SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 77

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

INTRODUCED BY

Manny M. Aragon

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON HEALTH CARE EXPENDITURES AND REFORM OPTIONS.

     WHEREAS, "health care" encompasses more than coverage, access and delivery; it also includes primary and preventive care, nutrition and exercise; and

     WHEREAS, the viability of the health care industry is as much a part of economic development as new and higher-paying jobs; and

     WHEREAS, health insurance premiums have risen at a rate that outpaces general inflation; and

     WHEREAS, rising health care costs affect all New Mexicans; 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; and

     WHEREAS, increasing numbers of businesses cannot afford to provide health care coverage for their employees; and

     WHEREAS, rising health care costs impact the cost of workers' compensation, automobile and malpractice insurance premiums; and

     WHEREAS, as health care costs continue to increase, the number of uninsured and uncompensated New Mexicans will continue to rise; and

     WHEREAS, losses from uncompensated care could be reduced if insurance were provided to the uninsured; and

     WHEREAS, the legislature is currently faced with the dilemma of having to fund a variety of important health programs, including medicaid, state employee, teacher and retiree health benefits; public health initiatives; and prescription drugs, at a time of rising costs and limited general funds; and

     WHEREAS, over the years, the legislature and the executive have established numerous programs to address the issues of health care cost, coverage and access; and

     WHEREAS, despite these efforts, the problems of coverage, access and cost continue to confront New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the continuously increasing cost of health care and the large numbers of uninsured New Mexicans necessitate the state considering a wide range of new approaches to addressing these serious problems; and

     WHEREAS, there are many options for reducing the number of uninsured, from coverage through a single program to insurance-market and employment-based reforms; and

     WHEREAS, the challenge to policymakers is to select the option or options that will reduce the number of uninsured and control rising health care costs; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico health policy commission is the agency designated to collect and evaluate health data and make policy recommendations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to conduct a comprehensive study to determine current and projected health expenditures in New Mexico that will serve as a base line for proposals for dealing with expenditures and reform options; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study look at several alternative health care coverage models and analyze the impact of these models on health care expenditures and the number of uninsured; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to report its findings to the legislative health and human services committee at its October 2004 meeting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico health policy commission.

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