The Hertel Report

23/11/2025

Attention Arizona Healthcare Leaders! Registration is open for the 2026 Winter State of the State, Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale. Get the latest health policy, data, and trends impacting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Marketplace while learning more about U.S. public health policy and the critical role AHCCCS, Medicare Advantage, and Hospitals & Health Systems play in keeping Arizonans healthy and supporting local economies.

Join us for The Hertel Report’s Winter State of the State on Friday, February 13, 2026, featuring our bi-annual Arizona healthcare market update hosted and moderated by Publisher Jim Hammond. The Hertel Report’s 2026 Winter State of the State Conference features a morning of networking, a full b...

29/10/2025

We cover SNAP because food is medicine; you can't be healthy without it. The latest news from the Arizona Governor's office on this pending crisis ending SNAP funding: She is deploying $1.8 million in ARPA funds to support Arizonans.

Governor Takes Action While Washington Republicans Withhold Food Assistance from Vulnerable Arizonans

10/09/2025

A fantastic resource from the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) that outlines key Medicaid policy changes in OBBBA with the greatest operational impact, and upcoming deadlines for state and territory agencies.

This resource outlines key Medicaid policy changes in OBBBA with the greatest operational impact and upcoming deadlines for state and territory agencies.

08/09/2025

Phoenix-based Banner Health will end emergency services at its Loveland, Colo.-based Banner McKee Medical Center on Nov. 5 as the facility is converted to a specialty hospital.

Phoenix-based Banner Health will end emergency services at its Loveland, Colo.-based Banner McKee Medical Center on Nov. 5 as the facility is converted to a specialty hospital. Employees at the hospital will be affected by the transition; they will be offered resources such as transition support, ca...

08/09/2025

Attorney General Kris Mayes announced she will host listening sessions for patients and providers who may be impacted by health insurance companies denying claims.
The first town hall is scheduled for September 15, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the Alcott Room of the Maricopa County Southwest Regional Library in Gilbert at 775 N. Greenfield Road in Gilbert
"From the stories that Arizonans have shared with the public, we are concerned that some health insurance companies may be participating in potentially unlawful practices,” said Attorney General Mayes. "When claims are denied, Arizonans either go without the care they need, or they suffer under exorbitant out-of-pocket costs. I'm inviting Arizona health care providers, patients, and their loved ones to join us and share their experiences.”

PHOENIX – Today, Attorney General Kris Mayes announced she will host listening sessions for patients and providers who may be impacted by health insurance companies denying claims.

03/07/2025

🌞 Beat the Heat – Head to Flagstaff!
Join The Hertel Report for our State of the State event in beautiful Flagstaff!

📅 Friday, July 18, 2025
📍 Flagstaff Medical Center McGee Auditorium
🕤 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
🍽 Includes lunch (Stay or Grab & Go)
💻 Virtual options available

We’ll be covering the latest in Arizona healthcare news, policy, and market insights. Don’t miss this chance to network and stay informed.

👉 Register now or learn more at https://www.thehertelreport.com/product/2025-summer-state-of-the-state-in-flagstaff/

11/06/2025

A great resource from The Network for Public Health Law for those interested in how recent executive orders and new federal initiatives impact public health.
Executive Orders & Public Health Practice: FAQs

What is an executive order? Federal executive orders are written directives from the president of the United States to shape federal policy in specific ways. Executive orders are typically used to manage agencies and employees under the president’s control — for example, the US Department of Hea...

05/06/2025

Arizona healthcare leaders—don’t miss our July Summer Conference in Flagstaff!
Join The Hertel Report for timely Medicaid updates from AHCCCS, the latest Arizona enrollment data from CMS on Medicare Advantage and ACA Marketplace plans, and local market intelligence across both segments. We’ll also unpack value-based care trends with a spotlight on Arizona MSSP and REACH ACOs and explore the federal and state policy shifts reshaping the future of Arizona healthcare.
Discounts are available for members and community partners. Can’t attend in person? Join us virtually. Register now to secure your spot—space is limited!

Our summer conference in Flagstaff features our bi-annual Arizona healthcare market update, as well as the latest insights on how new U.S. leaders and health policies are affecting local markets. Topics include the latest news on Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, the Marketplace, hospitals and healthcar...

13/05/2025

Parents as Paid Caregiver Program Open for Public Comment

AHCCCS and DES/DDD are proposing revisions to their policies impacting the ‘Parents as Paid Caregiver’ (PPCG) service model. These revisions include commitments made to CMS in the 1115 Waiver proposal. They also include terms and conditions of the state’s authority approval and recent legislation (HB 2945).

AHCCCS and DES/DDD are proposing revisions to their policies impacting the ‘Parents as Paid Caregiver’ (PPCG) service model. These revisions include commitments made to CMS in the 1115 Waiver proposal. They also include terms and conditions of the state’s authority approval and recent legislat...

10/05/2025

If it's a finalist for a Pulitzer, it's worth reading. Wall Street Journal - Medicare Inc. An investigation into insurers' secret practices to pocket billions from Medicare. The investigation uncovered questionable practices by Medicare Advantage insurers that cost taxpayers billions of dollars and jeopardized vulnerable patients. WSJ showed how some of America’s biggest companies profited from that system, including UnitedHealth Group and CVS Health.

An investigation into the secret practices insurers use to pocket billions from Medicare.

28/04/2025

Vaccination is a safe, highly effective, and easy way to help keep your family healthy. Get vaccinated! Protect yourself, protect your family, and protect Arizona!

Vaccines Save Lives

28/04/2025

Insurer price-fixing is real and physicians deserve their day in court, says the American Medical Association (AMA). According to AMA lawyers, roughly 700 of the country’s 1,100 insurers use MultiPlan to set their out-of-network payment rates, including America's 15 largest health plans. MultiPlan’s revenues were $709 million in 2021, up from $564 million in 2020 and $23 million in 2012.
It’s a practice that amounts to “naked price-fixing,” violating the Sherman Act, a federal antitrust law, the AMA Litigation Center and ISMS lawsuit says, and it must stop. MultiPlan Inc. is asking a federal court to dismiss the lawsuit.

AMA, Illinois State Medical Society urge federal court not to dismiss lawsuit against “unlawful cartel” that has led some physicians to “the brink of insolvency.”