March 11, 1998

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 315 , as amended,

passed by the Forty-Third Legislature, Second Session, 1998.

This legislation would establish a "mental health insurance parity pilot program" for state employees for fiscal years 1999 and 2000. One of the intended purposes of this pilot project is to establish an actuarial accounting of mental health insurance parity. However, two years is not enough time to establish an accurate and reliable study for this issue. In addition, it does not make sense for New Mexico to establish this pilot project when existing studies demonstrate the potential actuarial and logistical effects of mental health insurance parity. My administration’s primary objective is to keep health insurance costs at a level that everyone can afford.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor