HB 2826
Initials AG Page 1 Appropriations
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2826: health boards; AHCCCS; continuation.
Sponsor: Representative Livingston, LD 28
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Continues the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and various health regulatory
boards.
History
Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)
Laws 1981, Fourth Special Session, Chapter 1, effective 1982, established AHCCCS to
administer Arizona's Medicaid program. AHCCCS operates under an integrated managed care
model, through a Research and Demonstration 1115 Waiver pursuant to Section 1115 of the
Social Security Act. AHCCCS is a federal health care program, jointly funded by the federal and
state government, that contracts with health plans for the delivery of health care services to low-
income individuals, children and families who qualify for Medicaid and other assistance programs.
Members must meet certain financial and non-financial requirements to be eligible for AHCCCS.
Contracted health plans provide services to enrolled members and receive a fixed monthly
amount or capitation payment for each enrolled member. AHCCCS enrolled members receive a
full range of medical services under the following categories: 1) inpatient and outpatient services;
2) long term care services; and 3) behavioral health services (A.R.S. §§ 36-2901, 36-2904, 36-
2907, 36-2932 and 36- 3403).
The Director of AHCCCS is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate (A.R.S. §
36-2902). AHCCCS terminates on July 1, 2023, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation
(A.R.S. § 41-3023.01).
Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX)
The BODEX was established in 1913 to regulate and license dental professionals, including
dentists, dental hygienists, dental consultants, dental therapists, denturists, and dental assistants.
Its mission is to provide professional, courteous service and information to the dental profession
and the public through examination, licensure, complaint adjudication and enforcement processes
to protect the oral health, safety and welfare of Arizona citizens. BODEX reviews complaints,
investigates allegations and takes disciplinary action for violations of law (A.R.S. §§ 32-1203, 32-
1207, 32-1233, 32-1234, 32-1261, 32-1276.01, 32-1284 and 32-1295).
BODEX consists of 11 members appointed by the Governor to serve four-year terms: 1) six
licensed dentists; 2) two licensed dental hygienists; 3) two public members; and 4) one business
entity member (A.R.S. § 32-1203). BODEX terminates on July 1, 2023, unless legislation is
enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-3023.07).
Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy (ABMT)
Established in 2003, ABMT licenses and regulates massage therapists who specialize in the
wellness, relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief, postural improvement or therapeutic benefits of HB 2826
Initials AG Page 2 Appropriations
the public. Its mission is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Arizona citizens by regulating
and maintaining the standards of the massage therapy profession. ABMT evaluates the
professional competency of massage therapists and promotes continued competency and fitness
by investigating complaints, holding hearings, monitoring the activities of its licensees, providing
information to the public and enforcing the standards of practice for the massage therapy
profession as set forth by law (A.R.S. §§ 32-4201, 32-4203, 32- 4222, 32-4225, 32-4253, 32-4254
and 32-4259).
ABMT consists of five members, three public members and two massage therapists all appointed
by the Governor to five-year terms (A.R.S. § 32-4202).
ABMT terminates on July 1, 2023, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-
3023.10).
Arizona Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board (NPMB)
NPMB was created in 1935 to protect the public through regulation of the practice of naturopathic
medicine. NPMB responsibilities include: 1) issuing licenses and certificates to qualified
applicants; 2) investigating and resolving complaints; 3) adopting rules relating to naturopathic
training and education programs; 4) regulating naturopathic medical students and naturopathic
medical assistants; and 5) providing information to the public about licensees and certificate
holders (A.R.S. §§ 32-1504, 32-1524, 32-1551, 32-1555 and 32-1559).
NPMB consists of seven members, four naturopathic physicians and three public members who
are appointed by the Governor for five-year terms (A.R.S. § 32-1502).
NPMB terminates on July 1, 2023, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-
3023.05).
Arizona State Board of Optometry (SBO)
SBO was created in 1907 to protect the health, safety and welfare of Arizona citizens by licensing
and regulating optometrists. It accomplishes this by: 1) issuing licenses to qualified applicants to
practice optometry; 2) investigating and adjudicating complaints against licensees; 3) adopting
rules used to approve continuing education programs for licensees to maintain competency; and
4) providing information about licensees to the public, including disciplinary and nondisciplinary
histories (A.R.S. §§ 32-1704, 32-1722, 32-1742 and 32-1744).
SBO consists of seven members, five optometrists and two public members, who are appointed
by the Governor to serve four-year terms (A.R.S. § 32-1702).
SBO terminates on July 1, 2023, unless legislation is enacted for its continuation (A.R.S. § 41-
3023.08).
Senate Health and Human Services and House Health & Human Services Committees of
Reference (COR)
The COR met jointly on January 12, 2023, to review the performance audits and sunset reviews
conducted by the Auditor General, evaluate the agencies response to the sunset factors and
receive public testimony. The COR recommended that BODEX and ABMT be continued for two
years and that AHCCCS, NPMB and SBO be continued for six y ears. Additional
recommendations were also adopted for each agency and can be found in their COR reports
located here.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2023, the following agencies until July 1, 2025:
a) BODEX; and
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note HB 2826
Initials AG Page 3 Appropriations
b) ABMT. (Sec. 2, 8)
2. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2023, the following agencies until July 1, 2029:
a) AHCCCS
b) NPMB; and
c) SBO. (Sec. 2, 8)
3. Repeals:
a) BODEX and ABMT on January 1, 2026; and
b) AHCCCS, NPMB and SBO on January 1, 2030. (Sec. 2)
4. Includes a purpose statement for AHCCCS, BODEX, AMDT, NPMB and SBO. (Sec. 3-7)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note