Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

 

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).  Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC 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

Feldman

DATE TYPED

2/2/04

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

Cancer Clinical Trial Patient Coverage

SB

73/aSPAC

 

 

ANALYST

Garcia

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

 

NFI

NFI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

LFC Files

 

Response Received From

Public Regulation Commission, Insurance Divison

 

SUMMARY

 

      Synopsis of SPAC Amendment

 

The Senate Public Affairs Committee Amendment adds the following language: “Section 2.  DELAYED REPEAL.—Section 1 of this act is repealed on July 1, 2009.” This addition replaces the previous language that repealed the act on July 1, 2004. Consequently, the amendment delays the repeal of the cancer clinical trial period through 2009.

 

Synopsis of Original Bill

 

The bill repeals the delayed repeal of required coverage of patient costs incurred during cancer clinical trials.

 

Significant Issues

 

Prior to the passage of Laws 2001, Chapter 27, Section 1, many insurers excluded from their benefits medical coverage for individuals who were participating in cancer clinical trials.  Patients participating in these trials don’t usually incur any medical cost associated with the trials.  However, they do often incur medical cost associated with other medical treatment. It is these other costs incurred by the patients that are required to be covered by Laws 2001, Chapter 27.

 

Coverage of cancer clinical trials was initially limited to a three-year trial period.  This trial period was to give interested parties an opportunity to measure the costs associated with cancer clinical trials.

 

Proponents of this bill believe the trial period has not resulted in measurable increased costs and that coverage of cancer clinical trails should be made permanent.

 

Those who would oppose this bill would argue the trial period has measured increased costs that have driven the cost of health insurance higher.  They would argue the delayed repeal should stay in place.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

This bill has no fiscal impact.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

If the bill is not enacted, coverage of patient cost incurred during cancer clinical trials will be repealed effective July 4, 2004.

 

DG/lg