Arizona budget expands access to traditional healing, funds dialysis center for Navajo Nation

Arizona’s newly signed bipartisan budget includes funding to support traditional healing and to build a dialysis center on the Navajo Nation, according to Arizona Mirror. The state allocated $100,000 to secure more than $222 million in federal matching funds to reimburse traditional healing services provided through the Indian Health Service or tribally operated facilities.

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the budget and approved $3 million for a dialysis center at Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado. Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said the new facility will reduce burdens for patients who currently travel hours for treatment. Sage Memorial Hospital leaders said the center will meet the needs of more than 700 dialysis patients across the Apache and Navajo Counties.