44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2000

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO DESIGNATE APPROPRIATE LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEES TO EXAMINE THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH SYSTEM, INCLUDING ITS ORGANIZATION, FINANCING AND PERFORMANCE, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, it is the health policy of the state of New Mexico to ensure that all New Mexicans have accessible, available, affordable, culturally appropriate basic health services regardless of their socio-economic status; and

WHEREAS, three hundred eighty-six thousand people in New Mexico, roughly twenty-one percent of New Mexicans, have no medical insurance coverage; and

WHEREAS, fourteen percent of New Mexicans have reported that they are unable to obtain primary health care services when needed; and

WHEREAS, health care services represent the second largest general fund expenditure and the mechanisms of the organization and delivery of publicly funding health services are undergoing major change; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has expressed its concern regarding the publicly financed health care system in House Joint Memorial 18 from the first session of the forty-fourth legislature by requesting the New Mexico health policy commission to develop a strategic plan for an integrated publicly funded health system and by requesting the legislative finance committee to conduct a performance audit of medicaid managed care; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Accountability in Government Act is to provide for more cost-effective, responsive government services by using the budget process and defined outcomes and performance measures; and

WHEREAS, the public and private health care sectors' financing and delivery are intricately intertwined; and

WHEREAS, the private sector reports inadequate revenues triggering a dramatic increase in commercial insurance premiums potentially resulting in more uninsured people and a greater burden on government-funded services and charity care; and

WHEREAS, there is growing discontent among both health professionals and consumers with the private health care system;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council designate an appropriate legislative interim committee to conduct a systematic assessment of the existing financing, delivery, organization and performance of health care in New Mexico, specifically to include:

A. consideration of the findings and recommendations of House Joint Memorial 18 and related memorials adopted in the second session of the forty-fourth legislature;

B. assessment of the impact of recent changes in the financing and delivery of health care services, in particular publicly financed services, on rural and safety net providers, health professionals and residents of New Mexico;

C. review the quality of care provided, processes to ensure quality of care, outcomes and accountability measures;

D. establish performance measures for the health system of New Mexico, with particular emphasis on the publicly financed health care system for incorporation into the performance-based budget process, and give consideration to the adequacy of existing information systems to provide the data; and

E. review the existing state and local government organization of health services financing and delivery and in doing so, consider the appropriate responsibilities of different levels of government to determine the state government structure that would most cost-effectively and efficiently accomplish the desired health care outcomes and needs of the people of the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the designated legislative committee take into consideration in its assessments and formulation of recommendations the state health policy to ensure accessible, available, affordable, culturally appropriate basic health care services for all New Mexicans regardless of financial status; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico health policy commission in cooperation with the designated legislative interim committee request assistance from the Robert Wood Johnson foundation state initiative program, national council of state legislatures and other appropriate entities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the designated legislative interim committee present its findings and recommendations to the New Mexico legislative council by December 15, 2000 for consideration by the first session of the forty-fifth legislature; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council and appropriate executive agencies.