Thursday, April 19, 2007
Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee Meetings to Focus on Mathematica Study Results
From Health Action NM:
Information about the Mathematica Study is starting to roll in. In the upcoming months, the Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee will be meeting to discuss the results of this study. Your presence is important at these meetings.
Mathematica Policy Research has been working on costing out three health care models that were decided by the Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee members. These models were New Mexico Health Choices Plan, Health Security Act, and New Mexico Health Coverage Plan.
Please mark your calendars:
Thursday, April 26th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
CNM (formerly TVI) Workforce Training Center, Room 103
5600 Eagle Rock NE, Albuquerque
(SEE DRAFT OF AGENDA BELOW)
Wednesday, May 16th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
CNM (formerly TVI) Workforce Training Center, Room 103
5600 Eagle Rock NE, Albuquerque
Thursday, June 21st, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
State Capital, Room 322, Santa Fe
___________________________________
(EDITOR'S NOTE: SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INPUT IN BOLD)
Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Thursday, April 26, 2007
Room 103, CNM (formerly TVI) Workforce Training Center
5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE, ALBUQUERQUE
DRAFT AGENDA
9:00 – 9:15 AM: Welcome, Review of Agenda, Approval of 10/19/06 & 11/30/06 Minutes – Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish
9:15 – 9:45 AM: Discussion of Study Design (and How It Differs From Other Approaches to Costing of Models)
• Dr. Deborah Chollet, Mathematica Policy Research Inc.
9:45 – 10:15 AM: Questions from Committee Members
10:15 – 11:00 AM Presentation of Specifications for Costing Analyses – Current System and Three Reform Models
• Dr. Deborah Chollet, Mathematica Policy Research Inc.
11:00 – 11:15 AM: BREAK
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Questions from Committee Members
12:00 – 12:30 PM: Public Input
12:30 – 1:00 PM: LUNCH BREAK (Committee members may order lunch)
1:00 – 1:45 PM Study’s Modeling Results for NM Current System
• Dr. Deborah Chollet & Dr. Su Liu, Mathematica Policy Research Inc.
1:45 – 2:30 PM: Questions of Mathematic from Committee Members
2:30 – 3:00 PM: Study’s Results To Date & Issues for Three Reform Models & What Will Come Next – Legal, Economic & Financial Issues
• Dr. Deborah Chollet & Dr. Su Liu, Mathematica Policy Research Inc.
3:00 – 3:15 PM: BREAK
3:15 – 3:45 PM: Public Input
3:45 – 4:30 PM: Questions & Discussion with Mathematica by Committee Members
4:30 – 5:00 PM Discussion of Possible Next Steps
• Meetings May 16 (Albuquerque) & June 21 (Santa Fe)
5:00 PM: ADJOURN
All Meetings Will Be Recorded
Thanks,
Health Action NM
Editor's Note: As reported in the Albuquerque Journal:
On October 19, [2006] 11 out of 19 members of Gov. Bill Richardson's Health Coverage for New Mexicans Committee, his third task force on health insurance reform, ranked the New Mexico Health Security Plan as their No. 1 choice to be included in a study that will analyze three different health care reform models and how they impact rising health care costs.
The committee's decision reflects the growing support of New Mexicans from all around the state for the Health Security Plan. The Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, which developed this plan, continues to grow ...
If you care about universal healthcare for New Mexico, now's the time to show up, make it known and learn more.
April 19, 2007 at 09:12 AM in Events, Healthcare | Permalink
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Monday, April 16, 2007
Press Conference Today: Health Insurance, Pension Benefits and the Employee Free Choice Act
From :
- Americans United for Change to release new report showing how many more thousands of New Mexicans would receive health insurance and pension benefits under the Employee Free Choice Act
- Senator Domenici called on to vote for publicly supported legislation that would level the playing field for middle class workers by fixing a broken system for forming unions and bargaining for better pay, improved benefits and retirement security
WHO: Americans United for Change: Christine Trujillo, AFL-CIO, Carter Bundy, AFSCME, Local Healthcare Advocates
WHAT: Press conference to release new report showing how many more thousands of New Mexicans would receive health insurance and pension benefits under the Employee Free Choice Act. Following the press conference participants will deliver the report to Senator Domenici's office.
