SENATE BILL 640

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; CREATING THE HEALTH SECURITY PLAN FUND; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. HEALTH SECURITY PLAN FUND CREATED--REIMBURSEMENT TO HEALTH SECURITY PLAN FROM FEDERAL AND OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS.--

          A. The "health security plan fund" is created in the state treasury. All revenues received pursuant to the Health Security Act shall be deposited in the fund.

          B. The commission shall provide for the collection of premiums from eligible beneficiaries, employers, state and federal agencies and other entities, which money when combined with other money appropriated to the fund shall be sufficient to provide the required health care services and to pay the expenses of the commission and its administrative functions. All premiums and other money appropriated to the fund shall be credited to the fund.

          C. The fund shall be maintained in actuarially sound condition as evidenced by the annual written certification of a qualified independent actuary contracted by the commission.

          D. The commission shall seek payment to the health security plan from medicaid, medicare or any other federal or other insurance program for any reimbursable payment provided under the plan.

          E. The commission shall seek to maximize federal contributions and payments for health care services provided in New Mexico and shall ensure that the contributions of the federal government for health care services in New Mexico will not decrease in relation to other states as a result of any waivers, exemptions or agreements.

          F. The commission shall maintain sufficient reserves in the fund to provide for catastrophic and unforeseen expenditures.

     Section 2. APPROPRIATION.--Five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the legislative finance committee for expenditure in fiscal year 2010 to determine the financing options of the health security plan, contingent upon enactment of the Health Security Act during the first session of the forty-ninth legislature. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2010 shall revert to the general fund.

     Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2009, contingent upon House Bill 339 or Senate Bill 281 or a substitute for either bill of the forty-ninth legislature, first session, becoming law.

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