U of A, Gila River Health Care Launch Nation's First Tribal Medical School Branch for MD Candidates

August 21, 2026

New campus will train physicians inside a tribally operated healthcare system, targeting the rural and Tribal physician shortage.

A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership

The University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care recently announced a partnership to open the country's first medical school branch for MD candidates located on the lands of a sovereign Tribal Nation. The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix Regional Medical Branch in Sacaton will admit 10 students annually starting in July 2027 through a three-year, accelerated primary care program.


How the Program Works

  • Students receive full tuition scholarships funded by Gila River Health Care.
  • The first 18 months of foundational education take place in Phoenix.
  • The final 18 months of clinical training happen in Sacaton, inside the Gila River Health Care system.
  • Primary care residency programs at Gila River Health Care are also under exploration.
  • Gila River Health Care has committed more than $25 million through 2034 to fund faculty positions, scholarships and infrastructure for the branch.


Addressing a Growing Shortage

Arizona ranks among the ten worst states in the country for primary care access. As the state's population continues to grow rapidly, targeted investments in the physician workforce are critical for supporting high-quality patient care, especially in rural and Tribal communities. U of A leaders say its new program, which will help trainees establish strong connections with local communities, is a proven, long-term method for expanding the physician pipeline and supporting rural healthcare.


Part of a Broader Strategy

The Sacaton branch builds on a similar community-based medical education partnership the University of Arizona announced last year with Onvida Health in Yuma. Leaders from both organizations say they expect more partnerships of this kind to shape the future of medical education across the state.


GME Must Keep Pace With Medical Education

As medical education in Arizona expands, the Arizona Medical Association's advocacy for graduate medical education funding grows alongside it. Medical schools across our state, including the University of Arizona, are educating the next era of compassionate, forward-looking physicians. However, without the graduate medical education funding our state needs to meet workforce demands, these talented trainees have limited opportunities to live and work in Arizona, where their expertise is needed.


That's why ArMA advocates for increased GME funding at the Arizona State Capitol and beyond. Just last year, we successfully secured $4 million in federally matched funding to expand local residency programs and train the next generation of Arizona physicians. While this investment is meaningful, it is far from enough. We are committed to ensuring that every Arizona medical student has the opportunity to become an Arizona physician.


Source: University of Arizona and Gila River Health Care

Photo Credit: Chris Richards/University of Arizona Communications

Arizona Prison Health Care Oversight Moves Forward

By Admin User • October 2, 2026
State Attorneys Denied Emergency Stay on Court-ordered Receivership of Prison Health Care System The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday denied Arizona's last-ditch effort to temporarily halt a court-ordered takeover of health care operations and management within state-run prisons. Without an emergency stay of the court's order, Arizona's Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Re-entry must turn over the management of its health care operations for roughly 25,000 incarcerated people to Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, beginning on October 19. 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 mandated that health care in Arizona prisons would be overseen by Annette Chambers-Smith, former director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, to take over as receiver effective Oct. 19. A Last-Ditch Appeal Attorneys for the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay a court-ordered receivership of the state's prison health care system. The request came after both a federal district court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause the takeover. In the 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. Arguments on Both Sides Clement argues receivership should have been the last resort and that Silver moved to it too quickly. He asserted that the department 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 gave the department years of opportunities to comply before ordering receivership. What Happens Next Health care for thousands of incarcerated people will be managed under Chambers-Smith's oversight, as mandated by Silver, beginning on Oct. 19. The receivership affects all nine of Arizona's state-run prisons but will not impact health care for inmates in private facilities. Information in this article was sourced from the Arizona Mirror and Arizona's Family .

CMS Releases 2025 MIPS Final Scores — Physicians Have 60 Days to Contest

By Admin User • October 2, 2026
Eligible clinicians and group practices can request a targeted review of their final score before 2027 payment adjustments take effect. Final Scores Are Out, Adjustments Follow in About a Month The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released Merit-based Incentive Payment System performance feedback and final scores for the 2025 performance year. The 2025 final score determines the payment adjustment eligible clinicians and group practices will receive in 2027, and 2027 MIPS payment adjustments will be available in approximately one month. If an eligible clinician or group practice believes CMS calculated their final score or 2027 payment adjustment incorrectly, they must file a targeted review with CMS within 60 days. How the Targeted Review Window Works The targeted review window opened with the release of final scores and will close 30 days after the release of MIPS payment adjustments. CMS will announce the release of payment adjustments through the QPP listserv in approximately one month. CMS generally requires documentation to support a targeted review request, which varies by circumstance, and a CMS representative will contact applicants about any specific documentation required. If a targeted review request is approved and results in a scoring change, CMS will update the final score and, if applicable, the associated payment adjustment as soon as technically feasible. Common Reasons to File a Targeted Review Data were submitted under the wrong Tax Identification Number or National Provider Identifier. The clinician has Qualifying APM Participant status and shouldn't receive a MIPS payment adjustment. Performance categories weren't automatically reweighted despite qualifying for reweighting due to extreme and uncontrollable circumstances. How to Request a Targeted Review Sign in at qpp.cms.gov using HARP credentials, or ACO-MS credentials for Shared Savings Program ACOs — the same credentials used to submit 2025 MIPS data. Then click "Targeted Review" in the left-hand navigation. Source: American Medical Association, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Quality Payment Program