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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