CDC Vaccine Recommendations in Limbo Amid Leadership Uncertainty
Last week the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended expanding RSV vaccinations to adults aged 50–59 with underlying health conditions and endorsed a new combination meningococcal vaccine for teens. Normally, this ACIP recommendation would be translated into policy when (if) the CDC adopts the recommendation. Not this time. Acting CDC Director Susan Monarez has recused herself because of “legal limitations” pending her Senate confirmation… meaning the CDC Chief of
That’s A Wrap: AZPHA’s 2025 Conference
Thank you to all the attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, poster presenters and AZPHA board members who attended our 2025 conference on April 3! All in all we had about 250 attendees at the conference – and by all accounts, engagement was very good – with little attrition as the day progressed. Here’s a link to the conference Speaker Biographies, Session Learning Objectives and our final Conference Brochure. Below are links to many of the presentations that
U.S. Supreme Court Could Roll Back, Freeze or Eliminate Preventive Health Coverage – Oral Arguments Tomorrow (4/21/25)
On Monday the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Braidwood Management v. Becerra, which could roll back and freeze coverage for key preventive health services and screenings currently required by the Affordable Care Act. The new name for the case is Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. At issue is whether commercial health plans have to continue to cover (w/o co pays) the Category A & B preventive services recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services
Public Health Journalism this Week
Fluoride removal push concerns experts U.S. Health Secretary pushes reevaluation of fluoride in water – Arizona PBS Who’s been held accountable for Arizona’s $2.5B Medicaid fraud? ‘It’s gonna have a terrible outcome’: What this former AHCCCS director says about Medicaid cuts Work requirements may be coming for Medicaid in Arizona. What to know RFK Jr.-backed bill to ban certain junk food in public schools signed
Legislative Update: April 19, 2025
The AZ legislative session is in a bit of a stasis right now. No doubt you’ve heard about the standoff between Hobbs & the majority at the legislature regarding funding for services for folks with developmental disabilities. Last week Hobbs told the legislature she’ll be vetoing any new bills that arrive at her desk until the DD funding shortfall for the current fiscal year is resolved – hence the stasis.
AHCCCS Asks Permission to Implement Work Requirements & Five-Year Benefit Limit
AHCCCS just turned in their waiver request to the CMS asking permission to implement work reporting requirements and establish a five-year lifetime limit on Medicaid benefits for certain adults. The proposal aligns with Senate Bill 1092 (enacted in 2015) which requires AHCCCS to annually ask CMS permission to implement a work requirement & 5-year lifetime benefit cap for able bodied adults. See the Final Submitted Waiver Request As you might expect