44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - 2nd special session, 2000

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION, THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING, THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OTHERS TO WORK TOGETHER TO STUDY AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON LOW MEDICARE RATES AND UNFAIR METHODOLOGY.

WHEREAS, the present methodology used by the federal government to determine medicare payment rates results in disproportionately low rates for health care providers in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, the resulting low medicare rates place a significant financial burden on New Mexico health care providers and result in limited access to services by medicare patients in urban and especially rural areas of the state; and

WHEREAS, low medicare rates are causing an exodus of health care providers from the state; and

WHEREAS, the existing medicare methodology is inherently unfair, inequitable and discriminating;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative finance committee, the department of health, the human services department, the New Mexico health policy commission, the office of the attorney general, the state agency on aging, New Mexico health plans and health care provider associations work cooperatively to study and develop recommendations to resolve issues related to low medicare rates and the unfair, inequitable and discriminatory medicare methodology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that their findings and recommendations be presented to the legislative finance committee, the New Mexico legislative council and the office of the governor by October 15, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative finance committee and its chair, the New Mexico legislative council, the New Mexico congressional delegation, the director of the health care financing administration, the secretary of the United States health and human services department, the New Mexico attorney general, the secretary of health, the secretary of human services, the chairman of the state agency on aging, the chairman of the New Mexico health policy commission and representatives of New Mexico health plans and health care provider associations.