We’re approaching crossover week, meaning the bills start crossing to the other chamber if they’ve passed their chamber of origin. Most bills must pass at least one committee in their chamber of origin by this week to stay alive. Many won’t make it. Some will be revived through procedural maneuvers. That’s how this place works.
We see real progress in Medicaid dental access, behavioral health reform, licensing modernization, and workforce development. At the same time, there’s sustained pressure to weaken vaccine policy, and narrow SNAP flexibility.
Crossover week will narrow the field, and our list will get smaller… but the session is far from over. Below is where things stand—organized by policy area—with our positions clearly noted.
Remember, you can check on the status of any of these on the Legislature’s RTS system at Introduced Bills.
AHCCCS & Medicaid Policy
We Support
HB2051 – Breastfeeding & Lactation Coverage
Passed House Health
Expands AHCCCS coverage for inpatient and outpatient lactation services and addresses reimbursement gaps that have limited provider participation.
HB2542 – Preventive Dental Care
Passed House Health
Allows the existing $1,000 emergency dental benefit to be used for preventive services—an important modernization step.
HB2958 – Dental Care for Pregnant Members
Passed House Health
Requires AHCCCS to cover comprehensive dental services during pregnancy, funded through prescription rebate dollars.
SB1372 – Medicaid Dental Study Committee
Senate Health 2/18
Creates a committee to evaluate feasibility of a broader adult dental benefit.
HB2177 – American Indian Waivers
Passed House Health
Restores tribal waiver services discontinued in 2010, improving access to culturally appropriate care.
SB1169 – Graduate Medical Education
Passed Senate Health
Provides $18M in funding authority for residency expansion to strengthen the workforce pipeline.
We Oppose
SB1236 – AHCCCS Enrollment Verification Expansion
Passed Senate Health
Adds additional quarterly and monthly data-sharing and verification layers, increasing bureaucracy without clear evidence of improved integrity.
Behavioral Health & Serious Mental Illness
We Support
HB2673 – Mental Health Screening in Jails
Up in House Health this week
Requires screening, assessment, and treatment for incarcerated individuals when indicated.
HB2923 – Court-Ordered Treatment Reform
Up in House Health this week
Clarifies judicial standards and strengthens due process protections.
SB1716 – Clozapine Monitoring
Up in Senate Health this week
Prevents dangerous medication interruptions for individuals with serious mental illness.
SB1813 – State Hospital Governance Reform
Up in Senate Health this week
Extracts the Arizona State Hospital from ADHS and establishes independent governance to resolve conflict-of-interest concerns.
Vaccination & Public Health Authority
We Oppose
HB2005 / SB1194 – Vaccination Status; Unprofessional Conduct
Prevents clinicians from declining electively unvaccinated patients.
HB2248 – Medical Interventions; Prohibition
Sweeping anti-vaccine bill micromanaging private and medical entities.
HB2086 – Mask & Vaccine Mandate Prohibition
Restricts businesses and governments from requiring vaccination or masks.
HCR2056 – “Right to Refuse” Constitutional Amendment
Would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit vaccine or treatment requirements across nearly all settings.
SB1011 – Vaccination Status on Death Certificates
Requires medical examiners to record vaccination status on death certificates.
SB1212 – Vaccine Incentive Payment Restrictions
Prohibits insurers from tying vaccine administration payments to performance measures.
SNAP & Public Benefits
We Oppose
HB2206 – SNAP Error Rate Mandate
Requires reduction of SNAP payment error rate to 3% and imposes forensic audit requirements.
HB2396 – SNAP Allowed Purchases Changes
Requires DES to seek waiver altering eligible foods.
HB2448 – SNAP Work Requirement Waivers
Restricts the state’s ability to request federal waivers.
HB2797 – SNAP/TANF Verification Expansion
Adds substantial administrative burden to eligibility processes.
We Support
HB2683 – SNAP Shutdown Contingency Fund
Creates $5M reserve to protect benefits during federal shutdown.
HB2224 – Produce Incentive Program ($2M annually)
Invests in healthier food access.
Health System Oversight & Licensing
We Support
HB2176 – ADHS Licensing Reform
Prevents “license swapping,” improves notice standards, and formalizes dispute resolution.
HB2194 – Prior Authorization Appeal Transparency
HB2195 – Nursing Facility Survey Reform
HB2914 / SB1564 – Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care
HB2178 – Licensed Chief Medical Officers
Immigration & Civil Liberties
We Oppose
SB1051 – Hospital Immigration Status Reporting
