45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO STUDY ISSUES RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF FULL HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND THE USE OF COUNTY INDIGENT FUNDS TO ENSURE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS.

WHEREAS, the department of health conducted a thorough study of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 on access to health care and public benefits for immigrants in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the results of this study were presented to the interim legislative health and human services committee in November 2001; and

WHEREAS, among the findings of the study was that, although immigrants are eligible for basic and primary health care services through a variety of safety net health care providers in New Mexico, emergency care remains a regular source of care for many who have no regular physician and no health insurance; and

WHEREAS, the legislative health and human services committee heard testimony from the university of New Mexico health sciences center that it does not enroll undocumented immigrants in its primary, managed care program, "UNM cares", due to legal and financial considerations, thereby increasing the likelihood that immigrants will continue to receive their care in emergency room settings; and

WHEREAS, the university does provide emergency, urgent, immunization and communicable disease services to all who come to the university of New Mexico hospital, but those who seek care for other medical or chronic conditions must do so at nongovernmental facilities or federally qualified health clinics; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the state of New Mexico to ensure that all immigrants receive primary care services in settings that are cost-effective and appropriate to the acuity and level of care needed; and

WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico receives support for funding indigent health care services from Bernalillo county, but does not receive consistent, sufficient indigent funding from other counties, despite the fact that the university serves indigent populations, including immigrants, statewide; and

WHEREAS, the legislature wishes a closer examination of the restrictions against and the possibilities of the university of New Mexico hospital serving as fully as possible every person who needs medical care;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to conduct a close examination of the core issues inhibiting the university of New Mexico hospital from providing complete medical services to all in need of care, specifically including undocumented immigrants; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study consider the appropriate use of county indigent funds to ensure equitable use of all available revenue sources to care for needy New Mexico residents, including all immigrants, with or without documents; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university of New Mexico health sciences center, the university of New Mexico hospital, the taxation and revenue department, the state association of counties and other requested entities cooperate with the New Mexico health policy commission; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico health policy commission report its findings and progress to the interim legislative health and human services committee and to the legislative finance committee at their respective October 2002 meetings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the New Mexico health policy commission, the university of New Mexico health sciences center, the university of New Mexico hospital, the taxation and revenue department, the legislative finance committee, the legislative health and human services committee and other appropriate parties.