Amanda Sheinson Promoted to Vice President of Government Affairs at the Arizona Medical Association

August 7, 2025

Sheinson’s elevated role reflects her outstanding track record of successful lobbying on behalf of the physician community and its patients.

PHOENIX, Arizona — In recognition of her role in the physician community’s legislative success, Amanda Sheinson has been promoted to Vice President of Government Affairs at the Arizona Medical Association.

In her new role, Sheinson will continue to develop ArMA’s advocacy strategy, lobby for physicians’ legislative priorities, and forge key relationships with political stakeholders. She will also serve as the principal policy advisor for physician leadership, developing and executing the organization’s legislative agenda in collaboration with ArMA’s Board of Directors and Legislative & Governmental Affairs Committee.

As a seasoned lobbyist with fifteen years of experience in public policy, Sheinson has been instrumental in upholding the association’s reputation as the leading physician voice in healthcare advocacy since her tenure began in 2021.

Most recently, she led the introduction and passage of House Bill 2175, a proactive and precedent-setting policy regulating health insurers’ use of Artificial Intelligence to review and deny medical claims. As evidence of AI-driven claim denials skyrockets, HB2175 ensures patients’ health isn’t decided by pattern-based algorithms and that physicians aren’t burdened by unnecessary administrative complications. The bill is the first of its kind in Arizona and one of the first in the nation.

During her time with ArMA, Sheinson has shepherded legislation to increase Arizona’s investment in graduate medical education (GME) funding, address the harmful stigma surrounding physician mental well-being, protect science-based health policy, and reduce administrative burdens to allow physicians to focus on what matters most: patient care.

Outside of the Capitol, Sheinson has developed high-impact advocacy programming to prepare physicians to get involved in the legislative process. Her original and award-winning course, Advocacy University, is highly-regarded by participants and entering its fourth year.

“Amanda’s deep political knowledge and fierce dedication to physicians and their patients have fundamentally strengthened ArMA’s advocacy footprint,” said ArMA CEO Douglas Laher, MBA, CAE, CMP. “Her promotion is a reflection of the extraordinary impact she’s had on healthcare policy in Arizona.”


Prior to joining ArMA, Sheinson served as a director of legislative affairs in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. She holds a master’s in public administration from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Arizona.

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 .