HB 2723
Initials AG/KM Page 1 Health & Human Services
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
HB2723: sickle cell disease; annual review
Sponsor: Representative Marshall, LD 7
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Directs the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to conduct an annual
review of all medications, treatments and services available for sickle cell disease to determine if
they adequately meet the needs of members diagnosed with sickle cell disease and whether
AHCCCS should add medications, treatments or services.
History
AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program that is jointly funded by the federal and state
governments for individuals and families who qualify based on income level. AHCCCS consists
of contracts with contractors for the provision of hospitalization and medical coverage to members
(A.R.S. § 36-2903).
AHCCCS requires contractors to provide covered health and medical services to members,
including: 1) inpatient hospital services; 2) outpatient health services; 3) laboratory and X-ray
services; 4) prescription medications; 5) medical supplies, durable medical equipment, insulin
pumps and prosthetic devices; 6) treatment of medical conditions of the eye; 7) early and periodic
health screening and diagnostic services; 8) family planning services; 9) podiatry services; 10)
nonexperimental transplants; 11) emergency dental care; 12) ambulance and non-ambulance
transportation; 13) hospice care; 14) orthotics; 15) medically necessary chiropractic services; and
16) diabetes outpatient self-management training services (A.R.S. § 36-2907).
Statute describes sickle cell anemia as a heritable disorder which leads to physical defects. It is
the policy of this state to make every effort to detect it as early as possible. The AHCCCS Director
has the responsibility of designating tests and regulations to be used in executing this policy. Such
tests must be in accordance with accepted medical practices (A.R.S. § 36-797.41).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also describes sickle cell anemia as a
group of inherited red blood cell disorders that creates sickled red blood cells that die quickly,
causing a constant shortage of blood cells, or clog blood flow, causing pain, infections, acute
chest syndrome and stroke.
Provisions
1. Requires AHCCCS to conduct an annual review of all medications and treatments for sickle
cell disease and services available to members with sickle cell disease that are eligible for
coverage. (Sec. 1)
2. States that the purpose of the annual review is to determine whether the available covered
medications, treatments and services are adequate to meet the needs of members diagnosed
with sickle cell disease and whether AHCCCS should seek to add additional medications,
treatments or services. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2723
Initials AG/KM Page 2 Health & Human Services
3. Directs AHCCCS to solicit and consider input from the general public when conducting the
annual review, with specific emphasis on attempting to receive input from persons or groups
with knowledge and experience in the area of sickle cell disease treatment. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires AHCCCS to file a report by January 15, 2024, and each year thereafter, containing
their findings from the annual review and recommendations based on those findings. (Sec. 1)
5. Asserts that AHCCCS must submit the report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Health and Human Services
Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate, or their successor committees,
and provide a copy to the Secretary of State. (Sec. 1)
6. Adds that AHCCCS must post the annual report on its public website. (Sec. 1)