If enacted, this bill would update current statutes by appropriating a total of $28,768,700 to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for graduate medical education (GME) programs in fiscal year 2025-2026. Specifically, it would allocate $10,000,000 from the state General Fund and $18,768,700 in expenditure authority to address the physician shortage in Arizona. The bill would allow these funds to be used for both direct and indirect costs associated with GME, as well as for the development of a new residency program.

Additionally, the bill would clarify that the appropriated funds may supplement, but not replace, voluntary payments made by political subdivisions to hospitals that operate GME programs. It would also exempt these appropriations from lapsing under existing statutes, ensuring that the funds remain available for their intended purpose without being subject to expiration.