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.


๐Ÿ‘‚ 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.


๐Ÿ’ฌ 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!


๐Ÿ“– 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.

Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital Launches Largest Expansion in Its History Investment Expands Inpatient and Procedural Capacity to Meet Rising Demand for Cardiovascular Care The Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix announced last week that it is undertaking the largest expansion in its history. The new construction will add inpatient and procedural capacity to serve more Arizonans in need of heart and vascular care. Meeting Arizona's Growing Demand for Heart Care Abrazo explained that the expansion is necessary to support Arizona's continued population growth, which is driving increased demand for cardiovascular services. The added capacity will allow the hospital to not only treat more patients requiring cardiac, vascular, and critical care, but also continue its participation in clinical research and innovation. ๏ปฟ Part of a Multi-Year Investment Strategy In its press release, Abrazo describes the expansion as the latest phase of ongoing, multi-year investments intended to advance care and meet the evolving healthcare needs of communities across the state. The hospital did not report an anticipated completion date for the project. Source: Abrazo Health

Arizona Erases $1 Billion in Medical Debt for Nearly 671,000 Residents

By Admin User • August 7, 2026
Hobbs Highlights Milestone in Ongoing Partnership With Undue Medical Debt Gov. Katie Hobbs announced this week that more than $1 billion in medical debt has been erased for nearly 671,000 Arizonans, marking a significant milestone in the state's ongoing partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. How the Program Works The initiative, first launched in 2024, purchases qualifying medical debt from hospitals and collection agencies for a fraction of its value before eliminating the debt entirely for eligible patients. Who Qualifies According to the governor's office, recipients do not need to apply for the program. It is available to Arizona residents who: Receive low- and moderate-income Have medical debt that represents a substantial share of their annual income A Flashpoint in the 2026 Election Season Healthcare affordability has been at the forefront of Arizona's political conversation as the 2026 election season intensifies. Supporters argue that relieving burdensome medical debt can improve: Families' financial stability Creditworthiness Willingness to seek needed healthcare Critics of similar programs have generally questioned whether debt forgiveness addresses the underlying drivers of rising healthcare costs or simply treats the financial consequences after care has been delivered. As debates continue over healthcare affordability and access, Arizona's medical debt relief initiative is expected to remain a prominent example in broader discussions about how states can help patients facing significant medical expenses.