The Healthcare Budget Reconciliation Bill: More State Level Eligibility Checks
The budget is not just a list of appropriations. It also includes budget reconciliation bills, or BRBs. These bills amend state law that are connected to the budget. The healthcare BRB has a long list of AHCCCS eligibility directives. Some are reasonable efforts to improve accuracy. Others will just create more administrative barriers for eligible members. Here’s the condensed version of AHCCCS’ new responsibilities in the Health BRB. AHCCCS must:
Divided State Government Produces a Decent Public Health Budget
Arizona finally has a state budget agreement. Gov. Hobbs & Republican leaders from the Arizona House and Senate negotiated a compromise budget of nearly $18.3 billion for the fiscal year that begins July 1. In the end it passed with a coalition of some Dems and some Republicans. Nobody got everything they wanted. From a public health perspective, the most important things to know are that AHCCCS and ADES got
2026 Legislative Session Hotwash: The Budget, the Bills, and the Ballot Propositions
Divided State Government Produces a Decent Public Health Budget Arizona finally has a state budget agreement. Gov. Hobbs & Republican leaders from the Arizona House and Senate negotiated a compromise budget of nearly $18.3 billion for the fiscal year that begins July 1. In the end it passed with a coalition of some Dems and some Republicans. Nobody got everything they wanted. From a public health perspective, the most important
Overdose Deaths Are Falling Nationwide Why Is Arizona Moving in the Wrong Direction?
There’s encouraging news about the overdose crisis in the United States. Drug overdose deaths fell for the third year in a row in 2025. But Arizona is heading in the opposite direction. In a new AzPHA special report by Allan Williams, PhD, MPH, we took a closer look at the numbers. Nationwide, estimated overdose deaths dropped by nearly 14% last year, falling from about 81,300 deaths in 2024 to just
Getting Past NIMBY’s Chokehold on Housing
One of the biggest obstacles to affordable housing is the NIMBY effect: “Not in My Backyard.” Many people agree that we need more affordable housing, especially progressives. They support apartments, duplexes and townhomes in theory. But when a proposed project is near their neighborhood, they’re suddenly totally against affordable housing. Their opposition is often loud and organized. They’ll say: “I’m all for affordable housing, but this isn’t the right place for it!”
CMS Finally Defines What Counts Toward Their New Work Requirements
Dr. Oz finally released the details of the new Medicaid work and community engagement requirements for Medicaid members in the ‘expansion population’. Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals Interim Final Rule with Comment Period (CMS-2454-IFC) | CMS The new rules apply to people 19-64 with incomes between 100 and 138% of poverty. Starting January (or more accurately at their 1st redetermination date after January 1). Members in the expansion population