WHEN: Monday April 16th at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Albuquerque Plaza, Near Corner of 3rd & Copper
As more and more middle class American workers become disenfranchised in a broken system for forming unions and bargaining with employers for fair, treatment, better pay and improved benefits, and local labor leaders and healthcare advocates will release a timely new report prepared by the Institute for America's Future showing how many more New Mexicans would likely receive health insurance and pension benefits if the Employee Free Choice Act were to become law.
The Employee Free Choice Act passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 1 and will come to the floor of the U.S. Senate this month. The Employee Free Choice Act is overwhelmingly supported by 69 percent of American public, according to a recent poll from the AFL-CIO, and more than half of U.S. workers -- nearly 60 million -- say they would join a union right now if they could. Senator Domenici will be called on to stand with middle class New Mexican workers and vote for the publicly supported legislation to restore their freedom to choose a union voice.
April 16, 2007 at 01:42 AM in Economy, Populism, Healthcare, Labor | Permalink
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Thursday, March 22, 2007
See First Presidential Forum on Health Care
From the Center for American Progress Action Fund:
Wouldn't you like to see Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, Barack Obama, and Bill Richardson discussing the nation's most important domestic issue? You can. Join the Center for American Progress Action Fund and SEIU this Saturday, March 24th, at 10:15 AM MST for the nation's first Presidential forum on health care, live at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
During the event, you'll be able to:
The Center for American Progress Action Fund is working to ensure that every American has affordable health care coverage, and we need national leadership on this issue. This forum will be the first opportunity to hear ideas from our presidential candidates on the same stage. We hope you'll join us.
Receive an email reminder.
Thanks,
Winnie Stachelberg
Senior Vice President for External Affairs
Center for American Progress Action Fund
March 22, 2007 at 09:04 AM in 2008 Presidential Primary, Healthcare | Permalink
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Resusitated Medical Marijuana Bill Passes House with Help of Gov. Richardson!
UPDATE 3.15.07: The Senate quickly approved a House floor amendent yesterday. The House floor amendment states that medical marijuana could not be distributed within 300 feet of any church, school or day-care center. The bill now goes to the Governor.
UPDATE 3.14.07: I've since learned the bill was passed with a minor amendment so it will have to go back to the Senate before heading to the Governor for his signature. It's not anticipated this will cause any real problems. The original medical marijuana bill passed the Senate by a margin of 34-7.
************
This just in from Steve Terrell's Legislative Blog. A medical marijuana bill passed the NM House today by a vote of 36-3, with 29 Democrats and 7 Repubs voting "yes." This means nine Dems voted "no" along with 22 Repubs (unless some didn't vote). The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature. Richardson has said he'll sign it. I hear there may have been some amendments to the bill, but I have no further info on that.
Terrell reports that Santa Fe Reps. Lucky Varela, Jim Trujillo and Peter Wirth voted yes, while House Speaker Ben Lujan voted no.
As my rather irate Friday post reported, another version of the bill, SB 238, failed in the House by a margin of 36-33 after some confusion in the voting process. In that tally, 26 Democrats and 7 Republicans voted to support the bill and 15 Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against it.
On Saturday, a bill that originally allowed only marijuana patches and ointments and known as SB 523, was revived and a substitute crafted to mimic the bill that failed in the House. This is the version that was then passed by the Senate and sent to the House, and which gained passage today. Whew. These things get complicated during the waning days of a legislative session.
Anyway, on this last vote, three more Dems voted for passage, but I don't yet know who they were. Whoever they are, I think they should be commended to changing their minds and voting for compassion in the treatment of seriously ill or dying New Mexicans who will now be able to have an additional choice for pain and nausea relief. So should the Governor, who reportedly was doing all he could to persuade a revival of a bill to permit medical marijuana.
