[1] NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

 

Only the most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC’s office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR:

Vaughn

 

DATE TYPED:

2/6/02

 

HB

HJM 82

 

SHORT TITLE:

Value of Community Health Workers Study

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY02

FY03

FY02

FY03

 

 

 

 

$0.1

See Narrative

Non-Recurring

General Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

 

Duplicates SJM 53

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

   

Department of Health (DOH)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of Bill

 

House Joint Memorial 82 is introduced for the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee and recommends that a study be completed by the New Mexico Health Policy Commission to study the value of Community Health Workers  (CHW) to the health care delivery system and their impact on public health outcomes, economic development and access to health care.

 

 HJM 82 would direct the Health Policy Commission to lead a task force, to include representatives from Department of Health, Human Services Department, Statewide Association of Community Health Workers, health care providers, educators and other organizations as appropriate to study the value of community health workers and report to the Interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee in October of 2002. 

 

 

     Significant Issues

 

New Mexico has been referred to as both a “rural” (fewer than 100 people per square mile in a county) and a “frontier” (6-10 or fewer people per square mile in a county) State, making the provision of health care services challenging.  In addition, because New Mexico is challenged by economic development and health disparities, the State would benefit from linkage by community members with needed health services and outreach educators. 

 

In New Mexico, community health workers work in various paid and volunteer positions are known as lay health advocates, promotoras, outreach educators, doulas, community health representatives, peer health promoters and community outreach workers.

 

DOH reports that study conducted by the University of Arizona found that the role of community health workers effectively bridges cultural differences between communities and health and social service systems by providing culturally appropriate health education and information, ensuring that people get the services they need, advocating for individual and community needs and providing direct services such as Medicaid application screening and transportation

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

HJM 82 does not appropriate any funding to support the study.  The recommended HPC budget in the HAFC CS/HB2 proposes $1.397 million for FY2003.  This represents a reduction of approximately $428,000 from FY2002.  In addition, SB 379 proposes to take an additional $400,000 from the HPC budget to support a Medicaid Reform Committee with the Legislative Council Service.  The two proposals represent a 45% reduction in funds.  If these recommendations are enacted, the Commission will not have sufficient funds to conduct its statutory requirements and additional Memorial studies.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The activities proposed by HJM 82 requires HPC to assist the Task Force in its deliberations, conduct research and to prepare the findings and recommendations.  While the proposed study is within the scope and mission of the Health Policy Commission, HPC acknowledges that the proposed budget reductions identified in the Fiscal Implications section will likely result in the need for the HPC to reduce staff by up to 9 FTEs.  The remaining staff will need to prioritize their time to meet statutorily mandated requirements.  Therefore, less time will be available to devote to studies such as the one proposed by HJM 82. 

 

DUPLICATION/CONFLICTS

 

Duplicates SJM 53

Conflicts with SB 379

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES

 

Include Tribal entities and Health Maintenance Organizations in the list of participants in the study.

 

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The Bernalillo County Community Health Workers Consortium, a member of the New Mexico Community Health Workers Association, supports HJM 82.  The NM Community Health Workers Association is a statewide association of community health workers committed to addressing the training needs of community health workers, increasing and improving access to health care services in New Mexico, and identifying and increasing employment opportunities for CHW.  The Association was loosely formed in 1993 and in 1995 received a 3-year grant from Robert Wood Johnson and the Kaiser Foundation, which served to formalize the organization.   New Mexico is one of the first states to form a statewide Association of Community Health Workers to address training needs.

 

The American Public Health Association (2001) has issued a policy statement “Recognition and Support for Community Health Workers’ Contributions to Meeting our Nation’s Health Care Needs”, which also recognizes the strengths CHWs bring to the health care delivery system and the challenges these workers encounter because of a lack of standardized roles, definitions, funding streams, relationships to other health care professionals, policies and training.

 

HPC reports that Texas and Mississippi have mandated State certification of community health workers, and other states are reviewing certification requirements. 

 

BD/prr


 [1]Begin typing on the * in replace mode.  Do not add or delete spaces.