GANADO, Ariz. –Arizona House Democrats, including Assistant Minority Leader Nancy Gutierrez (D-18), Rep. Patty Contreras (D-12), House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos (D-11), and Rep. Mae Peshlakai (D-6), visited Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) on Aug. 28, as part of their “Democrats Deliver Tour.” The visit highlighted healthcare challenges and solutions for the community and celebrated the hospital’s recent achievements.
The agenda, hosted in the hospital’s Human Resources Cedar Conference Room, began with lunch and a prayer led by Alton Lizer, Primary Therapist at SMH. Delores Noble, Board Chair of SMH, provided the opening remarks, highlighting the deep cultural heritage of the Ganado area and the Navajo people. She referenced historical figures like Ganado Mucho (known in Navajo as Totsohnii Hastin), a headman who advocated for the community, and his vision for local healthcare. “We have a rich culture,” Noble stated. “The people that come to see us here are not patients, they are relatives. When you see a relative, you treat them differently, like your own family.”
Noble thanked legislators for securing $3 million in state funding for SMH’s dialysis center, saying, “Thank you for passing the $3 million. We are ready to apply. This will help our dialysis center.” The funding, part of Senate Bill 1575 sponsored by Sen. Theresa Hatathlie (D-District 6) and signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs in June 2025. It aims to address high rates of kidney disease in the Navajo Nation, where patients often travel up to 70 miles round trip three times a week for four-hour treatments.
House Democratic Leader Oscar DeLos Santos stated, “Honored that you have welcomed our caucus. We are proud to fight for the dialysis center and traditional healing.” He praised Rep. Peshlakai as “one of the strongest advocates… a true champion for this community.”
The core discussion was led by Policy Advisor Kim Russell who focused on SMH’s policy and budget priorities. Key challenges included limited behavioral health services, housing shortages affecting provider recruitment, workforce gaps, maternal health concerns, elder care needs, and interfacility transfer delays. Broader discussions warned of upcoming Medicaid cuts, with Democrats voicing opposition. The visit ended with a tour of the hospital and future dialysis center and reaffirmed the legislators’ commitment to improving healthcare access across the state.
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