Hats off to Governor Richardson and the three as yet unnamed Dems who changed their votes, as well as all the other Reps and Senators who voted for a common sense policy and against scare tactic spin! I know the bill will mean a lot to suffering New Mexicans and anyone who believes in patients and their doctors being empowered to make important decisions about their care.
As Terrell reports in an earlier Santa Fe New Mexican article,
For the past seven years, drug-law reform advocates have been trying to get the Legislature to adopt a medical marijuana program. The Senate has passed such bills several times, only to see the legislation die in the House.
In 1978, the Legislature passed a medical marijuana research project at the urging of Lynn Pierson, a cancer patient who died before the bill went into effect. That bill had a "sunset clause," which means it expired several years ago.
This progressive legislation has been a long time coming. Congratulations to all those who helped make it a reality.
March 13, 2007 at 09:21 PM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Friday, March 09, 2007
NM Medical Marijuana Bill Narrowly Defeated in House
In yet another legislative defeat of a compassionate, fair-minded, common sense bill, the NM House yesterday narrowly defeated Senate Bill 238, a measure already passed by the Senate 34-7, which would have allowed seriously ill and dying people access to the relief that can be provided by medical marijuana. The final tally was 33 for and 36 against, with 7 Republicans and 26 Democrats voting in support of the bill and 21 Republicans and 15 Democrats voting against it. Yes, believe it or not, it was Democrats once more who defeated legislation representing traditional, core, Democratic values.
Votes like this always make me wonder how different our state would be if unlimited campaign contributions and "gifts" were regulated using ethical priniciples. Trying to overcome the advantage of special interest lobbyists for the pharmaceutical industry and "law enforcement community" is always difficult, especially in a poor state like this one. People's pain and suffering be damned -- we're gonna follow the advice of those with axes to grind and turf to protect. Or maybe people are protecting illegal marijuana merchants, who knows? Something is causing people to take illogical positions on what should be a clear-cut issue of compassion.
A Santa Fe New Mexican article reports:
Opponents disputed that marijuana was an effective medicine. "Medically it just really has no value. For us to approve a drug like this tells our children and tells the rest of the people in this state that we, somehow as leaders, give tacit approval to the use of this drug," said Rep. John Heaton, D-Carlsbad and a pharmacist. "That is absolutely wrong for us to do."
He described marijuana as "the No. 1 gateway drug to abusing other drugs in our society."
It always amazes me when pharmacists make pronouncements as if they are credentialed medical and drug abuse researchers, but then again they get so many nice notepads, pens and who knows what else from pharmaceutical company reps that they get confused about their role in medicine. I wonder if Rep. Heaton realizes that alcohol is actually the number one gateway drug, or that the highest growth rates in addictions these days come from illegal use of already available prescription drugs. Of course I wouldn't doubt that Heaton is among the wrong-headed puritans who want to keep adequate supplies of much needed prescription painkillers out of the hands of sufferers because some kid might get a hold of some and get high. Such are the medieval attitudes of many in the fight against pain relief being provided by anything that could be abused anywhere on the planet at some point in time. Let's punish the law abiding citizens because lawbreakers, as always, are part of the human population.
The proposal would have allowed the use of marijuana for pain or other symptoms of debilitating illnesses such as cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, HIV-AIDS and certain spinal-cord injuries.
No, we can't have that. Instead, people suffering from such serious maladies will have to content themselves with "legal" substances that don't work as well. Or, of course, they can grow their own or have a friend purchase an "illegal" supply of marijuana, found anywhere in America as easily as one can locate a junk food outlet. The main thing is that people like Heaton can portray themselves as "tough on crime" and "tough on drugs," thus providing them with a couple useful campaign slogans that always seem to go over well in an era of soundbites and knee jerks.
To their credit, 7 Republicans voted for the bill, proving themselves more enlightened and informed that 15 members of the Democratic Party. You remember the Democratic Party, don't you? At one time it was known for its dedication to forward thinking, just and open-minded legislating. Now, however, the Dem Speaker of the House, Ben Lujan, voted to kill the bill while House Republican Whip, Dan Foley of Roswell, voted for the bill, saying:
"If it offers one person ... the pain relief or the help they need, who are we in this body to say no?"
And Patty Jennings, the spouse of Sen. Tim Jennings (D-Roswell), had this to say:
"This is a matter of compassion. It's a very personal matter." She is battling cancer and taking morphine, which she said is much more powerful and dangerous than marijuana would be. "People who are not there don't always understand that we're asking ... to have all the options available to us."
According to MedicalMarijuanaProCon.org, 11 states have enacted laws that legalized medical marijuana, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. In polling in the U.S., about 70-80 percent typically support the legalization of medical marijuana. I guess someone should tell our "representatives."
Here's a partial vote tally from today's Albuquerque Journal although, for some reason, they don't have it online:
Republicans Voting YES on Medical Marijuana Bill
Dan Foley, Roswell
Justine Fox-Young, Albuquerque
Keith Gardner, Roswell
Kathy McCoy, Cedar Crest
Brian Moore, Clayton
W. D. "Dub" Williams, Glencoe
Eric Youngberg, Corrales
Democrats Voting NO on Medical Marijuana Bill
Andrew Barreras, Tome
Ernest Chavez, Albuquerque
Mary Helen Garcia, Las Cruces
Thomas Garcia, Las Cruces
John Heaton, Carlsbad
Manuel Herrera, Bayard
Dona Irwin, Deming
Rhonda King, Stanley
Ben Lujan, Santa Fe
Patricia Lundstrom, Gallup
James Roger Madalena, Jemez Pueblo
Andy Nunez, Hatch
Debbie Rodella, Ohkay Owingeh
Nick Salazar, Ohkay Owingeh
Richard Vigil, Ribera
Democrats Not Voting
George Hanosh, Grants
March 9, 2007 at 01:03 PM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Tuesday, February 27, 2007
(Updated) ALERT: Health Security Act Hearings in Both Senate and House
From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
We have a busy week ahead of us! The Health Security Act will be heard in committee in both the Senate and the House this week, after some delays this past weekend.
House Bill 1222 Scheduled for Thursday!
House Bill 1222 (the House bill for the Health Security Act) is scheduled to be heard in the House Health and Government Affairs Committee this Thursday, March 1. The committee will meet at 8:00 AM in Room 309 at the State Capitol. Please come if you can!
CANCELLED: Senate Bill 720 Scheduled for Wednesday!
Sente Bill 720 (the Senate bill for the Health Security Act) is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee this Wednesday, February 28.
We need a large turnout at this hearing! We know it's hard to fit a trip to the Capitol into a busy schedule, especially when the Senate is late getting off the floor and delays the committees. However, a big show of support is absolutely vital. So if there's any way you can, please make plans to come to Wednesday's hearing on the Health Security Act.
The Senate Finance Committee meets in Room 322 at the State Capitol. The committee will meet Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 PM or half an hour after the floor session ends. Because the floor session often runs late, please don't hesitate to call the Senate Finance Committee secretary at 986-4365 to find out if the Senate is still on the floor and when the committee will start meeting.
Keep Up the Calls to Finance Committee Senators!
Senate Finance Committee Members
- Sen. Timothy Z. Jennings, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 32 (Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero counties): 986-4362
- Sen. John Arthur Smith, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 35 (Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra counties): 986-4363
- Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 6 (Taos): 986-4863
- Sen. Joseph J. Carraro (R) – Senate District 23 (Bernalillo and Sandoval counties): 986-4387
- Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R) – Senate District 19 (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4395
- Sen. Pete Campos (D) – Senate District 8 (Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Torrance counties): 986-4311
- Sen. Carroll H. Leavell (R) – Senate District 41 (Eddy and Lea counties): 986-4278
- Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson (R) – Senate District 37 (Doña Ana and Sierra counties): 986-4703
- Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D) – Senate District 24 (Santa Fe): 986-4264
- Sen. Bernadette Sanchez (D) – Senate District 26 (Albuquerque): 986-4267
Now Is the Time to Call Health and Government Affairs Representatives!
We have until Thursday morning to influence House Health and Government Affairs Committee members. Keep the calls coming!
House Health and Government Affairs Committee Members
- Rep. Mimi Stewart, Chair (D) – House District 21 (Albuquerque): 986-4840
- Rep. Nick L. Salazar, Vice Chair (D) – House District 40 (Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties): 986-4433
- Rep. Paul C. Bandy (R) – House District 3 (San Juan County): 986-4214
- Rep. Justine Fox-Young (R) – House District 30 (Albuquerque): 986-4450
- Rep. John A. Heaton (D) – House District 55 (Eddy County): 986-4432
- Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D) – House District 37 (Doña Ana County): 986-4248
- Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela (D) – House District 48 (Santa Fe): 986-4318
- Rep. Jeannette O. Wallace (R) – House District 43 (Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4452
Calls to the Governor
Some of you have been asking for the governor's telephone number. Governor Richardson can be reached at 827-3000, and it's not too late to call him and urge him to support the Health Security Act!
If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.
To Find Your Legislator
- Go to the legislature’s website: www.legis.state.nm.us
- Click on “Find Your Legislator”
- Choose “Senate” or "House" and 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.
If your representative is on the Health and Government Affairs Committee (see list above), please call and ask him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.
If you have relatives or friends in any of these representatives’ districts, please ask them to call their representative to urge him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.
These phone calls are key to passage of House Bill 1222! Thank you for calling!
If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to call your senator if he or she is on the Senate Finance Committee (see list above). Identify yourself as a constituent and ask your senator to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act.
If you know people in any of these senators’ districts, please ask them to call their senator to urge him or her to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act.
Constituents' phone calls really do influence our senators. Please call and encourage others to call today! Thank you for all the calls that have already been made!
February 27, 2007 at 03:09 PM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Saturday, February 24, 2007
NM Senate Finance to Hear Health Security Act Sunday
Editor's Note: The Health Security Act will be heard in Santa Fe on Sunday, the same day the NM impeachment resolution is scheduled to be heard. If you're up there for that, try to stop in at this hearing as well. And either way, please contact the legislators noted below.
From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Come to the Hearing This Sunday! The hearing on Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act) in the Senate Finance Committee is still scheduled for Sunday, February 25. The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearing bills on Sunday at 1:30 PM in Room 322 at the State Capitol.
Please come to the hearing! We really need you there! It's absolutely critical for the Senate Finance Committee to see how much public support the Health Security Act has.
It's Not Too Late to Call Finance Committee Senators!
If your senator is on the Senate Finance Committee (see list below), please call and ask him or her to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act.
If you have friends or relatives in any of these senators’ districts, please ask them to call their senator to urge him or her to support Senate Bill 720, the Health Security Act. These phone calls will have a big impact on what happens in the Senate Finance Committee on Sunday!
Senate Finance Committee Members
- Sen. Timothy Z. Jennings, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 32 (Chaves, Eddy, Lincoln, and Otero counties): 986-4362
- Sen. John Arthur Smith, Co-Chair (D) – Senate District 35 (Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra counties): 986-4363
- Sen. Carlos R. Cisneros, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 6 (Taos): 986-4863
- Sen. Joseph J. Carraro (R) – Senate District 23 (Bernalillo and Sandoval counties): 986-4387
- Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort (R) – Senate District 19 (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4395
- Sen. Pete Campos (D) – Senate District 8 (Guadalupe, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Torrance counties): 986-4311
- Sen. Carroll H. Leavell (R) – Senate District 41 (Eddy and Lea counties): 986-4278
- Sen. Leonard Lee Rawson (R) – Senate District 37 (Doña Ana and Sierra counties): 986-4703
- Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D) – Senate District 24 (Santa Fe): 986-4264
- Sen. Bernadette Sanchez (D) – Senate District 26 (Albuquerque): 986-4267
Keep Up the Calls to Representatives, Too!
It still looks as though House Bill 1222 (the Health Security Act) will be heard in the House Health and Government Affairs Committee this coming week, possibly as early as Tuesday, February 27. We'll keep you updated on the hearing schedule, but in the meantime, we need you to call Health and Government Affairs Committee members.
If your representative is on the Health and Government Affairs Committee (see list below), please call and ask him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.
If you know anyone at all in any of these representatives’ districts, please ask them to call their representative to urge him or her to support House Bill 1222, the Health Security Act.
These phone calls are key to passage of House Bill 1222!
House Health and Government Affairs Committee Members
- Rep. Mimi Stewart, Chair (D) – House District 21 (Albuquerque): 986-4840
- Rep. Nick L. Salazar, Vice Chair (D) – House District 40 (Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos counties): 986-4433
- Rep. Paul C. Bandy (R) – House District 3 (San Juan County): 986-4214
- Rep. Justine Fox-Young (R) – House District 30 (Albuquerque): 986-4450
- Rep. John A. Heaton (D) – House District 55 (Eddy County): 986-4432
- Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D) – House District 37 (Doña Ana County): 986-4248
- Rep. Luciano "Lucky" Varela (D) – House District 48 (Santa Fe): 986-4318
- Rep. Jeannette O. Wallace (R) – House District 43 (Los Alamos, Sandoval, and Santa Fe counties): 986-4452
Not Sure Who Your State Senator or Representative Is? Here’s how to find out:
- Go to the legislature’s website: www.legis.state.nm.us
- Click on “Find Your Legislator”
- Choose “Senate” or "House" and 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.
If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.
February 24, 2007 at 11:42 AM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Bill to Allow PRC Appeals of Managed Healthcare Decisions Unanimously Passes NM House
From the NM House Democratic Leadership:
Santa Fe, NM – A consumer would be able to appeal to the Public Regulations Commission (PRC) regarding managed healthcare decisions made by the superintendent of insurance under a bill sponsored by Rep. Rhonda S. King (D-Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Torrance). House Bill 589 unanimously passed the House today with a vote of 67-0. The bill provides consumers with an additional level of appeal before having to go to court. The bill is supported by the PRC and the superintendent of insurance.
Rep. King said, “This provides the consumer with another venue of appeal before going through what can turn out to be a costly court process.”
House Bill 589 would amend the insurance code to provide the PRC with additional authority over Insurance Division matters. The PRC would review all of the orders of the superintendent of insurance and provide the consumer the right to appeal; the PRC would review all of the managed health care decisions made by the external grievance appeals panel and would provide the consumer the right to appeal; and the PRC would have to approve all of the appointments made by the superintendent of insurance to boards, commissions, or groups.
PRC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan said, “This is a consumer-friendly bill. It provides consumers with another option to address their concerns or complaints before having to go to court.”
Editor's Note: This bill previously was passed by the House Business and Industry, Health and Government Affairs and Judiciary Committees. It now moves to the Senate. You can find contact information for your State Senator here.
February 24, 2007 at 09:25 AM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Act Now to Stop Delay in NM Universal Health Coverage
From the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign:
Hearing on Senate Bill 721 Moved to Thursday! Senate Bill 721, the companion bill to Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act), has been scheduled for a hearing tomorrow, Thursday, February 15, in the Senate Public Affairs Committee.
Senate Bill 721 (Health Security Act Financing Options) is the appropriations bill for the first year of the Health Security Act and will finance a cost analysis of the Health Security Plan. This financial study is the first step in implementing the Health Security Plan. It also enables the legislature to get an important second opinion once the results of the Governor's task force study are made public in June.
Powers That Be Trying to Kill Health Security Act? Last night in the Senate Public Affairs Committee, Senate Bill 721 was originally scheduled to be automatically moved on to the Senate Finance Committee along with other bills that contained funding. Senator Cisneros, the bill's sponsor, had been told that it was not necessary for him to be there, so he was not present when Senator Papen made the request that the bill be pulled from the others because she had questions.
Our Executive Director was asked to answer Senator Papen's questions. Then testimony in opposition was presented by Secretary of Human Services Pam Hyde (who maintained that she is neither for or against the Health Security Act), the Lovelace lobbyist, the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and a few others, all of whom made the argument that the legislators should wait for the results of the Governor's task force study, which includes analysis of the Health Security Plan.
