February 26, 2018-

Another long week as the Arizona House and Senate worked through lengthy floor calendars, voting bills out and over to the other chamber. This week, committee hearings will resume with the House hearing bills that the Senate passed and the Senate hearing bills that the House passed. Fortunately, AzNA anticipates most of the bills we have been closely following and supporting will proceed forward in the legislative process.

Bills of Interest This Week

HB2197 health professionals; workforce data provides for the implementation of a workforce database. AzNA has been the primary driver behind this bill because Arizona lacks a comprehensive system to project the future of our nursing workforce. Proper data collection assures a strong and sustainable supply. It passed out of the House unanimously and we expect it to be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in the next few weeks.

AzNA Position: Support

HB2549 controlled substances; dosage limit, which allows NPs with advanced pain certification to serve as medical directors of pain clinics, passed out to the House unanimously. We anticipate it being heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in the next few weeks.

AzNA Position: Support