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 BILL 724, enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation would mandate, in statute, the use of a consumer directed model of care to deliver certain services. I have vetoed this bill because this type of legislation limits the executive’s flexibility in managing the Medicaid program. While the goal of this legislation is laudable it should not be mandated in law. The Medicaid Managed Care Program is still somewhat new and we need to resist attempts to make permanent adjustments in state law to a program which requires flexibility in order to effectively meet its client’s needs through state law.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor