WASHINGTON — Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, along with Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) urged Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to make sure Arizona receives its fair share of funding under the new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to address long-standing health care challenges in rural communities across the state. Arizona is one of the most rural states in the country, with a population density averaging eight people per square mile. Seven of Arizona’s fifteen counties are classified as 100 percent rural, and every county contains census tracts that meet the federal definition of rural. The lawmakers stressed

TUCSON – While in Arizona last week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke with Arizonans about rising health care costs, affordability, and veterans’ issues. On 12 News’ Sunday Square Off with Brahm Resnik, Senator Gallego spoke about the fallout of the Republicans’ government shutdown and his continued fight to extend the ACA premium tax credits, as well as the latest on the Epstein files. 11/17/25

TUCSON – Yesterday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine combat veteran and member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, spent time in Tucson honoring former Army Sergeant Jose Valdenegro, a local Iraq and Afghanistan veteran. Sgt. Valdenegro served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2016 as a Fire Support Specialist. In 2009, an IED explosion near his squadron left him with severe injuries to his left foot, which ultimately led to a below-the-knee amputation. Over the course of his service, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and the Army Achievement Medal (AAM) for his exceptional sacrifice and bravery. Yesterday, Senator Gallego presented Sgt.