Democracy for New Mexico

Great News! NM Senate Judiciary Committee Passes the Health Security Act!

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Yesterday (Monday), the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Health Security Act (Senate Bill 720) by a 6-4 vote! It was an exciting hearing, with a roomful of Health Security Act supporters and strong, impassioned testimony in favor of Senate Bill 720.

Many thanks to those who came to the hearing to show and voice their support for the Health Security Act! Thanks also to those who could not come to the State Capitol but were providing long-distance support from around the state.

Next Step: The Senate Finance Committee.
The Health Security Act now moves to the Senate Finance Committee. Click here for Committee members and their contact information. We'll need your help to get the Health Security Act passed by the Finance Committee! If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.
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Editor's Note: More information about the bill is provided in this press release from the NM Senate Democrats and the bill's sponsor, Senator Carlos Cisneros:

NM Senate Bill 720, introduced by Senator Carlos Cisneros (D-Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe and Taos-6) won approval today from the Senate Judiciary Committee by a margin of 6-4 in a party line vote. The bill would be a giant step toward providing health care coverage for all New Mexicans.

The proposed legislation is the result of input from organizations and interested groups from across the state over many years. It is aimed at providing a solution to New Mexico’s health care crisis.  The bill will next be presented to the Senate Finance Committee.

Senator Carlos Cisneros commented, “I am elated that the Committee was receptive to this concept for extending health care to all New Mexicans. In his State of the State address the Governor called for bold new steps to improve the lives of New Mexican citizens and this certainly is one.”

Under the Health Security Act:

•The old-fashioned concept of an insurance plan would be the basis of the Health Security Plan under which approximately 1.6 million young, old, healthy and the not-so-healthy New Mexicans will share the risk.*

•Military personnel and federal retirees will maintain their own plans.   

•Tribes and plans covered under ERISA will have the option to join.

•An independent non-governmental Commission will administer the Health Security Plan -- a Commission is geographically representative and publicly accountable.

•The private health care delivery system stays in place.

•No new taxes will be required.

•The Health Security Plan is paid for by combining existing public dollars spent on health care (Medicaid, Medicare) with premiums based on income and employer contributions (with caps).

•Counties will decide how to use their indigent funds under the Plan.

•Developing and implementing the Plan would follow a go-slow approach:

•Year 1: analysis of the cost – with public input. If the financial costs are too much and not approved by the Legislature, the Health Security Plan will not go into effect.

•Years 2 & 3: If the financial picture looks good, it is estimated that working out the details of the Health Security Plan with public input will take two more years -- with the ability to extend the time to proceed or to put on the brakes should this phase not be workable.

The Plan Guarantees:

•Health care coverage for all New Mexicans, regardless of age, income, employment, or health status.

•Freedom of choice of doctor and hospital within and across state lines.

•Comprehensive benefits, no less than those offered to state employees.

•Protections so retirees will not lose what they already have.

* According to numerous state studies, including one completed for New Mexico, pooling state residents will result in a reduction of health expenditures by billions of dollars.

Medical Marijuana Bill Passed by NM Senate

Senate Bill 238, which would authorize the medical use of marijuana in certain circumstances, passed the NM Senate yesterday by a margin of 34-7. The bill, sponsored by NM Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, moves next to the NM House. The measure gained passage in the Senate twice in two years, but was hung up in the House each time. See our previous posts here and here for more information on the bill and the issues it raises. The Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico is one of the primary advocates behind this bill and provides many excellent resources related to this effort.

NM Senate Judiciary Committee to Consider Health Security Act Monday

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
The Health Security Act (Senate Bill 720) will have its first hearing this coming Monday, February 12, in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee usually starts to hear bills at 1:30 PM, or half an hour after the floor session ends, if that time is later. The Senate Judiciary Committee meets in Room 321 at the State Capitol. Please come to this important hearing!

Time to Call Judiciary Committee Senators! If your senator is on the Judiciary Committee (see list below), now is the time to call and ask him or her to support the Health Security Act.

Identify yourself as a constituent and urge your senator to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act, which will let New Mexico set up its own health plan, like a cooperative.

If your senator is NOT a member of the Judiciary Committee, maybe you have friends or relatives whose senator is on the committee. Please contact them and ask them to call their senator!!

Constituents calling their senator will have a big impact on what happens to the Health Security Act on Friday. We need your help to ensure passage of Senate Bill 720 in the Senate Judiciary Committee! Please let us know once you have made the call to your senator. We appreciate hearing from you.

Senate Judiciary Committee Members

• Sen. Cisco McSorley, Chair (D) – Senate District 16 (Albuquerque): 986-4485
• Sen. Richard C. Martinez, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 5 (Rio Arriba County): 986-4389
• Sen. William H. Payne, Ranking Member (R) – Senate District 20 (Albuquerque): 986-4276
• Sen. Rod Adair (R) – Senate District 33 (Chaves County): 986-4385
• Sen. Kent L. Cravens (R) – Senate District 21 (Albuquerque, Placitas): 986-4391
• Sen. John T. L. Grubesic (D) – Senate District 25 (Santa Fe): 986-4260
• Sen. Clinton D. Harden (R) – Senate District 7 (Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Taos, and Union counties): 986-4369
• Sen. Linda M. Lopez (D) – Senate District 11 (Albuquerque): 986-4737
• Sen. Lidio G. Rainaldi (D) – Senate District 4 (Cibola and McKinley counties): 986-4310
• Sen. Michael S. Sanchez (D) – Senate District 29 (Valencia County): 986-4727

Don’t Know Who Your State Senator Is? Here’s how to find out:

• Go to the legislature’s website: www.legis.state.nm.us
• Click on “Find Your Legislator”
• Under “Senate,” click on “Search by Name, District or Zip Code”
• Enter your zip code (in some areas—like Albuquerque—you may need to input the extra four digits after your zip code)

You can also call your county clerk.

And While You're at It, Call the Governor! Many thanks to all of you who have called the Governor to ask him to support the Health Security Act. The calls are rolling in. We need to keep this up, so if you have not already done so, be sure to call the Governor at 827-3000. Thank you!

If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.

Gov. Richardson Urges NM Legislature to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

Excellent news. According to an Albuquerque Journal article, Gov. Bill Richardson has announced his continuing support for NM Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino's medical marijuana bill, SB 238. Excerpts:

Gov. Bill Richardson today urged this year's Legislature to pass Senate Bill 238, a medical marijuana bill titled the "Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act" named in honor of the late Lynn Pierson, who advocated marijuana use while suffering from cancer, and Erin Armstrong, who has been suffering from cancer since being diagnosed as a teen-ager eight years ago.

... "I continue to support a medical marijuana bill that includes proper safeguards to prevent abuse," Richardson said in a news release. "I will work with legislators to get it passed this session to provide this option for New Mexicans suffering from debilitating diseases."

... A similar bill passed the state Senate in last year's session by a 34-6 vote, with 12 Republicans joining 22 Democrats in voting for passage, but the bill died after reaching the House floor in the closing hours of the 2006 session, the Journal has reported.

For more information on this bill and how you can help support it, read our previous post. Having passed both the NM Senate Public Affairs Commitee and the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill is headed for a vote by the full Senate, probably this Thursday, February 8, 2007.

Tell the NM Senate to Vote For Compassion on Medical Marijuana

From the Drug Policy Alliance Action Center:
Medical marijuana legislation is headed to the New Mexico Senate floor this week after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 7 to 3 on Monday evening! This is the final push to get SB 238, the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, through the Senate and into the House for final committee hearings and the House floor vote.

This is the year to finally help patients access the medicine they so desperately need! Please call your Senator by Thursday and encourage them to support SB 238 during the floor vote.

You'll want to call your Senator's Capitol office phone number, which can be found at the NM State Legislature website. If you don't know your Senator's name, just enter your zip code plus four. Click here to find your zip plus four-digit code.

Tips on Making a Call: Most legislators' staff answer their phones during the session and log all of the messages. The call only takes a minute. The call to your Senator will take little time but make a huge impact.

• Be courteous, positive, and brief.
• Identify yourself and mention that you are a constituent.
• Ask the legislator to vote yes for SB 238 on the Senate floor.
• Feel free to briefly tell them why you personally support the bill.

In Brief: The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act would allow qualified patients suffering from certain serious illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and epilepsy to use marijuana for relief from their symptoms. Feel free to refer to our or before you call.

Thanks so much for calling - and please feel free to forward this information to other individuals and email lists that might be interested. The more voices that speak up for these bills, the more likely they will become law. If you have any questions please call us at (505) 983-3277.

Reena Szczepanski
Drug Policy Alliance Network
www.improveNewMexico.org

Learn More About the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act: The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act would allow qualified patients suffering from certain serious illnesses - such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and epilepsy - to use marijuana for relief of their symptoms. The law would require a patient to receive a recommendation for cannabis (i.e., medical marijuana) from his/her medical provider. The patient could then apply to participate in the program through the Department of Health, and an independent review board of doctors would consider each application.

Upon approval by the board, the patient would receive a registry identification card from the New Mexico Department of Health, certifying that he/she was a participant in the Lynn and Erin program. By registering in this way, the patient and the patient's primary caregiver would be allowed to possess only enough cannabis to treat the patient. Only providers who already can prescribe controlled substances could recommend patients for the program. The Department of Health will develop regulations for licensed producers within the state, identifying standards for safety, security, and distribution.

