RTS Action Alert: Healthcare 2026
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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.
According to Will Humble at the Arizona Public Health Assn., “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.
Remember, you can check on the status of any of these on the Legislature’s RTS system at Introduced Bills.
This week, we invite you to explore the RTS System by reviewing the bills we’re tracking policies that address AHCCCS & Medicaid Policy, Behavioral Health & Serious Mental Illness and more.
SUPPORT
HB2051 – AHCCCS; lactation care; breastfeeding
Passed House Health
Expands AHCCCS coverage for inpatient and outpatient lactation services and addresses reimbursement gaps that have limited provider participation.
SUPPORT
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.
HB2542 – AHCCCS; preventive dental care
Passed House Health
Allows the existing $1,000 emergency dental benefit to be used for preventive services—an important modernization step.
SUPPORT
Dental care is health care. Preventing pain, infection, and emergency crises is an act of stewardship and compassion. This bill addresses a long-standing gap that harms low-income adults; Prevents costly emergency care; Affirms the worth of every body, not just those who can afford coverage.
HB2958 – AHCCCS; dental care; pregnant women
Passed House Health
Requires AHCCCS to cover comprehensive dental services during pregnancy, funded through prescription rebate dollars.
SUPPORT
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; Reduces preventable complications; Reflects our call to nurture life and promote wholeness.
SB1372 – medicaid; dental benefit study committee
Senate Health 2/18
Creates a committee to evaluate feasibility of a broader adult dental benefit.
SUPPORT
LAMA supports SB1372 because it advances fair, timely access to care and strengthens Arizona’s health safety net. Health care is a shared endeavor, and this policy helps ensure families—especially those with limited resources—are not blocked by unnecessary barriers or delays.
HB2177 – AHCCCS; waivers; American Indians; services
Passed House Health
Restores tribal waiver services discontinued in 2010, improving access to culturally appropriate care.
SUPPORT
LAMA supports HB2177 because it strengthens access to essential health services and reduces unnecessary barriers for those relying on public coverage. Health care is a shared responsibility, and policies should expand timely, equitable care—not delay or deny it for Arizona families.
SB1169 – appropriations; graduate medical education program
Passed Senate Health
Appropriates $10 million from the state general fund and $18.77 million in expenditure authority in FY2026-27 to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration for graduate medical education programs to address Arizona’s physician shortage. Allows the monies to be used for direct and indirect graduate medical education costs and for start-up costs for new residency programs, and specifies that state funds may supplement but not supplant voluntary local payments to hospitals operating graduate medical education programs.
SUPPORT
LAMA supports SB1169 because it 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.
Other healthcare bills 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.
OPPOSE
SB1051 — hospitals; patient immigration status; reporting
Requires hospitals that accept payments under the hospital assessment program to include a place on admission or registration forms for patients or their representatives to indicate citizenship or lawful presence status, with a statement that the response will not affect care or be reported to immigration authorities. Requires hospitals to submit quarterly reports to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) summarizing admissions and emergency department visits by reported immigration status or nonresponse, without personal identifying information. Requires AZDHS to submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature describing statewide totals and the costs and impacts of uncompensated care associated with patients not lawfully present in the United States.
OPPOSE
LAMA opposes SB1051 because it risks adding barriers and undermining equitable access to essential health services. Health care is a shared responsibility, and policies should protect the most vulnerable—not restrict, stigmatize, or weaken the safety net Arizona families rely on.
HCR2056 – medical mandates; right to refuse
Would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit vaccine or treatment requirements across nearly all settings. Proposes a constitutional “Right to Refuse” amendment to recognize and protect the right of individuals to refuse medical mandates by prohibiting a government entity from mandating, requiring, coercing, or compelling any individual to accept, receive, or administer a medical product or treatment. Establishes specified exceptions, including court-ordered treatment in limited circumstances, law enforcement custody and criminal investigations, parental decision-making for minors, emergency medical care when consent cannot be obtained, federal law requirements, and existing Arizona requirements for diagnostic tests or procedures. If passed by the Legislature, this legislation will be submitted to the voters at the 2026 general election.
OPPOSE
LAMA opposes this proposed constitutional amendment because it would weaken proven public health protections and limit the state’s ability to safeguard vulnerable communities. Health is a shared responsibility, and 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!