Steven Murphy says he felt like he was staring death in the face.

After a heart failure diagnosis in 2008, Murphy also had permanent atrial fibrillation, a common type of heart arrhythmia characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat. For 15 years, he carried the risk, suffering and anxiety that came with his diagnosis. The only cure was a heart transplant.

“ACCESS” TO A SECOND CHANCE

Steve’s perspective shifted in May 2024, when his second chance was “magnificently coordinated” between Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), pronounced “access.”

Organ and tissue donation had been discussed a little with his family prior to his transplant, and his transplant team as well as AHCCCS helped guide him through the entire process. The costs associated with his heart transplant, including his seven-month rehabilitation, were covered entirely.

AHCCCS is a state agency jointly funded by the federal and state governments. It works closely with hospitals, health care providers and organizations such as Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association (AzHHA) to improve care and access for Arizonans.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides federal oversight and partial funding for state Medicaid programs like AHCCCS. CMS also covers costs associated with organ recovery and transport through organ procurement organizations (OPO), such as Donor Network of Arizona. Meantime, AHCCCS covers transplant-related care, rehabilitation and follow-up for eligible patients in Arizona. Together, they help ensure accountability, financial stability and equitable access to transplants for patients who rely on Medicare or Medicaid.

Alongside DNA and AzHHA, AHCCCS works toward the goal of better care, better health and lower costs, with a vision of making Arizona the healthiest state in the nation. This partnership strengthens hospital relationships, shares training and best practices, addresses policy and advocacy support, and improves outreach and trust with the community.

LIVING PROOF

Steve doesn’t take life for granted anymore. He now tells family, friends and strangers alike that he is a heart recipient and asks others if they are donors.

“Many factors of me needing the transplant were my own doing—including weight, alcohol and smoking,” he said. “It definitely changed my perspective on life. It made me so grateful for my donor, and I have devoted myself to helping others receive the same gift I did.”

In fact, the one word he’d use to describe this gift is simply, “grateful.”

MAKING AN IMPACT TOGETHER

AHCCCS helps us save and heal more lives. Together, we can work toward a future where lifesaving transplants happen without creating undue financial burdens on hospitals, patients or the health care system.

Learn more about Access here: https://www.azhha.org/

Register as a tissue and organ donor here: https://register.donatelifeaz.org/register/?lang=en&_ga=2.60530030.295596950.1757458626-1993650438.1750194851

Thank you Donor Network of Arizona for allowing us to share this wonderful story. Steve Murphy and his journey through transplant are truly inspiring.