Governor Hobbs Signs "Test and Treat" Legislation Into Law

June 26, 2026

Senate Bill 1713 allows pharmacists to independently prescribe for flu, strep, COVID-19, and HIV PrEP, despite ArMA's multi-year opposition over patient safety and care coordination concerns.


SB1713 Signed After Multi-Year Fight

After a multi-year fight against "Test and Treat" legislation, Governor Katie Hobbs has signed SB1713 (pharmacists; independent testing; treatment) into law. The legislation will allow pharmacists to prescribe specified medications for:

  • Flu
  • Strep
  • COVID-19
  • HIV PrEP


ArMA's Position on Physician-Led Care

While pharmacists play a critical role on the healthcare team, ArMA has long maintained that diagnosis and treatment decisions are best made within a physician-led care model that considers a patient's full medical history, co-morbidities, medications, and ongoing care needs.


ArMA remains concerned that expanding independent practice authority without equivalent medical training may:

  • Increase fragmentation of care
  • Create challenges in care coordination
  • Potentially compromise patient safety


ArMA's Advocacy Moving Forward

As the law is implemented, ArMA will continue advocating for policies that strengthen team-based care, preserve physician oversight of medical decision-making, and ensure that Arizona patients receive the highest standard of coordinated, comprehensive care.

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.  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.