SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 26

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Dede Feldman

A JOINT MEMORIAL

AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE STATED HEALTH POLICY OF NEW MEXICO AND ENDORSING THE CONCEPT OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR ALL NEW MEXICANS.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico law states, "It is the policy of the state of New Mexico to promote optimal health; to prevent disease, disability and premature death; to improve the quality of life; and to assure that basic health care services are available, accessible, acceptable and culturally appropriate, regardless of financial status", and that "provision of basic treatment services to all New Mexicans" is a way of realizing that policy; and

     WHEREAS, access to health care is determined by such factors as the ability to obtain appropriate, timely, cost-effective and affordable health care; and

     WHEREAS, studies by such prestigious entities as the institute of medicine have demonstrated that access to care is impaired by various factors in the United States, particularly for those who have no insurance; and

     WHEREAS, health insurance premiums have risen at double- digit rates for several years, and no apparent end to the rising premiums is in sight; and

     WHEREAS, according to the 2001 national medical expenditure panel survey, more than thirty-five million of the one hundred twelve million working Americans do not have health insurance coverage from their employers; and

     WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by the federal health resources and services administration, forty-one percent of employers in New Mexico do not offer health insurance to their employees; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated twenty-one percent of New Mexico's population lack health insurance, ranking New Mexico second to last in the nation in this critical area; and

     WHEREAS, according to the world health organization, the United States spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product on health care services than any other country, but ranks thirty-seventh out of one hundred ninety-one countries in health outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, in 2002, New Mexico spent close to eight billion dollars ($8,000,000,000) on health care services, nearly seventy-five percent of which came from public sources; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, New Mexico spent an estimated six hundred fifty-four million dollars ($654,000,000) from the general fund on medicaid, yet more than twenty thousand income-eligible children are not enrolled in the program; and

     WHEREAS, the population of New Mexico that is over sixty-five is growing and will almost double by the year 2025, and it is projected to be fourth in the country in the percentage of the population over age sixty-five at more than twenty-six percent; and

     WHEREAS, current aging and long-term services, programs and related infrastructure are inadequate to meet the needs of a growing aging and disabled population; and

     WHEREAS, the current health care system is highly fragmented, resulting in inefficient access to health care services, high out-of-pocket expenses, safety and quality-of- care concerns, and duplication of services and administration;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the goals of the stated health policy of New Mexico be adhered to and implemented and that the concept of health care coverage for all New Mexicans be hereby endorsed; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a strong commitment to achieving this goal of health care coverage for all New Mexicans be made a priority of this body; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the governor and the New Mexico congressional delegation.

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