Physicians Applaud Repeal of Arizona’s Pre-statehood Pregnancy Termination Ban

May 1, 2024

PHOENIX, Arizona — The Arizona Medical Association applauds state officials for passing legislation to repeal the pre-statehood ban on pregnancy termination. Once in effect, House Bill 2677 (abortion ban; repeal) will eliminate the threat the pre-statehood ban poses to the health, well-being, and lives of Arizona’s pregnant patients. 

The passage of HB2677, which Governor Katie Hobbs signed into law today, marks a hard-fought and necessary win for the patient and physician communities. 

“Thanks to dedicated advocates and public servants, this policy, crafted before the advent of modern medicine, will not stand,” stated William C. Thompson IV, MD, FASA, president of ArMA. “We commend Governor Hobbs and members of the Arizona State Legislature — including Representatives Stephanie Stahl Hamilton and Matt Gress and Senators Anna Hernandez and T.J. Shope — for being in lockstep with the physician community on the need to repeal this ban, which deeply impacts our patients.” 

Together, physicians and the larger healthcare community stood united on repealing Arizona’s pre-statehood ban, which threatened patients’ health and physicians’ practice of medicine. Alongside more than 20 other organizations and hundreds of advocates, ArMA called on legislators to find common ground and repeal the ban for the sake of patients and their health care. 

“ArMA is deeply appreciative of those who stood with us in condemning governmental interference in the patient-physician relationship and rejecting laws criminalizing physicians for evidence-based procedures,” shared Dr. Thompson. “HB2677 is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy and organized medicine, which ArMA is honored to lead in our state.” 

Despite HB2677’s passage, there remain challenges related to pregnancy termination for patients and physicians. Although the pre-statehood ban will not be enforceable until at least June 27, the repeal will not go into effect until a much later date. During that time, the pre-statehood ban will be enforceable, and Arizonans will be left without access to an essential form of reproductive health care. 

Even after the repeal of the pre-statehood ban becomes effective, pregnant patients and their physicians will once again need to navigate the state’s pre-existing 15-week ban on pregnancy termination, which severely undermines the patient-physician relationship and denies patients access to health care. 

ArMA remains at the forefront of discussions impacting the practice of medicine, patient care, and reproductive health. To date, ArMA has championed efforts to protect patients and physicians, including a repeal of the pre-statehood pregnancy termination ban and securing an agreement with the State to create a 45-day delay in the ban’s enforcement. 

ArMA firmly maintains that reproductive health care is essential to overall health. Pregnancy termination is an essential component of reproductive health care, and it should not be criminalized. This is not yet over, and ArMA will continue to fight for Arizonans. 

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 .