REQUESTING A DEFINITIVE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NEW MEXICO'S PUBLICLY FUNDED HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM BY THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION; REQUESTING AN AUDIT OF THE MEDICAID MANAGED CARE SYSTEM BY THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, the state's health policy is that basic health care services should be accessible and available to all New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, improving the overall health and well-being of New Mexicans requires the concerted effort of many groups and individuals from the private and public sectors, including federal, tribal, state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, the state continues its substantial efforts to establish and expand health care coverage and services for children and other vulnerable populations; and

WHEREAS, despite expansion of financial access and additional programs and funding, direct access to adequate and appropriate services, including dental and behavioral health services and special services for specific vulnerable populations, is substantially lacking; and

WHEREAS, good health and the health care system are intricately related with human services, education, economic status and physical environment; and

WHEREAS, previous studies have noted the significant fragmentation and duplication of publicly funded services and programs; and

WHEREAS, publicly funded health care in New Mexico is in competition for funding with many other public interests while it undergoes substantial change, including the shift to managed care; and

WHEREAS, rural and safety net providers in many areas of the state are in dire stress due to reduced funding and continuing policy uncertainties; and

WHEREAS, the legislative finance committee is implementing performance based budgeting and has authority to conduct audits of state programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission develop a definitive strategic plan for an integrated, publicly funded health care financing and delivery system to implement state health policy and to further coordination between health services and other human needs services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the plan include a definition of most needed health services, including medicaid managed care, and a complete assessment of their financing and delivery, and all state and local planning affecting those services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative finance committee, with assistance from the New Mexico health policy commission, conduct a fiscal and performance audit of the medicaid managed care program and its impact on other publicly funded health services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission give a progress report on the development of the strategic plan and related matters to the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative finance committee by October 1, 1999 and submit its findings and recommendations to the same committees no later than September 15, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the legislative finance committee, the legislative health and human services committee and the New Mexico health policy commission.