Lt. Gov. Denish Breaks Tie to Stop Amendment Damaging to HB 12

Speaking of HB 12, which passed the Senate and is headed to the Governor's desk, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish today voted to block a damaging amendment to the bill. The change would have allowed insurance companies to pad their bottom lines by allocating less to direct patient care and more to administration, profit and frivolous advertising.

It the amendment had passed, it would have authorized health insurance companies to allocate 25 percent of their funds to administration, which includes profits and advertising. Denish’s tie-breaking vote as President of the Senate killed the amendment and restored the balance where 85 percent of insurance company funds must go to direct patient care while 15 percent could go to administrative costs.

“During these tough times, we know the special interests are looking for ways to take advantage of regular New Mexicans – and we need to stop them,” Denish said in a press release. “Defeating this amendment ensures that more health-care dollars go toward direct patient care rather than frivolous marketing or huge profits for corporations.”