46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO MEDICAID; DIRECTING THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM TO CREATE A PILOT PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS AND CO-OCCURRING ALCOHOL OR DRUG ADDICTION DISORDERS; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM-- PURPOSE--ELIGIBILITY.--Subject to the availability of state funds and consistent with the federal Social Security Act, the human services department shall create a pilot medicaid waiver program and may by rule provide assertive community-based integrated treatment services, to include nutrition and acupuncture, to one hundred medicaid-eligible persons with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring alcohol or drug addiction disorders in Dona Ana county. The department shall contract with the department of health for the design, development and operation of the pilot program.

Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the human services department for expenditure in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 to match available federal funding for the creation of a pilot program to serve one hundred medicaid-eligible clients with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring alcohol or drug addiction disorders in Dona Ana county. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2004 shall revert to the general fund.

Section 3. EMERGENCY.--It is necessary for the public peace, health and safety that this act take effect immediately.