SENATE MEMORIAL 56

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Nancy Rodriguez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FUNDING IMPACT OF, AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING, THE MANNER IN WHICH THE STATE'S SHARE OF MEDICAID AND INDIGENT CARE IS FUNDED.

     WHEREAS, medicaid is a joint state-federal safety net program for which states and the federal government share the cost of providing health care services to low-income and disabled individuals; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government provides broad guidelines to states regarding permissible funding sources for the state share of medicaid expenditures; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico counties contribute an amount equivalent to a gross receipts tax of one-sixteenth percent to the county-supported medicaid fund to support the state's medicaid program; and

     WHEREAS, 2014 changes to the Indigent Hospital and County Health Care Act require counties to dedicate and transfer an amount equivalent to a gross receipts tax of one-twelfth percent to the safety net care pool fund for the state share of medicaid; and

     WHEREAS, members of the public and policymakers would benefit from an analysis of New Mexico's current medicaid funding policy, particularly as it affects counties, hospitals and individual taxpayers;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of human services be requested to convene a task force to include representatives of the New Mexico association of counties, the New Mexico hospital association, the legislative finance committee and the human services department to conduct an analysis of the impact of the state's current medicaid and indigent care funding policy on counties, hospitals and individual taxpayers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, for state fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the task force be requested to determine:

          A. the poverty rate and local medicaid spending per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of personal income by county;

          B. the median household income and local medicaid spending per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of personal income by county;

          C. medicaid costs paid via local taxes by county of residence and income; and

          D. medicaid costs paid via local taxes by county of residence and home value; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to compare New Mexico's local share of medicaid and indigent care requirements to those of other states for fiscal years 2013 and 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be requested to develop recommendations regarding the way in which the state share of New Mexico's medicaid program and indigent care is funded; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force present its findings and recommendations to the legislative finance committee and the legislative health and human services committee by August 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of human services, the executive director of the New Mexico association of counties, the president of th New Mexico hospital association and the director of the legislative finance committee.

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