SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 26

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Sue Wilson Beffort

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO WORK WITH AN ORGANIZATION OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CLINICS AND AN ORGANIZATION OF INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES PROVIDERS TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF PROVIDING AFTER-HOURS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, behavioral health and substance abuse issues pose a serious problem for families and communities in the state; and

     WHEREAS, primary health care clinics provide a valuable service to the uninsured and to underserved and rural communities despite limited funding; and

     WHEREAS, access to behavioral health and substance abuse programs and services may be limited by a person's working hours; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of available facilities serving behavioral health and substance abuse needs is compounded by a lack of facilities providing after-hours services; and

     WHEREAS, many primary health care clinics may be capable of providing or expanding behavioral health and substance abuse services; and

     WHEREAS, an analysis conducted by the department of health in 2002 indicates there are serious gaps in behavioral health and substance abuse services in the state and that only nineteen percent of the need is being met;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to work with an organization of primary health care clinics and an organization of individual behavioral health and substance abuse services providers to determine the feasibility of allowing individual health care providers to use primary, rural and community health care clinics, federally qualified health centers and similar facilities to provide behavioral health and substance abuse services for persons who would otherwise go without services due to lack of facilities or providers that provide after-hours programs or services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health be requested to present its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee during its October 2004 meeting and that two copies of the department's written report be provided to the legislative council service library; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the department of health.

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