Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Maternal Health Access topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves bill to have DHS convene stakeholders on obstetrics access in low-income, high-risk communities; deadline for report extended
Summary
Senate Bill 1081, directing the Department of Health Services to convene stakeholders on expanding obstetrics and gynecological services in low-income, high-risk communities, was given a due-pass recommendation after the committee adopted an amendment extending the reporting deadline to Dec. 31, 2026.
Senate Bill 1081, which requires the Arizona Department of Health Services to convene stakeholders and staff to develop recommendations to improve obstetrics and gynecological services in low-income, high-risk communities, received a due-pass recommendation from the Senate Health and Human Services Committee after the committee adopted a Champ amendment extending the report deadline.
Allison (committee staff) summarized the bill and the proposed amendment. The amendment ("16 line Champ Amendment dated Jan. 21, 2025, 2:03 PM") extends the bill's original report deadline from Dec. 31, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026 and delays repeal of the convening requirement until Jan. 1, 2028.
Senate Majority Leader Jenny Champ (identified in committee remarks) described workforce and access shortages in rural Arizona, noting that fewer than half of rural counties have an OB-GYN and that rural women face higher pregnancy-related risks. Champ cited national and state sources including United Health Foundation, March of Dimes and Mayo Clinic data while urging action to address maternal and postpartum care gaps.
Senator Hilda Angus reported experience from Bullhead City and the surrounding river communities, describing local practice closures and reimbursement issues that have contributed to provider exits and, in some high-risk cases, costly air transport of patients to out-of-state facilities.
Dr. Laura Mercer, an obstetrician-gynecologist and associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, testified in support and described covering rural sites including Nogales and Tuba City; she told the committee that staffing shortages affect not only physicians but nurses, medical assistants and technicians and that closures of rural labor-and-delivery units have forced long-distance transfers.
Vice Chair (Senator) TJ Schulp moved the bill and the committee adopted the Champ amendment. The committee then voted to give SB 1081, as amended, a due-pass recommendation. The roll call recorded ayes and the secretary announced the result as 6 ayes, 0 noes, 1 not voting.
Why this matters: Testimony emphasized maternal and infant health risks tied to access gaps in rural and high-risk, low-income communities; the bill aims to create a structured stakeholder process and a report for state leaders that could inform policy or funding changes.
Next steps: With a due-pass recommendation as amended, SB 1081 advances to the full Senate. DHS would convene stakeholders and prepare the report by Dec. 31, 2026 under the adopted amendment.
