April 8, 1999

The Honorable Manny M. Aragon and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 511, as amended, with certificate of correction, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation proposes 20 pages of amendments and additions to the Patient Protection Act of 1998. That Act, which greatly advanced patient protection, would now be amended in a way that would increase administrative costs. That cost would be passed on to the consumers. It would also create a very cumbersome third appeal mechanism from decisions by managed care organizations. Finally, the bill will result in increased costs to both the Department of Health and the Department of Insurance.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor