[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON ARIZONA HORIZON, AARP ARIZONA IS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED FLAT SEVERAL WILDFIRES BURNING ACROSS OUR STATE.

WE'LL EXPLAIN HOW DEPARTMENTS ARE SHARING AND DIVIDING CRITICAL RESOURCES, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, HOW LONG-HAUL COVID SYMPTOMS ARE AFFECTING ATHLETES.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M LAUREN GILGER IN FOR TED SIMONS.

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE ON ONE WILDFIRE BURNING IN ARIZONA TODAY.

SOME PEOPLE EVACUATED BECAUSE OF THE FIRE SOUTHEAST OF GLOBE HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO HOME.

AT NEARLY 67,000 ACRES THE FIRE IS NOW 23% CONTAINED, AND ALL THE REZ SCENTS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO BACK HOME.

RESIDENTS OF THE EL CAPITAN AREA REMAIN UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS AS WELL.

MEANWHILE NOT SO GOOD NEWS FROM THE TELEGRAPH FIRE.

THAT FIRE HAS GROWN TO NEARLY 72000 ACRES AND IS STILL ZERO PERCENT CONTAINED.

ALL POST OFFICE SERVICES HAVE BEEN STOPPED IN GLOBE, MIAMI, CLAYPOOL, SAN CARLOS, BYLAS, AND PERIDOT.

RESIDENTS IN TOP OF THE WORLD AND OTHER AREAS REMAIN UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS.

THAT FIRE ALSO DESTROYED A FAMILY CABIN IN GILA COUNTY BELONGING TO HOUSE SPEAKER RUSTY BOWERS.

>>> THE AUDIT OF MARICOPA COUNTY BALLOTS CONTINUES TO ATTRACT THE ATTENTION OF OVER STATE'S OFFICIALS.

ALASKA AND GEORGIA OFFICIALS ARE SET TO VISIT TODAY.

ANOTHER REPUBLICAN HAS THROWN HIS HAT INTO THE RING INTO AN EFFORT TOWN SEAT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MARK KELLY.

RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL, MICK, McGUIRE IS NORMALLY BEGINNING HIS CAMPAIGN FOR U.S. SENATE.

HE BECAME THE SECOND MAJOR REPUBLICAN LOOKING TO WIN THE SEAT FROM KELLY.

>>> AND THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE INTERNET OUTAGE TODAY DUE TO A SOFTWARE GLITCH BY A COMPANY THAT PROVIDES CONTENT DELIVERY.

FASTLY WAS THE COMPANY THAT REPORTED THE OUTAGE.

THE COMPANY HELPS PROVIDE FASTER DOWNLOAD TIMES, AND THE OUTAGE IMPACTED SOCIAL MEDIA SITES, WEBSITES, AND APPS AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> AARP IS AGAINST GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY PROPOSAL OF A FLAT INCOME TAX.

THEY BELIEVE IT WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT OLDER ARIZONANS.

DANA MARIE KENNEDY SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S STANCE.

HIGH, DANA, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANKS FOR COMING ON.

I WANT TO START WITH YOUR MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS FLAT TAX.

WHAT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT WILL HAPPEN?

>> SO I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET THREE-PRONGED.

WE HAVE A NATIONAL BUDGET THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF SERVICES FOR SENIORS MOSTLY THROUGH MEDICARE, AND THEN WE HAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THROUGH OTHER SYSTEMS, AND MEDICARE ALSO COVERS COME OF THAT, AND THEN OUR STATE AND COUNTY PROVIDES A LOT OF SERVICES ALSO TO KEEP SENIORS IN THEIR HOME.

WE KNOW THERE IS A GROWING HOMELESS SENIOR POPULATION, SO CITIES HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD TO MAKE SURE SENIORS ARE A PRIORITY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOMELESS POPULATION.

SO DURING COVID, THEY STOOD UP AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR SENIORS, AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TOUR THAT FACILITY, AND MANY OF THE SENIORS THAT WERE HOMELESS ARE HOMELESS FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THROUGH THIS EMERGENCY SHELTER THEY WERE ABLE TO REHOME ABOUT 70% OF THE PEOPLE WITHIN 90 DAYS.

THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

SO THERE IS $5 MILLION ALLOCATED THROUGH A BILL.

IT DID GET VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT I BELIEVE IT WILL BE IN THE FINAL BUDGET.

AND I HAD MAYORS CONTACT ME, AND THEY WERE CONCERNED THE WORK THEY WERE DOING FOR SENIORS WOULD BE LOST IF THIS FLAT TAX CAME THROUGH.

SO A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT SENIORS RELY ON ARE FUNDED AT THE STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE IS EXPERIENCES A LOT OF SURPLUS RIGHT NOW.

DO YOU THINK THAT COULD BE A BENEFIT IN THE END?

>> WE ARE THE FASTER-GROWING POPULATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA, AND THE SECOND IN THE NATION FOR PEOPLE RELOCATING HERE FOR RETIREMENT, SO OUR STATE BUDGET REALLY NEEDS TO REFLECT THOSE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND WANT TO RETIRE HERE.

A DIAGNOSIS WITH DEMENTIA IS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND YOU NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THOSE PEOPLE, SO OUR BUDGET REALLY SHOULD BE REFLECTING A GROWING POPULATION OF SENIORS, AND WHEN WE LOOK AT BABY BOOMERS WHO ARE NOW, YOU KNOW, THAT SENIOR POPULATION, THIS IS A POPULATION THAT HAS MORE DIVORCE RATES THAN THEIR PREVIOUS COHORTS, SO SOME OF THESE SENIORS ARE NOW SINGLE BECAUSE OF THE DIVORCE, SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO AGE IN PLACE WITH -- WITH HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES, WHICH SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN THE BUDGET.

>> SO ABOUT INEQUITIES IN GENERAL?

HOW DOES THAT EFFECT SENIORS?

>> LOOK AT THE SENIORS WHO ARE HOMELESS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY REFLECTIVE OF INQUESTIONTITY.

AND ALSO OUR LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM, REGARDING COVID IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF DEATHS HAPPENED, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF BILLS GOING THROUGH FOR ADDITIONAL INSPECTORS.

WE HAD A BILL THAT PASSED THAT IS NOT FULLY FUNDED TO THE 3.3 BILLION, BUT THOSE INSPECTORS GO OUT AND IDENTIFY INSPECTION CONTROLS, AND ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT IF THERE IS EXPECTED NEGLECT OR ABUSE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE DOLLARS ARE FUNDED AS WELL.

AND THERE WAS AN AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT THAT CAME OUT WHAT WANTED TO INVESTIGATE BEST PRACTICES, AND WE NEED ADDITIONAL MONEY TO DO A SURVEY OF WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

SO I THINK THIS FLAT TAX IS NOT A GOOD IDEA AT ALL.

>> THERE IS ALREADY TALKS SAYING THIS COULD BE CHALLENGED WITH A REFERENDUM AT THE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE IF IT DOES GET THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

WOULD YOUR ORGANIZATION BACK THAT?

>> THAT WOULD BE REALLY UNFORTUNATELY IF THERE WAS A REFERENDUM.

IN ORDER TO UNDO A REFERENDUM, THAT CAN BE CHALLENGING, BUT I THINK THAT -- YOU KNOW, THE -- THE LEGISLATURE'S JOB IS TO CREATE A BUDGET, AND THE GOVERNOR SHOULD BE SETTING THE TONE AS FAR AS WHAT IS A PRIORITY IN THAT BUDGET.

AND I AGREE THERE IS A SURPLUS, BUT ARE WE LOOKING AT A SURPLUS BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM A FEDERAL LEVEL BECAUSE OF COVID?

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE APPROPRIATELY SPENDING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

DANA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING ON.

>> THANK YOU, LAUREN.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>>> TELEMEDICINE MAY BE HERE TO STAY EVEN AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S UP NEXT.

>>> COVID-19 CHANGED HOW WE DID A LOT OF THINGS, EVEN HOW WE GET HEALTHCARE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, TELEMEDICINE BECAME AN EASY WAY FOR PATIENTS TO CONSULT WITH THEIR DOCTORS, AND NOW IT IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

DR. ROSS GOLDBERG, PRESIDENT OF THE ARIZONA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SPOKE WITH TED SIMONS ABOUT WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR THE HEALTH FIELD.

>>> DOCTOR GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE TELEMEDICINE?

>> WELL, IT'S A BROOD TERM.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT FACE-TO-FACE VISITS, BUT USING THINGS LIKE AUDIO-VISUAL, OR EVEN AUDIO VISITS.

>> IS THIS THE NORM NOW IN MEDICAL CARE?

>> WELL, AGAIN, TELEHEALTH WAS ALWAYS ON THE BACKGROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HEARD OF IT.

BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, WE HAD TO DELIVER CARE FROM -- AGAIN, NOT BEING FACE-TO-FACE, SO I THINK NOW YOU ARE GOING TO SEE INTEGRATION OF THIS TOOL INTO OVERALL CARE, BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE OVERALL REPLACEMENT.

IT IS GOING TO BE A BALANCE MOVING FORWARD.

>> I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON THIS, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE SAYING IT IS BECOMING THE NORM FOR A LOT OF DOCTORS, AND THAT IS NOT NECESSARILY A GOOD THING.

>> AGAIN, IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SPECIALTY AND WHAT YOU DO.

SAY YOU ARE FOLLOWING UP ON YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE OR CHOLESTEROL.

DO YOU REALLY NEED TO GO INTO THE OFFICE EVERY TIME, OR CAN YOU HAVE THIS EXTRA CONVENIENCE SO YOU CAN DO IT ON A LUNCH BREAK AND GET SOME UPDATES?

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN SKIP GETTING YOUR IMMUNIZATIONS OR VACCINES OR COMING IN FOR YOUR ANNUAL PHYSICAL, BUT IT WILL BE AN INTERESTING INTEGRATION.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS HAS REALLY BEEN BENEFICIAL TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE FOLLOW-UP WITH TREATMENT.

>> I HAVE READ IT IS NOT ALWAYS HAS COST EFFECTIVE AS IT COULD BE, NOR DOES IT PROVIDE THE BEST QUALITY FOR PATIENTS.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?

>> YEAH, FROM A PHYSICIAN'S STANDPOINT, RUNNING A PRACTICE, WE STILL REQUIRE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DO THIS, PLUS HAVING THE STAFF AVAILABLE.

AND FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE FACE-TO-FACE PART.

ALL OF THE RESOURCES ARE STILL THERE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN QUALITY, AND THERE HAS BEEN A LARGE PUSH TO MAKE SURE WE MAINTAIN THAT QUALITY.

AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE, THEY DO HAVE QUALITY QUALITY METRICS.

I KNOW SURGEONS WHO ARE UTILIZING THIS TO PROVIDE CARE.

>> AND HOW DOES INSURANCE PLAY INTO ALL OF THIS?

>> IN ARIZONA WITH THE TELEMEDICINE BILL, THERE IS GOING TO BE A PAY PARITY FOR AUDIO-VISUAL VISITS, SO THEY CAN BILL FOR IT.

BECAUSE, AGAIN, THE VISIT IS NOT JUST THE FACE-TO-FACE PART IT IS ALL OF THE TIME THE PHYSICIAN SPENDS GOING THROUGH THE CHART, AND YOU CAN STILL DO A LOT VIA TELEMEDICINE, IN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES, PLUS THEY WILL SET GUIDELINES OWN WHEN YOU CAN USE TELEMEDICINE, AND WHEN YOU NEED TO SEE THEM IN PERSON.

SO AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM THE TELEHEALTH LEGISLATION THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED, THERE IS PAY PARITY, SO IF YOU HAVE AN AUDIO-VISUAL VISIT LIKE WE HAVE NOW, IT'S THE SAME RATE AS IN THE OFFICE FACE-TO-FACE.

FOR ALL FACE-TO-FACE VIDEO AND AUDIO, THE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE THE SAME.

>> I HAVE BEEN READING THAT SOME INSURERS MAY NOT BE ALL THAT ANXIOUS TO KEEP THIS ON THE SAME LEVEL, IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE FINDING?

>> WELL, AGAIN, THIS IS A NEW EXPLOSION ON TELEHEALTH.

THE PERCENTAGE HAVE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR THE TECHNOLOGY, AND IT'S ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER TO FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE.

I AGREE, YOU DON'T WANT TO ABUSE THIS, SO IT'S REALLY WORKING WITH THEM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ALSO COMFORTABLE.

>> LAST QUESTION AS FAR AS PATIENTS ARE CONCERNED, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN IT COMES TO TELEMEDICINE?

>> WELL, AGAIN, IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT.

IT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX.

SOMETIMES YOU MAY START TELEMEDICINE, AND YOUR DOC MAY SAY, I NEED TO SEE YOU FACE-TO-FACE, COME TO THE OFFICE.

IT WILL CHANGE OVER TIME AS WE GET COMFORTABLE WITH IT, AS TECHNOLOGY EVOLVES, AS WE ALL REALIZE THIS IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY, WE'RE GOING TO EVOLVE AND GET USED TO IT, BUT I THINK PATIENTS ARE GOING TO LIKE IT WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR LEAVE THEIR HOUSE FOR A QUICK CHECKUP.

>> DOCTOR, THANK YOU.

GOOD CONVERSATION.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >>> COX COMMUNICATION IS PROVIDING A DISCOUNT OF 50 TO $75 A MONTH FOR PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY THROUGH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY BROADBAND BENEFIT PROGRAM.

THIS DISCOUNT WILL LAST UNTIL THE FUNDS RUN OUT, BUT ONE THING THAT IS HERE TO STAY IS THE COMPANY'S LOW-COST ENHANCED INTERNET PACKAGE, CONNECT-2-COMPLETE.

