7 Physician-backed Policies Move Ahead at Arizona State Capitol

May 9, 2025

It was a banner week at the Arizona State Legislature for the House of Medicine with several priority bills advancing through the final stages of the legislative process.


From international medical graduate licensing timelines to physician credentialing, here are the seven ArMA-supported bills that advanced this week:


1. Artificial Intelligence Regulation Signed Into Law

Among the bills to advance was House Bill 2175 (prior authorizations; claims), sponsored by Representative Julie Willoughby, which will prohibit insurance companies from utilizing Artificial Intelligence to deny claims and prior authorizations for medical necessity. HB2175 received its final vote from the State House and was signed by Governor Katie Hobbs on Monday, May 12. 

The unregulated use of AI has resulted in systemic denials that have caused undeniable harm to patients and the healthcare system. The Arizona Medical Association is proud to be one of the first states in the country to pass this legislation, putting Arizona at the forefront of tackling the issues that matter most.


👂 LISTEN: ArMA Board Member Michael Dunn, MD, talks about Artificial Intelligence's impact on his private practice with KJZZ's The Show.


2. Physician Credentialing Timeline Successfully Shortened

A part of ArMA's efforts to reform commercial medical insurance practices, Senate Bill 1291 (health insurers; provider credentialing; claims) was signed by Governor Katie Hobbs late last Friday afternoon. S ponsored by Senator Hildy Angius, this ArMA-supported legislation shortens the credentialing timeline from 100 days to 60 days and allows for retroactive billing for services provided during the credentialing period.


What does SB1291 mean for physicians & patients? It will allow physicians to begin serving patients sooner after being employed by a new hospital or healthcare system. It is a safe and efficient way of streamlining physicians' administrative burdens and boosting patients' access to care.


💬 POST NOW: Celebrate this momentous win by sharing ArMA's post on LinkedIn.


3. Marijuana Advertising Restrictions to Protect Children

This week also saw the legislature's final approval of ArMA priority HB2179 (marijuana advertising; restrictions), sponsored by Rep. Selina Bliss. The bill prohibits marijuana advertising that targets minors and was signed by Governor Katie Hobbs on Monday, May 12. Congratulations to the bill’s champion and ArMA member, Dr. Gary Kirkilas!


📖 READ MORE: Meet Dr. Gary Kirklas and learn more about his journey with physician advocacy.


4. Obesity Treatment for AHCCCS Patients

 

ArMA-supported SB1711 (AHCCCS; obesity treatment; study committee), sponsored by Senator David Gowan, was voted out of the House 31-19 and now just needs final approval from the Senate. The bill creates a study committee to look at the costs and benefits of comprehensive obesity treatment for Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) patients.


5. Continuous Glucose Monitors for AHCCCS Patients

 

ArMA-supported SB1132 (AHCCCS; continuous glucose monitors) , which requires AHCCCS to provide continuous glucose monitors as both a pharmacy and medical benefit, passed the House with a vote of 48-10 and has been transmitted to the Governor  for a signature.


6. Postpartum Health & Education in Rural Arizona

 

ArMA-supported HB2332 (postpartum health; education; advisory committee) , sponsored by Rep. Julie Willoughby, which requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to establish the Advisory Committee on Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Maternal Mental Health in Rural Communities to ensure these services are available in low-volume, high risk, rural communities, received final passage and is  waiting for a signature from the Governor.


7. International Medical Graduate Licensing Timeline

 

ArMA-initiated SB1395 (requirements; international medical graduates) , sponsored by Senator TJ Shope, was signed into law this week! This legislation allows residents who went to medical school outside the U.S. to receive their medical license on the same timeframe (one year) as their peers who attended medicals school in the U.S.


The Arizona Medical Association thanks the stakeholders, physicians, and legislative champions who have made this year's legislative session a resounding success thus far. As ArMA's Advocacy Team continues to fight for physicians and their patients, we'll keep you posted.

ADHS Issues Standing Orders for Flu, COVID-19 Vaccine Access

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
Statewide orders keep pharmacists and physicians authorized to vaccinate Arizonans amid uncertainty over the next ACIP meeting. Statewide Orders Cover the 2026-27 Flu & COVID Season The Arizona Department of Health Services has issued statewide standing orders supporting access to the 2026-27 influenza and COVID-19 vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Arizonans seeking a flu or COVID-19 vaccine should contact their physician or pharmacy to confirm availability. Why the Orders Were Issued Arizona pharmacists may administer vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for international travel, or vaccines authorized under a prescription, including a physician-issued public health standing order. With the timing of the next ACIP meeting uncertain, ADHS worked with the Arizona Board of Pharmacy to issue statewide standing orders for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which function as a prescription allowing pharmacists and physicians across Arizona to administer them to anyone who wants one. ADHS Medical Advisor Weighs In "Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect our communities. The Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been proven safe and effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Vaccines help us limit the spread of disease, reduce pressure on our healthcare system and reduce costs," said Dr. Richard Carmona, ADHS public health medical advisor and the 17th U.S. Surgeon General. "We have issued these standing orders to ensure safe and timely access to the vaccines in alignment with scientific and evidence-based guidance." What Arizonans Should Know The standing orders do not require every pharmacy to offer vaccinations, and they do not guarantee insurance coverage for administration. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan, so Arizonans should check with their insurance provider before scheduling an appointment. 

Arizona Asks Supreme Court to Halt Prison Health Care Takeover

By Admin User • September 18, 2026
State attorneys seek an emergency stay after lower courts reject bids to delay receivership of the prison health care system. State Makes a Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court this week to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request comes after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the recent application, former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a representative of the department, argued that the state deserves more time to make its case before surrendering control of its operations, including oversight of its employees and health care budget. Roots of the Case The dispute began in 2012 when inmates sued the department, alleging the prison system's inadequate medical, mental health, and dental care amounted to cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. The case went through years of litigation and a failed settlement agreement. In 2023, U.S. District Judge Roslyn Silver ruled that the health care system was "grossly inadequate." The court ordered the prison healthcare system to comply with more than 150 "quality indicators," but according to court-appointed monitors, the department failed to comply with 131 of the measures. In light of this finding, Silver named Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should be the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserts that the department has made measurable progress, including growing its health care staffing by more than 50%, expanding substance-use treatment access, and adopting a new care model. Corene Kendrick, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, which represents the roughly 25,000 people incarcerated in Arizona prisons, called the department's request a "Hail Mary" and said Silver had given the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next The Supreme Court has not yet set a deadline for the plaintiffs to respond to the stay request. Separately, the 9th Circuit is now reviewing the merits of the receivership order itself. The department filed its opening brief on Sept. 15, and the plaintiffs' response is due Oct. 15. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror .