Stakeholder Advocacy Achieved Policy Success

Consistent and widespread advocacy by a host of Stakeholders achieved some policy success this week. Well done all!

Last Wednesday the governor issued a new Executive Order (E.O. 40) which includes some welcome intervention measures that collectively will help mitigate the spread of the virus. In addition to the new Executive Order, he also made some public commitments to implement other interventions. Here’s a run-down of the elements in the new Order and a discussion of the other promises made at last Wednesday’s press briefing:

Wednesday’s Executive Order allows cities and counties to require face coverings while in public spaces. Dozens of cities and several counties quickly jumped on-board the evidence-based policy express this week. Maricopa, Pima, and Santa Cruz counties even passed county wide ordinances that cover the entire county (not just the unincorporated places).

Under the former Executive Order, businesses bars and restaurants were encouraged to follow CDC recommended mitigation measures. Under the new E.O. these businesses are required to implement the measures.  Here are the new requirements for Businesses, Restaurants & Bars. Local jurisdictions will be able to ensure compliance with the requirements.

Over the last couple of months AARP had sent the governor 4 letters urging him to order more comprehensive measures to prevent the spread of the virus in assisted living and skilled nursing among other changes. That advocacy eventually worked. During the conference yesterday, the governor announced that the state will spend $10M for testing and PPE in these facilities and will now allow the Ombudsman to resume visits. Welcome changes indeed. Note: Some measures are already underway in this area- for example Maricopa County Public Health has also committed $10M toward testing and PPE in long term care facilities.

The new E.O. addresses contact tracing- stating that ADHS shall set statewide contact tracing standards and protocols and that all counties must follow them until “… ADHS determines that they have the needed infrastructure and resources…“.   I can’t figure out how this is helpful, as county health departments are currently working under existing contact tracing practices. He also committed to engaging about 300 national guard troops in contact tracing.

Editorial Note: Last Wednesday’s decisions demonstrate that evidence-based public advocacy (informed by academia) can drive policy change. Letters and other advocacy efforts by doctors, hospital systems, managed care organizations, the AARP, AzPHA and other groups built a critical mass of support for the policy changes that we’ve been advocating for over the last couple of weeks including:

  1. Requiring face coverings in public;

  2. Better mitigation compliance expectations for businesses;

  3. Allowing cities to implement mitigation strategies;

  4. More focus on infection control and testing in care homes; and

  5. Enhanced contact tracing.

While the policy changes last week aren’t precisely what we’ve been advocating for, it’s a big step forward… and it’s solid evidence that vocal evidence-based public advocacy can drive policy change. 

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