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. 

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.