The new law would not allow medical marijuana use in public, and would penalize lying to a law enforcement officer regarding the medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health would keep a registry of participants so that law enforcement officers could confirm the validity of a patient's registration card. Patients under 18 years old could only participate with parental consent.

Call the Governor on Health Security Act

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
The Governor’s office has already received well over 100 calls asking him to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act. Supporters: Please make your call to the Governor in support of Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act, on Monday (February 5) or Tuesday (February 6). Tell your friends to call as well! In fact, tell all the people you know who support the Health Security Act that they need to call the Governor.

It’s time for the Governor to hear from the people of our state that we do not want a Massachusetts-style plan that continues the trend of pouring taxpayer dollars into a failing private insurance system. We want passage of the Health Security Act (Senate Bill 720), which lets New Mexico set up its own plan, like a cooperative. Calling the Governor is easy and will really help our Campaign. And NOW is the time to do it!

Be sure to let us know once you have made the call! We appreciate hearing from you.

Governor’s office: 505-827-3000. Remember to mention the Health Security Act (Senate Bill 720) by name and bill number.

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
The Health Security Act (Senate Bill 720) will have its first hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee sometime this coming week—either Wednesday or Friday. Below are the names of the Judiciary Committee members and their telephone numbers at the capitol.

Sen. Cisco McSorley, Chair (D) – Senate District 16 (Albuquerque): 986-4485

Sen. Richard C. Martinez, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 5 (Rio Arriba County): 986-4389

Sen. William H. Payne, Ranking Member (R) – Senate District 20 (Albuquerque): 986-4276

Sen. Rod Adair (R) – Senate District 33 (Chaves County): 986-4385

Sen. Kent L. Cravens (R) – Senate District 21 (Albuquerque): 986-4391

Sen. John T. L. Grubesic (D) – Senate District 25 (Santa Fe): 986-4260

Sen. Clinton D. Harden (R) – Senate District 7 (Colfax, Curry, Harding, Quay, San Miguel, Taos, and Union counties): 986-4369

Sen. Linda M. Lopez (D) – Senate District 11 (Albuquerque): 986-4737

Sen. Lidio G. Rainaldi (D) – Senate District 4 (Cibola and McKinley counties): 986-4310

Sen. Michael S. Sanchez (D) – Senate District 29 (Valencia County): 986-4727

If you are a constituent of one of the above state senators, we will let you know when to call him or her.

Don’t Know Who Your State Senator Is? Here’s how to find out:

• Go to the legislature’s website: www.legis.state.nm.us
• Click on “Find Your Legislator”
• Under “Senate,” click on “Search by Name, District or Zip Code”
• Enter your zip code (in some areas—like Albuquerque—you may need to input the extra four digits after your zip code)

There are also Senate district maps available: click on “Districts” instead of “Find Your Legislator” and chose the statewide map or the Albuquerque map. If you have any questions, contact Josette (771-8763; jhaddad@cableone.net).

Domestic Partnership Heath Care Bill Advances

ACTION ALERT: Please contact your NM Representative to support this bill. You can find your representative here. See our previous post on this bill for more information.

From the NM Democratic Majority House Leadership:
A bill that allows health care coverage for domestic partners will be heading to the House floor for a vote. HB 15 sponsored by Rep. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) received a do pass recommendation from the House Heath and Government Affairs Committee with a 7 to 1 vote.

“This bill gives employers the option of providing health care coverage to employees in a domestic partnership relationship. The bill does not mandate that employers provide coverage, but it does require insurance companies to do so if the business chooses to offer the coverage,” said Rep. Wirth.

Domestic partners are defined as unmarried partners over 18 years of age who are in a mutually exclusive, committed relationship and have shared a primary residence for at least 12 consecutive months. The partners must also be responsible for the common welfare of each other and share financial obligations.

For more information:
Kathleen MacRae, Media Relations
House Majority Office of Ken Martinez
Room 209, 986-4781
Primary contact: cell 505-681-3920

Update: NM Health Security Act

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
More Local Governments Supporting Health Security Act! The Village of Los Lunas, the Otero County and Rio Arriba County Commissions recently unanimously passed resolutions in support of the Health Security Act. Total to date: 14 municipalities and 11 counties. Below is the complete list.

Counties: Bernalillo, Cibola, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Otero, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Taos, Valencia

Municipalities: Albuquerque, Belen, Carlsbad, Corrales, Deming, Grants, Hatch, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Los Lunas, Mesilla, Pecos, Rio Rancho, Silver City

Sen. Cisneros Calls Press Conference to Announce Introduction of Health Security Act: This Wednesday, January 31st, Sen. Carlos Cisneros (right) will be holding a press conference at the State Capitol (Room 326) at 12:45 PM. The Mayor of Albuquerque, the Mayor of Carlsbad, Cibola County Commissioner Jane Pitts, Taos County Commissioner Nick Jaramillo and other officials will be present along with Campaign supporters. Please come!!!

