HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 68
46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004
INTRODUCED BY
John A. Heaton
A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION AND OTHERS, TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE VIABILITY AND THE PROCESS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR THE UNINSURED IN NEW MEXICO.
WHEREAS, existing New Mexico law does not provide a system for universal health insurance coverage for its residents; and
WHEREAS, businesses in New Mexico are not required to provide health insurance coverage for their employees and dependents other than workers' compensation coverage for work-related injuries; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico sponsors or provides a variety of health care coverage plans, including medicaid, the state children’s health insurance plan, the New Mexico health insurance alliance, the New Mexico medical insurance pool for high-risk individuals, the New Mexico public school insurance authority, the retiree health care authority and the risk management division of the general services department; and
WHEREAS, there are health and human service programs for specialty populations provided by the department of health, the children, youth and families department and others; and
WHEREAS, many counties have health care coverage programs for the indigent; and
WHEREAS, most individuals over sixty-five years of age in New Mexico are covered by the federal medicare program; and
WHEREAS, despite the availability of this wide array of coverage, New Mexico has approximately four hundred thousand people, which represents twenty-one percent of the state's population, who have no health coverage at all; and
WHEREAS, of the four hundred thousand, approximately sixty thousand are children and the remaining three hundred forty thousand are adults between the ages of nineteen and sixty-five; and
WHEREAS, more than eighty percent of the uninsured adults are employed, and many work for an employer that does not offer health insurance coverage; and
WHEREAS, health care providers in New Mexico sustain significant losses in revenue when they provide uncompensated care to the uninsured population, estimated at between two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) and three hundred million dollars ($300,000,000) in lost revenue for hospitals alone; and
WHEREAS, losses from uncompensated care could be significantly reduced and health plan profits significantly increased by ensuring health care coverage for the uninsured; and
WHEREAS, employment-based health insurance coverage provides access to the latest advances in medical care for thousands of New Mexicans; and
WHEREAS, people lacking health insurance coverage have poorer health outcomes, are more likely to miss needed treatment or medications and are more likely to have chronic conditions that are not properly managed; and
WHEREAS, the lack of health insurance coverage for so many New Mexicans results in a social and economic burden for the affected families, employers, health care providers and the state of New Mexico;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the human services department, in collaboration with the department of health, the New Mexico health policy commission and others, be requested to investigate and make recommendations about the feasibility and process necessary to provide health insurance coverage for the uninsured in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation explore the potential for existing health plans in New Mexico to pay a premium tax in an amount sufficient to enable the state to act as a purchasing agent to pool these revenues to purchase coverage for the uninsured with sliding-scale cost-sharing contributions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation also explore the potential for assessing a fee on employers that do not offer health insurance to their employees to increase the funds available to purchase coverage for the uninsured; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation explore the potential for collaboration between or expansion of existing health plans, which serve New Mexicans, as vehicles for providing health care coverage for the uninsured in New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation consider the benefits of utilizing the approved health insurance and flexibility and accountability demonstration waiver, commonly referred to as the state coverage initiative, as a vehicle to provide health insurance coverage for the uninsured beyond the currently projected population; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the vital role of the state's safety net providers, including county and community hospitals, rural primary care clinics, other providers and networks of providers be recognized and preserved in this investigation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an investigation of the need to reinstitute a certificate of need to avoid duplication of facilities or equipment, and to ensure appropriate use of scarce resources be included; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a report of the recommendations and findings be presented to the legislative health and human services committee at its October 2004 meeting and that two copies be provided to the legislative council service library; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the secretary of human services, the secretary of health and the director of the New Mexico health policy commission.
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