Our Public Policy Priorities
AzPHA has a very active Public Policy Committee comprised of members and Board Members who are committed to improving the health of every Arizonan through engaging our members, partners, policymakers and the public to bring strong public health policies to the forefront.
- Supporting and protecting public health budgets and infrastructure to meet the needs of Arizona's growing population.
- Supporting Access to Health Care (including universal access).
- Supporting and protecting healthy environments including safe water, clean air, urban planning, tobacco-free lifestyles.
Current Priorities
PROPOSITION 449
AZPHA RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE ON PROPOSITION 449 Maricopa County voters are being asked to continue the property tax levy for the Maricopa County Special Health Care District. The assessment is due to expire in 2024 when its 20-year life span comes to its conclusion. The tax levy represents about 12% of the District’s revenue which is approximately $81.9M and is crucial to maintaining Valleywise Health’s mission. Valleywise Health (formerly known as Maricopa
PROPOSITION 208
AZPHA RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE ON PROPOSITION 208: INVEST IN ED FACT SHEET: ARIZONA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM IS CRITICAL IN PROMOTING PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS According to the CDC, the direct contact and amount of time schools have with 95% of our nation’s children and youth make them critical in promoting student health and safety and helping them to establish lifelong health patterns. The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health found that student connection
PROPOSITION 207
PROPOSITION 207 (SMART AND SAFE ARIZONA ACT) POSES BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS AND BENEFITS AZPHA IS NOT TAKING A POSITION ON PROPOSITION 207 BECAUSE OF THE NUANCED PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS AND BENEFITS AzPHA is neutral on Proposition 207 aka the Smart and Safe Arizona Act. It would legalize the possession and use of up to 1 ounce of marijuana (for people 21 and over) and set up licensed retail stores where up to