Without a doubt, growing public support combined with the deterioration of our health care system has led counties and municipalities to conclude that it is time for the legislature to pass the Health Security Act. It is the only proposal that has been designed by New Mexicans for New Mexicans.

The Choice for New Mexico Is Clear:

• continue to pour more and more taxpayer dollars into a failing private insurance system, or
• move in a new direction with the Health Security Act

The Health Security Act will enable New Mexico to set up its own health plan - like a cooperative - with freedom of choice of provider and a comprehensive benefit package.

How You Can Help
Contact Dana (northern New Mexico) or Cathilia (southern New Mexico) if you want to set up a meeting with your local county commission or city/village.

Dana: 269-3779; e-mail: dsmillen@msn.com
Cathilia: 635-0996; e-mail: cathilia@gmail.com

Let us know if you are willing to be a phone contact person, which means you are able to get 5 other people in your community to contact their local representative when the time is right at the legislature.

More News to Come: We are planning a lobby day at the legislature. Details will be available shortly.

Health Insurance Coverage for Domestic Partners Clears First Hurdle at NM Legislature

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports:

A bill that would require insurance companies to provide health coverage to domestic partners of employees -- if requested by an employer -- cleared its first hurdle Tuesday when it was unanimously endorsed by the House Consumers and Public Affairs Committee.

"What we're doing is kind of working along the edges to close gaps that exist as we move toward universal coverage," bill sponsor Rep. Peter Wirth (photo right), D-Santa Fe, said after the committee hearing.

The bill (House Bill 15) next goes to the House Health and Government Affairs Committee.

I have a personal stake in this one as I get my health insurance via my partner's job. We have to pay extra for it on a taxable basis, but if my partner's employer didn't use an insurer that provides such coverage, I'd be out of luck. And that insurer could change its mind any time about offerering domestic partner coverage.

There are a number of insurers (not to mention employers) in NM that flat out refuse to offer it. If my partner took a job at a company using one of them, I'd lose my coverage. Unfortunately, I'm not qualified to purchase COBRA coverage if my partner should lose her job for any reason, unlike the spouses and dependents of employees, but at least I have it for now. Sadly, my partner has actually had to turn down jobs with employers whose insurance plans refused to offer domestic coverage, despite the fact the employer wanted it. Unfair indeed.

Fortunately, it looks like this bill, which would apply to both straight and gay domestic partners, has a good chance of passing, according to its sponsor:

Wirth said he has received overwhelmingly positive feedback to his bill. "This is one of those bills that really makes sense," Wirth said.

This bill is one of the legislative efforts being supported by Equality New Mexico. Click here for their report on the bill, which includes some warnings about possible right wing interest in excluding GLBT citizens from coverage by introducing a Super DOMA bill. Also see my previous post for more info on EQNM's legislative plans.

Here's a list of members of the House Health and Government Affairs Committee, where the bill will next be heard. It's very important to contact them NOW.

You can see a copy of the bill and follow its progress here. If passed by the House Health & Government Affairs Committee (HHGAC), the bill will go to the Senate for committee assignment there.

NM Senator Carlos Cisneros to Introduce Health Security Act

From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Senator Carlos Cisneros (Taos) will sponsor the Health Security Act this legislative session. Growing public support combined with the deterioration of our health care system has led the Campaign to conclude that it is time to pass the Health Security Act — the only proposed New Mexico solution that has received substantial public input over the years.

The choice for New Mexico is

• to continue to invest more and more taxpayer dollars in our failing private insurance system, or
• to move in a new direction with the Health Security Act.

The Health Security Act will enable the state to set up its own health plan — like a cooperative — with freedom of choice of provider and a comprehensive benefit package. As soon as the legislation is introduced, we will let you know the bill number.

Increasing County and City Support
Since July of 2006, numerous county commissions and city/village councils have passed resolutions in support of the Health Security Act. This is a very new and exciting development in Campaign history. And more resolutions are expected in the weeks to come!

Here is the latest list.

Counties: Bernalillo, Cibola, Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sandoval, Taos, Valencia

Cities: Albuquerque, Belen, Carlsbad, Deming, Grants, Hatch, La Mesilla, Las Cruces, Las Vegas, Pecos, Rio Rancho, Silver City, Taos

How You Can Help
Contact Dana (northern New Mexico) or Cathilia (southern New Mexico) if you want to set up a meeting with your local county commission or city/village.

Dana: 269-3779; e-mail: dsmillen@msn.com
Cathilia: 635-0996; e-mail: cathilia@gmail.com

Let us know if you are willing to be a phone contact person, which means you are able to get 5 other people in your community to contact their local representative when the time is right at the legislature.

More News to Come
We are planning a lobby day at the legislature. Details will be available shortly.