Health & Human Services Committee Votes to Pass HB 203
The Health Security Planning & Design Board Act (HB 203) was considered yesterday morning in the House Health & Human Services Committee. While the bill was second on the agenda, it was heard first—spurring an emergency email alert from us shortly after the meeting began!
After wonderful public testimony and a lively discussion by committee members, the bill passed by a vote of 8 to 2.
Voted For HB 203
Rep. Deborah A. Armstrong
Rep. Phelps Anderson
Rep. Brittney Barreras
Rep. Karen Bash
Rep. Joanne J. Ferrary
Rep. Marian Matthews
Rep. Roger Montoya
Rep. Liz Thomson
Voted Against HB 203
Rep. Stefani Lord
Rep. Luis Terrazas
Absent (Excused)
Rep. Gail Armstrong
As the main sponsor of the bill, Rep. Debbie Armstrong introduced HB 203 in the committee. A poll was then taken of the 80 people on the Zoom meeting—86% supported the bill!
When those in opposition began speaking, it became clear who the remaining 14% were: the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce and insurance industry lobbyists.
The testimony in support of HB 203—your testimony—was amazing! Thoughtful, convincing, and heartfelt . . . and all impressively delivered in one-minute segments. Speakers ranged from nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and mental health professionals to farmers and small business owners, from everyday citizens to diverse organizations.
New Mexicans from Gallup to Silver City to Las Cruces to Las Vegas raised their (virtual) hands to talk. We heard moving personal stories about how the Health Security Plan would help, and economic, social, and practical arguments for why HB 203 is the right path to take. New Mexico Voices for Children, AARP, the Bernalillo County Community Health Council, and the American Association of University Women were just a few of the organizations that testified in support.
To those of you who joined the Zoom meeting yesterday, thank you! If you weren't able to be there, a recording is available on the legislative website.
What Happens Next?
Now that HB 203 has passed its first committee, the bill's passage needs to be reported to the full House of Representatives. This will happen later today, during what's known as a floor session. To find out more about how a bill moves through the legislature, check out our legislative flyer.
HB 203 will then move on to its final House committee, Appropriations & Finance.
The Appropriations & Finance Committee is currently busy with the state's budget bill, HB 2. We'll let you know as soon as the Health Security bill is scheduled to be heard.
In the meantime, take a look at the 19 members of the House Appropriations & Finance Committee and see if your representative is among them. (If you're not sure who your representative is, you can find out here.) We'll need lots of calls before the hearing!