RTS Action Alert: Health Care Bills
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Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona affirms that health care is not merely a commodity — it is a shared responsibility rooted in love of neighbor and justice. As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) teaches, “health care is a shared endeavor” among individuals, churches, government, and society. Public policy decisions shape who has access to care, who is left behind, and whether health systems serve dignity or profit. As Lutherans, we advocate for equitable access to basic health care for all.
We SUPPORT healthcare policies that:
Increase access to basic, affordable health coverage
Strengthen Medicaid/AHCCCS and protect coverage for low-income families, seniors, children, and people with disabilities
Protect mental health parity and expand behavioral health access
Support maternal and child health and reduce preventable mortality
Invest in public health infrastructure, prevention, and rural health systems
Ensure fair reimbursement and workforce support for caregivers and providers
Preserve dignity in end-of-life care, including access to palliative and hospice services.
We OPPOSE healthcare policies that:
Create unnecessary eligibility barriers
Shift costs to struggling families
Undermine public health protections
Treat health care purely as a market commodity
Following are bills LAMA has been tracking this session. If you attended Lutheran Day at the Legislature, these are the bills on the Healthcare handout.
SB1372 — Medicaid Dental Study Committee / Now nurse anesthetist; insurance; reimbursement rates
Strike-Everything Amendment Adopted by House Committee on Health & Human Services 3/24
Striker: Prohibits hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health care services organizations and disability insurers from reimbursing certified registered nurse anesthetists at a rate different from physicians for the same services in contracts or policies issued, amended or renewed on or after the effective date of this legislation. Allows insurers to establish variable reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures and exempts certified registered nurse anesthetists employed by private equity-owned practices.
SB1169 — Graduate Medical Education
Passed Senate; House First Reading 3/24; Referred to Referred to House Health & Human Services; presumed dead
Sen. Carine Werner. Expands access to behavioral and mental health services. Affirms that mental health is essential to whole-person care.
Why it matters: This bill protects equitable access to essential health services and strengthens the public systems that serve Arizona families. Health care should uphold dignity and reduce barriers, ensuring timely, compassionate care for those with limited resources.
HB2051 — Breastfeeding & Lactation Coverage
Passed House; Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology passed with amendment (9 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0) 3/24
Rep. Lisa Fink. Strengthens stability and continuity in health coverage. Ensures fewer Arizonans fall through administrative gaps.
Why it matters: Healthy beginnings require communal support. Families should not be left to navigate early care alone. This legislation provides practical, evidence-based support for parents and infants; Reduces health disparities in postpartum care; Embodies health as a shared endeavor, not an individual burden.
HB2958 — Dental Care for Pregnant Members
Passed House Health & Human Services 2/09; presumed dead
Rep. Consuelo Hernandez. Improves accountability and patient protections within the health system.
Promotes fairness and transparency.
Why it matters: Caring for pregnant people protects two lives at once and strengthens families and communities for the long term. This bill improves maternal and infant health outcomes and reduces preventable complications.
HB2177 — American Indian Waivers
Passed House COW 2/18; Passed Senate Federalism (6 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0) on 3/06; Placed On Senate Caucus Calendar on 3/17
Rep. Julie Willoughby. Protects economically and medically vulnerable Arizonans. Addresses gaps that disproportionately harm low-income families.
Why it matters: This bill strengthens access to essential health services and reduces unnecessary barriers for those relying on public coverage. Policies should expand timely, equitable care—not delay or deny it.
Bill of concern & why we oppose it:
HCR2056 — “Right to Refuse” Constitutional Amendment
Passed House; Senate Scheduled for Senate Government hearing - Wednesday, 03/25/2026 7:00 AM
Rep. Nick Kupper. Would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit vaccine or treatment requirements across nearly all settings.
We oppose this proposed constitutional amendment because it would weaken proven public health protections and limit the state’s ability to safeguard vulnerable communities. Policies must balance individual rights with care for neighbors and the common good.
If you have not used your RTS account before, or need a refresher, read on for a quick guide.
Click here to log into your account. If your account was set up by our office, you received an email from us with your password! After you log in, click on the RTS Application— the blue square with the microphone icon.
This will take you to the RTS dashboard. Select “My Bill Positions” from the menu on the list.
This is where you can add your opinion to the public record! In the search bar, enter the “HB2054",” then click on the bill that comes up.
Once you have the bill selected, click the green thumbs up to indicate your favor for the bill. Then, click the blue Add button.
After you click Add, your stance will be noted on record. It will added to the list of bills you support, and your name will be added to the list of the bill’s supporters.
And there you have it, you have now officially used your RTS account! The RTS system offers many more opportunities to speak on bills, read bill texts, stay up-to-date on committee hearings, and see who else has spoken on a bill, and we encourage you to explore it! Bills will be open for written and spoken comments when they are being heard in committee— stay tuned for our alerts!