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

SUPPORTING THE WORK OF THE TWENTY-THIRD NEW MEXICO FIRST TOWN HALL IN ITS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO ALL NEW MEXICANS.

WHEREAS, the health care system in New Mexico can benefit from increased attention and cooperation from the many private, public and community providers, consumers and specialized agencies whose interests affect our health care; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico first was created by United States Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete V. Domenici in 1986, and since the 1990 New Mexico first town hall focused on health, New Mexico first has taken a growing interest in influencing the progress of health care policies in our state; and

WHEREAS, the 1990 New Mexico first town hall on health care was strongly influential in the creation of the New Mexico health policy commission, an agency that plays an increasing role in improving the state's health systems; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico first also played a major role in developing policy leading to expanded prenatal care for women living below one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level; and

WHEREAS, the 1999 New Mexico first town hall health care report charged its health care implementation team with many responsibilities, including coordinating with community health councils to define basic health care services; and

WHEREAS, the charge also includes ensuring clear definition of issues impeding delivery of basic services in both rural and urban settings and working with all partners necessary to improve access by those uninsured and underinsured; and

WHEREAS, other responsibilities of the health care implementation team include increasing the number of New Mexicans who have health insurance and facilitating governmental policy and regulation changes toward an improved statewide health care delivery system; and

WHEREAS, the health care implementation team is also directed to help develop the financing aspects of a basic health care plan; and

WHEREAS, the health care implementation team's charge also includes working with the United States department of agriculture to feed the eighteen percent of New Mexicans identified as hungry; and

WHEREAS, another important charge is to identify nonpartisan leaders to champion the recommendations of the New Mexico first town hall;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the health care goals of the twenty-third New Mexico first town hall be endorsed and that its health care implementation team be encouraged to pursue its charge with diligence and vigor toward the goal of improving the health care of all New Mexicans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature request the New Mexico first town hall health care implementation team to present, prior to each regular session of the legislature, a report of its recommendations and progress toward implementation of its goals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature express its gratitude to the hundreds of dedicated New Mexicans who participate in New Mexico first town hall activities that continually provide this body with much needed information, direction and support; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to New Mexico first.