SECRETARY KENNEDY: Preventative Health Care, Rural Health and Two New Funding Opportunities.

AZ-06 is a health care industry heavyweight, with some of the best hospitals, doctors, and researchers in the world. Therefore, I was pleased to host a visit last Tuesday with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Administrator Thomas Engels of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to discuss our district’s central role in advancing the Administration’s goal to Make America Healthy Again and medical advances we continue to be leaders on.

As part of the visit, Secretary Kennedy toured Marana Health to see firsthand their technology, dedication to patient centric care, and impressive modern facilities. I also held a roundtable with Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Engels, and local leadership to discuss the preventative health care initiatives. The roundtable covered a variety of health-related issues, including the Make America Health Again initiative, local physicians’ efforts to advance access to healthy food and preventative care, and the need to continue to focus health research funding on women's health and Alzheimer's research and care specifically.

Roundtable participants included:

• Josh Carzoli, Marana Health CEO
• Elizabeth Gonzalez Gann, The Diet of Hope Institute
• Dr. Eric Cornidez, Pain Institute of Southern Arizona
• Dr. Neil Gheewala, US Heart and Vascular Interventional Cardiologist
• Dr. Bart Carter, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center Chairman and CEO
• Dr. Eddie Estrada, Sun Life Health Center CEO
• Jennifer Mendrzycki, Tucson Medical Center President and CEO
• Dr. Benjamin Schwartz, Banner—University Medicine Tucson President of Academic Delivery
• Clint Kuntz, El Rio President/CEO
• Dr. Scott DeMent, DeMent Family Chiropractic
• Monica Vargas, Carondelet Health Network Market Chief Executive Officer and St. Joseph’s Hospital CEO
• Dr. Jonathan Melk, Chiricahua Community Health Centers CEO
• Joe Snell, Chamber of Southern Arizona President

In addition, the Secretary announced two new NOFOs – Notice of Funding Opportunities.

The Residency Planning and Development Program NOFO:

• Supports development of rural residency programs in key specialties, including family medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology.
• Addresses physician workforce shortages in rural communities.
• Encourages training in rural settings, where currently only 2% of residency training occurs.
• Covers start-up costs such as accreditation, faculty development, and recruitment.
• FY23 award example: University of Arizona (Tucson) – $750,000.  

Secondly, the Expanding Nutrition Services (ENS) in Health Centers NOFO:

• Increases access to nutrition services at HRSA-funded health centers.
• Nutrition services can help to prevent, manage, and treat diseases and conditions through nutritional and food-based interventions.
• Health centers will use ENS funding to increase the number of nutrition services patients or visits.
• HRSA is expecting to award $125,000,000 to 357 health centers.

As Arizona's sole appropriator, I’ve supported the Make America Healthy Again initiative by pushing through $100 million in funding for new MAHA programs in Fiscal Year 2026. I also voted to include Multicancer screening coverage in Medicare to advance early cancer detection and prevention and the Healthy Start blood pressure monitoring pilot, distributing cuff kits to 12 states, to support healthy moms and babies, reducing major detriments of maternal health, such as preeclampsia.

To specifically support women’s health, I voted to increase funding for the Office of Research on Women’s Health in FY26 to nearly $100M. As a former member of the Labor, Health and Human Services (LHHS) Committee, Iquestioned the former Secretary of HHS on the Department’s specific efforts to prioritize women’s health. I also cosponsored the Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 (H.R. 7417).

Another priority of mine is the advancement of Alzherimer’s research and treatment. For FY26, I voted for a $100M increase for Alzheimer’s related funding through NIH and CDC, bringing total research funding up to $3.9 billion. Additionally, I cosponsored the ASAP Act (H.R.6130), which would give the HHS Secretary the authority to approve Medicare coverage for blood test screenings for dementia.

For general health care priorities, I voted to increase funding for the National Cancer Institute by nearly $50M, in addition to cosponsoring the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act (H.R. 3514) which addresses hospital issues regarding treating seniors, including making it easier to bill Medicare.

I am especially grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Engels for investing their time to hear from local leaders about the successes and trajectory of southeastern Arizona’s healthcare field.

You can read more about the visit with Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Engels HERE.

ORO VALLEY ROUNDTABLE: Lowering Taxes for Small Businesses.

I had the opportunity last Wednesday to join a roundtable hosted by the U.S. and Oro Valley Chambers of Commerce to discuss benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act for small businesses. More than a dozen local leaders attended, each providing unique ways in which the bill’s tax benefits have impacted them.

Roundtable participants included:

• Rick Price, Sun City Golf
• James Piper, Piper Family Painting
• Mary Schulz, Schulz Financial Group
• Deanna Miles, Miles Label Co
• P. J. Miles, Miles Label Co
• Bruce Barnett, Pima Federal Credit Union
• Michelle Kroeger, Nonprofit CFO Services
• Lydia Camarillo, Golder Ranch Fire District
• Tom Brandhuber, GRFD Fire Chief
• Emma Reyes, Republic Services
• Maria Parham, Splendido at Rancho Vistoso
• Jeff Laird, Wow Wow Lemonade
• Jeff Artzi, OOROO Auto
• Josh Bishop, Fork & Fire
• Eddy Torriente, The Picklr 

Tax relief is not just policy – it's real relief for working families and small businesses here in Arizona. I believe in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act because when families get to keep more of what they earn, and when companies have more certainty through provisions like research and development tax relief, our local economy is stronger.

Under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the small business tax deduction is made permanent, preserving the 199A 20% small business deduction. According to the Small Business Administration, this will generate $750 billion in economic growth. Without these provisions, 26 million small businesses would have experienced their top tax rate double to 43%.

This legislation is helping support innovation, job creation, and long-term growth in communities like ours, which is exactly the kind of support I am focused on delivering. Thank you to the local leaders who came together for this roundtable and a special thank you to the Oro Valley and U.S. Chambers of Commerce for helping lead this crucial conversation.

Important Information for Tax Season.

As we approach the tax filing deadline this Wednesday, April 15, our office wants to update you on valuable information that can help in your filing!

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, 91% of Americans are finding it easier than ever to file their taxes.

This legislation streamlines tax filing, with the largest tax refunds in history being project for this season and 210 million hours saved in total on tax preparation. These tax cuts will result in a reduction of $13 billion in compliance costs, and an increase of over $10,000 in annual take-home pay for working families.

Under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, standard deduction levels have been permanently extended. These new levels are $15,750 for single or married filing separately filers, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly, and $23,625 for head of household filers.

Finally, it is now easier for small businesses and workers to file taxes. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act removes unnecessary IRS paperwork and simplifies reporting requirements, including increasing the income reporting threshold to $2,000 before small businesses must send certain tax forms.

Additionally, we’ve heard from many of you, our constituents, regarding issues obtaining your 1099-R form from the Office of Personnel Management. Annuitants who have an email on file with OPM may have received their 1099-Rs electronically.

To access your 1099-R Form online, please visit: https://www.servicesonline.opm.gov/. A new access tool can help you get your current year 1099-R tax form, no login required.

You may also contact OPM Retirement Services online or call 1-888-767-6738 (TTY: 711).

As always, please contact my office for assistance with a federal agency.

In the News.

Ciscomani hosts Interior Secretary Burgum in Arizona mining tour

Sierra Vista Herald

"Congressman Juan Ciscomani hosted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in Arizona's Sixth Congressional District today, touring the University of Arizona's San Xavier Underground Mining Laboratory and holding a roundtable with local mining, ranching and water stakeholders. The visit included stops at the university's mining facility and Saguaro National Park East. Burgum is the third Cabinet member to visit the district recently, following Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, according to Ciscomani's office. The roundtable featured discussions on critical minerals, water conservation, cattle ranching and public lands management. Participants included university officials, mining executives from Freeport-McMoran and South32, ranchers and water district managers."

US Interior Secretary Burgum visits Tucson to discuss critical minerals mining

KOLD 13 News

"U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Tucson on Monday, April 6, to discuss the future of the critical mining industry. He was joined by Rep. Juan Ciscomani as they toured the University of Arizona’s San Xavier Mining Lab in Sahuarita. The visit included a roundtable discussion with public lands industry leaders. His visit comes as the Trump administration pushes to expand critical minerals mining and processing throughout the U.S. President Trump has previously said China’s critical minerals production was a threat to national security, which Burgum emphasized during the roundtable discussion. ‘We are in a major power battle with China on a number offronts, but critical minerals is one of them. Our country has basically turned its back on mining,’ Burgum said. He discussed steps the administration has already taken, like rolling back National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations to accelerate the permitting process and cut red tape."

Ciscomani hosts top federal healthcare leaders in home state

The Ripon Advance

"U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) on April 7 hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Administrator Thomas Engels of the Health Resources and Services Administration as part of their 'Take Back Your Health' tour in the state. As part of their visit on Tuesday to Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District, which Rep. Ciscomani represents, the congressman held a roundtable with Secretary Kennedy, Administrator Engels, and local leadership to discuss the current status and recent advances of the healthcare industry in southeastern Arizona. 'It was an honor to join Secretary Kennedy at this roundtable and bring together local leaders alongside a fearless advocate who has championed our shared goal of making America healthy again,' Rep. Ciscomani said. 'This discussion was an invaluable opportunity to collaborate on how we can advance that mission across southern Arizona, from supporting our children to strengthening care for seniors in our communities.' The roundtable covered several health-related issues, including the Make America Health Again (MAHA) initiative, local physicians’ efforts to advance access to healthy food and preventative care, and the need to continue to focus health research funding on women’s health and Alzheimer’s research and care."

AZ-06: FINAL Week!

Our office is proud to provide a list of services to our district’s students as a way to help them get involved. These include an annual Congressional Art Competition and Congressional App Challenge, Valentines for Veterans, Military Service Academy Nominations, and internship opportunities in our Tucson district office.

See below for additional information and deadlines. You can also read more about some of these services on my website HERE.

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.

The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in Arizona’s Sixth District. The winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.

As this July 4th marks the semi quincentennial anniversary of the birth of our nation, students are encouraged but not required to use the 250th theme in their submissions.

The deadline for submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is this Thursday, April 16, 2026.

For more details, click HERE.

Since day one of being in office, I have been a champion of veterans. In the 119th Congress alone, I have introduced and led four veterans-focused bills that have passed the House. AZ-06 is home to nearly 80,000 veterans and supporting each and every one is a high priority for me.

As part of my effort to give back to our veterans here in southeastern Arizona, I have hosted three Veteran Servant Leader Award events. These events honor veterans who have continued to serve their communities after their time spent serving our nation. My office and I have been able to award dozens of veterans through these three events, and we are looking forward to our fourth which will be held this spring.

If you know an AZ-06 veteran who is dedicated to giving back to their community and embodies the values of duty, service, and commitment that are at the core of our military, we invite you to nominate them for our fourth Veteran Servant Leader Awards! Nominations will be accepted through this Friday, April 17, 2026.

You can nominate a veteran HERE.

Current Military Members and Veterans – Apply for a FREE National Parks Pass.

Did you know that current military members, veterans and members of Gold Star Families are eligible for a free annual pass to our National Parks? In gratitude to you or your family member’s service, please take advantage of this opportunity! You can learn more about the free pass HERE.

AZ-06 Highlights: Did You Know?

Eastern Arizona College’s Esmeralda Enriquez has been named the 2026 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Player of the Year after leading the Gila Monsters to its first women's basketball National Championship this Spring.

Esmeralda, a sophomore guard transferred from North Idaho College for her sophomore year. She without a doubt jumped right in and gave her all this year, averaging a team high of 15.7 points per game, along with 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. Enriquez also impressively shot 44.8% from behind the arc.

Congratulations to Esmeralda on this incredible achievement! Your hard work deserves to be celebrated.

Read more about Esmeralda’s MVP title HERE.

Profiles of the American Dream.

The final resting place for Norton Retzsch is in a town that didn’t exist when he died and in a state he never visited. But we all can take comfort in the fact that his memorial service took place at all.

Norty, as he was known, was laid to rest this week in an emotional ceremony at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Marana. It was an event 83 years in the making.

Norty was with us for considerably less time. He was born in Cincinnati on May 9, 1918, two days before the end of World War I. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Sept. 3, 1941, three months before America’s entry into World War II. On his 24th birthday in 1942 he was married in Massachusetts and by the summer of the following year Norty and his buddies in Company C of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion were half a world away, taking the fight to our enemies in the Solomon Islands.

Norty was reported missing on July 9, 1943 during the Battle of Enogai. He was declared dead in 1944 and “non-recoverable” in 1949. His parents, his widow and other family members and friends all went to their graves without ever learning where he was or what happened to him.

The mystery ended on April 1, 2025. Through forensic science and mitochondrial DNA analysis, Norty’s remains were finally and conclusively identified. He’s home now and this week he was laid to rest with honors.

Rest in peace, Norty. Your service and your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Share Your Story.

Our district encompasses so many incredible people and stories that I want to share both with my colleagues in Washington and through the platforms I have as your Member of Congress, such as speaking on the House floor. You can visit my website and share your story with me and my team. I look forward to hearing from you!

As always, my office and I are here to assist you. If you would like to share a comment or tell us your story, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to serving you!

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