Majority Leader Shamp Celebrates RFK Jr. Confirmation, Vows to Advance "Make Arizona Healthy Again" Agenda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             Thursday, February 13, 2025

Majority Leader Shamp Celebrates RFK Jr. Confirmation,

Vows to Advance "Make Arizona Healthy Again" Agenda

PHOENIX, ARIZONA— Majority Leader Janae Shamp is celebrating today's confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary and is working to advance a "Make Arizona Healthy Again" agenda in line with goals of the Trump Administration to give Americans a fighting chance at achieving optimal wellness.

As a perioperative nurse, Majority Leader Shamp has witnessed firsthand instances of corruption within the healthcare system, big companies using power and influence to impact state agency operations, as well as negligent government actions and overreach leading to negative health consequences for Arizonans.

"America is an unhealthy nation. People are dying at alarming rates because of malpractice within our healthcare institutions, corporate greed, and irresponsible government policies," said Majority Leader Shamp. "The foods we're told are safe to eat and the products we use on our bodies are full of toxins. Cancers and heart disease have become an all-too-common occurrence for our citizens. We must restore integrity to science and weed out the contributing factors of comorbidities that are wrecking lives and livelihoods. I'm proud to support the MAHA movement with state legislation that's in lockstep with the goals of RFK Jr. to create a healthier society."

Majority Leader Shamp has introduced several pieces of legislation this year, in accordance with the Senate Majority Plan, focusing on preserving the American Dream in Arizona through healthcare reform.

SB 1102 unanimously passed out of the Senate on Tuesday and prohibits a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from limiting or excluding coverage of a prescription drug. This bill will help prevent the problematic "middleman" from unwarranted interference in the doctor-patient relationship and promote transparency within the pharmaceutical industry.

SB 1235 passed out of committee last week with Republican support and takes a critical step toward protecting Arizona from costly anti-trust lawsuits by restructuring health regulatory boards. By ensuring that a majority of board members come from the public rather than industry insiders, this bill brings Arizona into compliance with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC.

SB 1586 was introduced last week and holds healthcare professionals or physicians who provide minors with gender transition procedures personally liable for transition-related injuries and all costs associated with subsequent detransition procedures. Since long-term effects of transition procedures are currently unknown, this bill provides patients the ability to litigate in adulthood for medical malfeasance.

HB 2164 is co-sponsored by Senator Shamp and bans harmful ingredients in school lunches to ensure students aren't needlessly being exposed to cancer-causing agents and other unhealthy additives in their food. This bill passed out of a House committee last week with bipartisan support.

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For more information, contact:

Kim Quintero

Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus

kquintero@azleg.gov