2021 has FINALLY arrived—so let's make good things happen!
The legislative session begins in mid-January, and that means the next few weeks are a perfect time to contact your legislators about the 2021 Health Security Planning and Design bill,* which begins the important process of designing the NM Health Security Plan.
We’ve now had three studies on the Health Security Plan. While all these studies are different, they come to the same conclusion: the Health Security Plan will cost less and make sure all New Mexicans have health coverage. Now it’s time to develop the details of the Plan.
The 2021 Health Security Planning and Design bill starts that process. Letting your legislators know of your support for this bill is critical!
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* The 2021 bill is still being drafted. Legislation is written by bill drafters at the Legislative Council Service, following requests from legislators. Once a bill is introduced in the legislature, it also gets a bill number. We will share the bill with you as soon as it’s available!
Action item 1: Send a postcard or letter
Our state legislators are getting tons of email. Using the US Postal Service to contact your legislators will really stand out!
Mail a personal postcard or letter that explains why you support the Health Security Plan and asks your senator and representative to support it too. If you and two or three of your friends in the same legislative district can do this at the same time, it will have an even greater impact.
What do you say in your letter? You don’t have to write a novel. In fact, your legislators will appreciate it a lot if you keep your message short! Personal messages and stories are always more powerful.
For inspiration, check out our short guide to writing to legislators. Our post about the 2021 legislation and our new mental health flyer are other good places to start.
Action item 2: Zoom with your senator or representative
If you are able to get a group of 3 to 9 people together, we will work to set up a Zoom meeting with your legislators so you can talk to them about the need to support this year’s Health Security legislation.
Also, if your legislators are holding public meetings or participating in public forums, please attend and ask them to support the 2021 Health Security Planning and Design legislation. For instance, on January 23, five legislators representing northwestern Bernalillo County and southern Sandoval County are holding a legislative town hall via Facebook Live.
Who are your legislators, anyway?
You have two legislators at the state level: one senator and one representative.
Start by using the legislature’s Find Your Legislator tool to find out what senate and house districts you're in.
Then go to our contact information for legislators to find your legislator's name and mailing address. The legislature’s Find Your Legislator tool was last updated in December 2020, for the special session. That means that legislators who were newly elected in November and will be sworn in on January 19 are not on the website yet.
Reminder: Only contact your own legislators, and make sure to let your legislators know that you live in their district.