Arizona Legislature Week 8: Where ArMA's Priority Bills Stand After Crossover
Arizona Medical Association
Vitals From the State Capitol: Where ArMA's Priority Bills Stand After Crossover Week
Week 08 of Arizona's Legislative Session March 6, 2026
With the Arizona State Legislature's Crossover Week in the rearview mirror and bills now being heard in their second chamber, the session is well underway — and things are looking good for the Arizona Medical Association's healthcare priorities.
✓ ArMA SUPPORTS
SB1628: Claims Denial, Prior Authorization & Reporting Reform
Senate Bill 1628 passed the Arizona State Senate with unanimous approval and is now awaiting a hearing in the State House. When enacted, the bill will require medical insurers to report claims denial, prior authorization, and downcoding data to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, which will then aggregate the information into a publicly available report.
This critical reform will ensure the physician and broader healthcare community has access to comprehensive data to support future insurance reform efforts.
⚠ ACTION NEEDED
HB2444: Pharmacist "Test and Treat" Bill
House Bill 2444, which would allow pharmacists to initiate testing and prescribe treatments for flu, strep, COVID-19, and HIV PrEP/PEP, has yet to receive a vote from the full House of Representatives. ArMA's Advocacy Team is actively lobbying legislators to ensure the bill does not advance any further.
If you haven't already, take a moment to contact the full State House and urge members to vote no on this harmful legislation.
Action Needed
Contact the full House of Representatives and urge them to oppose HB2444.
New to RTS? Learn how to use the Request-to-Speak system »
ArMA Opposed
SB1178: Naturopathic Physicians Drug Administration
Senate Bill 1178, which would allow naturopathic physicians to administer antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals via IV, passed the Senate along mostly partisan lines. This legislation poses grave concerns for patient care, and ArMA is actively opposing it.
The legislation now moves to the House, where ArMA will continue to lobby legislators on the dangers of non-medically trained individuals administering these treatments in the out-patient setting.
ArMA Opposed
HCR2056: Constitutional Amendment on Medical Mandates
House Concurrent Resolution 2056 passed the House this week along partisan lines. If approved by the Senate, the measure would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would establish a right for individuals to refuse medical mandates from the government.
Should voters approve such an amendment, the practical implications for public health in Arizona would be serious. ArMA opposed the resolution, and our Advocacy Team will continue to monitor its progress in the Senate.
Monitoring
HB2251: Licensed Midwives Bill Passes House
House Bill 2251, addressing midwife medication administration and an advisory committee, has passed out of the House. While the bill is improved from its introduced version, more work remains to be done in the Senate to ensure appropriate oversight. ArMA's Advocacy Team will continue to monitor the legislation closely and participate in ongoing negotiations.
