April 5, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 62

The Honorable Richard Romero and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 733, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This bill would require the Human Services Department to reimburse physicians participating in the Medicaid program at 125 percent of the Medicare rate. It would also add a new section to the Child Health Care Act providing that a custodial parent of a Medicaid eligible child would be eligible for Medicaid if the parent’s net income is below 100 percent of the federal poverty level. Salud! as it presently exists is a successful, state-of-the-art, cost effective health care model. This bill would cost the state millions of additional dollars, require extra staff and create multiple layers of bureaucracy. The citizens of New Mexico need, deserve and currently receive proper care through the Salud! program. For the sake of these citizens it is foolish to risk overall program success to address the needs of a few individuals.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________

Secretary of State

Date ______________________

Time:______________________

Date_______________________ By:_____________________________

Chief Clerk of the Senate

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