ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: HHS DP 6-5-1-0

HB 2439: website information; pregnant women

Sponsor: Representative Keshel, LD 17

House Engrossed

Overview

Requires, by December 1, 2025, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to provide on its public website's home page a conspicuous link that directs people to easily comprehensible information on support for pregnant women and adoption information in both English and Spanish.

History

Established in 1981, AHCCCS is Arizona's Medicaid program that oversees contracted health plans for the delivery of health care to individuals and families who qualify for Medicaid and other medical assistance programs. Through contracted health plans across the state, AHCCCS delivers health care to qualifying individuals including low-income adults, their children or people with certain disabilities. Current statute outlines covered health and medical services offered to AHCCCS members (A.R.S. § 36-2907).

DHS is responsible for providing and coordinating services within Arizona to protect and improve public health. Currently, DHS duties include, but are not limited to: 1) promoting, developing and assisting local health departments; 2) collecting and preserving information related to the health of the people and the prevention of disease; 3) publishing public health statistics and information; 4) encouraging and aiding in coordinating local programs; 5) establishing and maintaining various laboratories; 6) licensing and regulating health care institutions, child care facilities and various health care providers; 7) administering a statewide system of emergency medical services; 8) collecting and maintaining vital records, including birth and death certificates; and 9) providing personnel and administrative services such as budgeting, information systems and facilities management for DHS (A.R.S. §§ 36-104 and 36-132).

Laws 2021, Chapter 279 requires DHS, by February 1, 2022, to provide on its public website home page a conspicuous link that directs an individual to easily comprehensible information on support for pregnant women and adoption information in both English and Spanish. The information includes: 1) a list of public and private agencies and services available to assist a woman through pregnancy, on childbirth and while her child is dependent; 2) each agency's services, physical address, telephone number and website address, if available; and 3) information on and a link to a separate featured webpage that is accessible by redirecting from the domain name adoptionoption.az.gov. All information provided must be available in an easily downloadable printed format.

Provisions

1. Requires AHCCCS, by December 31, 2025, to provide on its public website's home page a conspicuous link that directs people to the easily comprehensible information on support for pregnant women and adoption information in both English and Spanish, as outlined. (Sec. 1)

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5. HB 2439

6. Initials AG Page 0 House Engrossed

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