SUSAN ANABLE, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS WITHIN THE SOUTHWEST REGION TOLD US MORE ABOUT THE RESOURCES.

HI, SUSAN.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THIS DISCOUNT GOES TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

SO HOW DO YOU GET IN?

>> THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED -- IT WAS ADOPTED BACK IN DECEMBER, $3.2 BILLION, AND THE INTENT WAS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND LOSS OF THEIR JOB, OR FURLOUGHED FROM THEIR JOB, OR WERE ALREADY ELIGIBLE FOR A GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

SO YOU DEMONSTRATE THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OR PROVIDE PROOF OF YOUR ELIGIBLE IN A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS.

SO LIKE FREE AND REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, AND SNAP PROGRAMS.

>> SO HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU REACHING HERE?

>> NATIONALLY THERE HAS BEEN 2.3 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS ALREADY ENROLLED INTO THE PROGRAM.

AND IT HAS REALLY BEEN UP AND RUNNING FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS NOW.

>> WOW.

OKAY.

SO I WANT TO BACK UP FOR A MOMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE PROBABLE INCREASE IN DEMAND THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND YOU HAVE STUDENTS GOING TO SCHOOL FROM HOME, HOW MUCH DID THAT CAUSE IT TO GO UP?

>> WHEN KIDS WENT HOME AND HAD TO START REMOTE LEARNING, WHEN PEOPLE COULDN'T VISIT THEIR DOCTOR, WHEN PEOPLE WERE WORKING FROM HOME, WE OBVIOUSLY SAW A HUGE DEMAND INCREASE IN OUR NETWORK, AND GRATEFULLY WE WERE READY AND ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASED DEMAND.

AND IT HAS DEFINITELY COME DOWN, BUT WE RECOGNIZE THINGS AREN'T GOING TO GO BACK TO THE WAY THEY WERE.

>> WAS IT A CHALLENGE AT ANY POINT?

>> WE HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM OF NETWORK TECHNICIANS AND TECHNOLOGY FOLKS WHO WERE MONITORING ON A DAILY BASIS, AND MAKING IMMEDIATE ACTIONS ON OUR NETWORK TO MAKE SURE WE HAD CAPACITY TO MEET ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS NEEDS AND THEY DID A GREAT JOB.

THEY KEPT PEOPLE CONNECTED.

>> WHAT ABOUT UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE TELEHEALTH AND SCHOOL?

>> SO FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS NOW, COX HAS HAD A PROGRAM CALLED CONNECT-2-COMPLETE, AND IT IS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD IN THE K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT LAST MARCH, WE SAW A HUGE INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR THAT PROGRAM.

ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HAD THREE OR FOUR KIDS HOME ON ZOOM LEARNING FROM HOME SIX HOURS A DAY, SO WE SAW A HUGE INCREASE IN OUR CONNECT-2-COMPLETE, AND WE PROVIDED FREE NEW CONNECTIONS FOR FAMILIES THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE SERVICE WITH AS MUCH AS TWO MONTHS FOR THEM.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MODEM RENTAL, THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT RURAL ACCESS TO BROADBAND.

I'M SURE LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IT WAS IN HIGH DEMAND DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT DID YOU DO THERE?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

AND COX COMMUNICATION IS PRIMARILY AN URBAN MARKET PROVIDER, BUT WE HAVE SOME AREAS WE SERVE, AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT WAYS TO PARTNER, EXPAND, AND CONNECT MORE HOMES THAT AREN'T CURRENTLY ON OUR NETWORK, AND RIGHT NOW THERE IS GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT IS GOING TO BE FLOWING INTO THE STATE FOR RURAL BROADBAND CONNECTIONS TO CONNECT THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE SERVICE TODAY.

COX WILL LIKELY PLAY A ROLE IN SOME OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, ALTHOUGH THEY WILL BE LIMITED.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SUSAN ANABLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

♪♪ >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON CRONKITE NEWS, AS WE HEAD BACK INTO TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT THIS WEEK, MUCH OF THE STATE IS ALREADY UNDER EXTREME DROUGHT.

WE'LL E PLAIN THE IMPACTS THAT'S HAVING ON ONE ARIZONA ICON.

AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, SOME ACTIVITIES THAT MAY HELP ATHLETES WHO STRUGGLE WITH LONG-HAUL COVID-19 SYMPTOMS.

♪♪ >> I HOPE YOU ARE APPRECIATING "ARIZONA HORIZON" TONIGHT.

BECAUSE THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE IT IS ARIZONA'S ONLY PROGRAM DEVOTED TO ARIZONA ISSUES, SUCH AS THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, AND NATIONAL ISSUES TH