patients to treatment facilities for financial gain. This bill directly affects Maricopa County (which includes Phoenix) by providing resources to investigate these practices, without creating new regulations or altering existing laws. The appropriation is a one-time funding measure focused solely on enabling law enforcement investigations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from state general fund for behavioral health investigations, directly funding a public service within budget allocation90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds investigation into unethical behavioral health patient brokering, protecting patient rights and mental health service integrity within healthcare.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1678: health facilities; group homes; resident information

SB 1678 requires assisted living centers and homes in Arizona to provide emergency responders with a standardized written document when contacting them for a resident. This document must include critical information like the resident's medications, allergies, primary care physician details, health conditions, pharmacy contact, health insurance authorization, and advance directives. The bill also mandates that hospitals coordinate with receiving assisted living facilities by providing detailed discharge plans, including medical assessments, medication instructions, and follow-up care recommendations. These provisions directly affect assisted living facilities, emergency responders, hospitals, and residents by standardizing communication during medical emergencies and patient transfers. The goal is to improve care coordination and safety during transitions between facilities and emergency services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates standardized health information sharing for emergency responders in assisted living, improving patient safety and care coordination during emergencies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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failed · Arizona · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1152: immigration verification; public benefits; asylum

SB 1152 requires applicants for Arizona state or local public benefits (such as healthcare or food assistance) to provide specific documents proving lawful U.S. presence, including Arizona driver licenses, birth certificates, or immigration documents. It specifically prohibits individuals with pending asylum applications from receiving benefits until an immigration judge grants asylum. The bill establishes penalties for agency employees who fail to report immigration violations (class 2 misdemeanor) and allows any Arizona resident to sue agencies for noncompliance. Key provisions include requiring sworn affidavits about document accuracy and exempting certain groups like tribal members from standard documentation under federal guidance. This bill directly affects non-citizens applying for public benefits and changes eligibility requirements under Arizona law.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts healthcare access by denying public benefits to asylum seekers until immigration status is resolved, directly limiting patient access to services.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts access to public benefits for immigrants with pending asylum applications and mandates immigration status verification, limiting services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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signed · Arizona · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2190: physician assistants; licensure compact

HB 2190 creates Arizona's participation in a physician assistant (PA) licensure compact, allowing PAs licensed in Arizona to practice across state lines in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects PAs (especially military families who relocate) and patients seeking care from PAs in multiple states. The key mechanism is "compact privilege," which grants PAs the right to practice in a "remote state" (where the patient is located) under that state's laws, while requiring PAs to follow the rules of the patient's location. Arizona's licensing board retains authority to take disciplinary action against PAs practicing under the compact, and the bill mandates mutual recognition of licenses, criminal background checks, and reporting of adverse actions to a shared data system.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state PA practice, improving patient access to healthcare services without additional licensing barriers95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

vetoed · Arizona · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2796: AHCCCS; enrollment verification; presumptive eligibility

HB 2796 strengthens eligibility verification for Arizona’s Medicaid program (AHCCCS) by requiring monthly and quarterly data checks with state agencies. It mandates verification of income, residency, employment, and other changes using state databases (like tax records and death certificates) instead of accepting self-reported information. The bill also restricts temporary "presumptive eligibility" coverage to children and pregnant women only, requiring federal waiver approval, and imposes training requirements for hospitals that fail to meet verification standards. These changes directly affect AHCCCS members and participating hospitals by tightening enrollment rules and reducing reliance on self-attestation.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts presumptive eligibility to children/pregnant women only, requiring federal waiver, limiting temporary coverage access and tightening verification barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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