PREFILED    DEC 18 2025

REFERENCE TITLE: health workforce well-being day

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HR 2001

Introduced by

Representative Bliss

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing Health workforce well-being day in Arizona.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Whereas, a healthy and well workforce is critically necessary to ensure access to high-quality care and to sustain Arizona's health systems; and

Whereas, up to 54% of physicians, 68% of nurses, 60% of medical students and residents and 61 to 75% of pharmacists have symptoms of burnout, which is high emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and a low sense of personal accomplishment at work; and

Whereas, Arizona is experiencing severe workforce shortages of physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers and behavioral health, public health and other health workers; and

Whereas, according to an Arizona Board of Regents analysis, Arizona needs an additional 14,291 registered nurses, 3,644 physicians and 2,419 behavioral health workers, among others, by 2030 to fill its health worker shortage; and    

Whereas, in Arizona, the population of adults over age 65 has increased from 13% in 2000 to 19% in 2022 and is expected to continue growing, which will lead to an increased demand for health services; and

Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 44.2% of health workers reported being likely to look for a new job in 2022 due to their negative working conditions; and

Whereas, the National Academy of Medicine has proclaimed March 18 each year as National Health Workforce Well-Being Day; and

Whereas, the Wellbeing Collaborative of Arizona is an inaugural member of the National Academy of Medicine's Change Maker Campaign, which is committed to institutionalizing well-being as an organizational value and a key strategy for building and maintaining a vibrant health workforce; and

Whereas, together, we have the opportunity to transform healthcare workplaces and systems.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona:

      That the Members of the House of Representatives proclaim March 18, 2026 as Health Workforce Well-Being Day in Arizona and urge all Arizona officials and health organizations to commit to the well-being of all Arizona health professionals.