Our Work Continues
While we've been keeping abreast of what's been happening at the national level, our work is right here in New Mexico. Exactly what have we been doing since the legislative session ended in March? Take a look below.
Presentations and meetings with groups around the state—newly active groups, religious groups, provider groups, neighborhood groups.
Want to arrange a presentation to your group? Let us know.
Bill workshops in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe
A bill workshop in Santa Fe, hosted by DSA Santa Fe and held at YouthWorks.
At our bill workshops, people learn how to navigate through the Health Security Act to find answers to their questions. These workshops are a chance to really delve into the details that participants want to know about. They also give attendees experience reading and understanding legislative language.
Statewide strategy meeting in Albuquerque
Health Security supporters came from as far away as Española and Taos to the north; Gallup to the west; and Silver City, Hillsboro, Las Cruces, and Roswell to the south for this one-day event. Santa Fe, Placitas, Albuquerque, Corrales, and Belen were also represented!
Participants introduce themselves at the beginning of the statewide meeting.
The statewide meeting started off with inspirational words from Pastor Roger Powers of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, who spoke about the moral imperative of providing health care and the need to pass this legislation.
Next up was an interview of Health Security Act sponsor Rep. Debbie Armstrong, conducted by none other than Max Bartlett, the Campaign’s chair. Debbie shared her insights about the 2017 legislative session.
Sen. Bill Tallman speaks from the legislative panel.
After her interview, Debbie was joined by three other legislators—Rep. Joanne Ferrary and Sens. Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Bill Tallman—for a panel (moderated by Campaign executive director Mary Felblum) that focused on next steps and effective ways to move the Health Security Act forward.
Bill Jordan, of New Mexico Voices for Children, then spelled out the current health care situation, both in the state and nationally.
One of the afternoon breakout groups.
After lunch, breakout groups came up with action priorities for the next year, and those who were newer to the Health Security Plan had a chance to learn more about this paradigm-shifting approach.
Growing Support
Our email list and our membership continue to grow: new member organizations in 2017 include New Mexico Voices for Children, Street Safe New Mexico, and the Northern New Mexico Central Labor Council.
In addition, the New Mexico Medical Society recently passed a resolution to encourage private foundations to fund a financial analysis of the Health Security Plan.
Help Health Security gain even more support by talking to your friends, neighbors (and anyone else you meet!) about this New Mexican solution.