Healthcare (Primary Care)

HB 2444 allows Arizona pharmacists to independently order, perform, and interpret certain FDA-waived tests (like flu, strep, or COVID-19 tests) and initiate treatment for specific conditions - including influenza, strep throat, HIV prevention, and other public health threats - without a physician's direct order. It directly affects pharmacists (who gain new clinical authority) and patients aged six or older who need treatment for those conditions. Key provisions require pharmacists to follow a statewide protocol covering documentation, referrals, patient screening, and evidence-based guidelines, while mandating notification to a patient’s primary care provider within 72 hours of treatment. The bill also prohibits pharmacists from prescribing opioids or treating minors without parental consent.

HB 2542 adds "preventive dental care" to the list of covered services under Arizona's AHCCCS (Medicaid) program for enrollees aged 21 and older. The bill explicitly includes routine preventive dental services alongside existing emergency dental care and extractions, which remain capped at $1,000 annually per member. This change directly affects AHCCCS recipients aged 21+ by expanding their covered dental benefits to include preventive care like cleanings and check-ups. The bill does not alter existing coverage limits for other services or create new funding requirements.