Because the sponsor was not there, the committee agreed to hold the hearing on Thursday, when he could be present.
The opposition will continue to push the "wait for the results of the study" argument in order to kill the Health Security Act.
We need to continue to put pressure on our legislators to let them know that there is strong public support to pass the Health Security Act now.
Where and When: The Senate Public Affairs Committee will begin hearing bills on Thursday afternoon after the Senate floor session ends. The Public Affairs Committee usually meets in Room 321 in the State Capitol. Check with Senator Feldman’s office (986-4482, Room 303) for the committee agenda and hearing room number. Please come to the hearing! Your presence is very important. The committee needs to see public support for this bill!
Time to Call Public Affairs Committee Senators!
No matter who your senator is, please call Dede Feldman (986-4482), the chair of the Public Affairs Committee, and urge her to support Senate Bill 721, Health Security Act Financing Options. If your senator is on the Public Affairs Committee (see list below), please call today and ask him or her to support Senate Bill 721, Health Security Act Financing Options. If you have friends or relatives in any of these senators’ districts, please ask them to call their senator today to urge him or her to support Senate Bill 721, Health Security Act Financing Options. These phone calls are critical to ensuring passage of Senate Bill 721 in the Senate Public Affairs Committee on Thursday. Please call today!
Senate Public Affairs Committee Members
Sen. Dede Feldman, Chair (D) – Senate District 13 (Albuquerque): 986-4482
Sen. Mary Jane M. Garcia, Vice Chair (D) – Senate District 36 (Las Cruces): 986-4726
Sen. Steve Komadina, Ranking Member (R) – Senate District 9 (Corrales, Rio Rancho): 986-4377
Sen. Stuart Ingle (R) – Senate District 27 (Portales): 986-4702
Sen. Gay G. Kernan (R) – Senate District 42 (Hobbs): 986-4274
Sen. Steven P. Neville (R) – Senate District 2 (San Juan County): 986-4266
Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D) – Senate District 12 (Albuquerque): 986-4380
Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D) – Senate District 388 (Las Cruces): 986-4270
Sen. David Ulibarri (D) – Senate District 30 (Cibola County): 986-4265
Update on Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act)
Senate Bill 720 (the Health Security Act), which was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday, has not yet been scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee. We will let you know when we have more information! If you have any questions, contact Josette at 771-8763 or jhaddad@cableone.net.
February 14, 2007 at 11:45 AM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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Call House Agriculture Committee This Week on Medical Marijuana Bill
From the Drug Policy Alliance Network:
Our medical marijuana bill needs your help! Your calls this week are crucial to advancing the legislation as it faces its ultimate challenge: House approval. Last year the bill was tabled by the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee after an intense hearing -- and now it is before that committee again. The delays caused by this committee referral last year ultimately killed the 2006 bill. We can't let that happen again!
You can help by calling the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee and encouraging the members to support SB 238 (the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act) in committee.
Committee members act on behalf of all of us when they vote on bills in committee, so everyone can call each member listed below - regardless of whose district you live in. However, if you live in one of the districts below, please be sure to let the office know that when you call.
House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee:
Representative Andy Nuñez, Chair
District 36, (505) 986-4423
Representative Ray Begaye, Vice Chair
District 4, (505) 986-4436
Representative Joseph Cervantes, Member
District 52, (505) 986-4249
Representative Jimmie C. Hall, Member
District 28, (505) 986-4215
Representative Dona G. Irwin, Member
District 32, (505) 986-4249
Representative Larry A. Larranaga, Member
District 27, (505) 986-4215
Representative Don L. Tripp, Member
District 49, (505) 986-4220
Thanks for your help,
Reena Szczepanski, Drug Policy Alliance Network
www.improveNewMexico.org
Editor's Note: For talking points and other information, see our previous post.
February 14, 2007 at 10:57 AM in Healthcare, NM Legislature 2007 | Permalink
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