Az Democrats’ Affordability Agenda Hits a Republican Wall

Democratic lawmakers, alongside the progressive group Opportunity Arizona, are urging Republican counterparts to back legislation designed to improve housing and healthcare affordability. They have allocated $300,000 for a campaign targeting voters, aiming to garner support for these initiatives.

“The last election clearly indicated a call from voters to reduce the cost of living,” stated Ben Scheel, executive director of Opportunity Arizona, during a press conference on Wednesday. He emphasized that homes in Arizona should belong to its residents, not corporate investors.

The proposed measures, dubbed the “affordability agenda,” include several bills intended to address prescription drug prices, housing accessibility, and overall healthcare costs. Despite their introduction, many of these bills remain unaddressed in committee, with a critical deadline looming next week for legislative discussion.

“While over 14 bills favoring tax cuts for the wealthy have been reviewed, none effectively assist hardworking Arizonans in securing affordable housing and healthcare,” Scheel remarked. He criticized the GOP’s focus on culture war legislation this session, suggesting a misalignment with the urgent needs of the community.

To mobilize support, Opportunity Arizona plans to encourage voters across party lines to contact committee chairs, advocating for a hearing of these bills. Scheel asserted their intention to hold lawmakers accountable should they neglect these measures.

The “affordability agenda” encompasses several key bills, including House Bills 2782, 2757, 2360, 2848, 2847 and Senate Bills 1397, 1402, 1403, and 1209.

Senator Eva Burch’s SB1402 and SB1403 specifically target prescription drug costs, addressing the issue of many patients having to compromise on necessary medications. Burch commented, “Too many of us are rationing medications or delaying treatments due to cost.” The legislation aims to prevent excessive pricing on Medicare-eligible prescriptions and curb steep price hikes on certain medications.

Representative Stephanie Simacek has introduced HB2782 to establish a Healthcare Claims Consumer Assistance Program to help Arizonans appeal denied insurance claims. She shared personal experiences of battling insurance denials for her daughter’s treatment and raised concerns about insurers utilizing AI to expedite denial decisions.

House Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos promoted his bills addressing the ongoing housing crisis. He noted that corporate acquisitions of homes for rental purposes have intensified across Arizona. HB2360 would ensure corporations cannot purchase single-family homes unless they’ve been on the market for at least 60 days, while HB2848 would cap corporate home acquisitions at 100 per year. Additionally, any group buying more than 10 homes would be added to a public database, increasing transparency and allowing the attorney general to enforce compliance through fines.

As it stands, these critical pieces of legislation have yet to be reviewed in their assigned committees, with some yet to receive assignments. The Republican party’s expanded majority following recent elections casts doubt on the fate of these proposals.

Scheel acknowledged past attempts for cooperation, noting a more assertive approach moving forward. “We asked nicely before and that is why we are making a stronger firm ask,” he said, targeting lawmakers in competitive districts who have not shown public support for the bills. “Nothing is dead until sine die,” he concluded, referencing the end of the legislative session.