Where Things Stand: The Bill & the Funding — Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign

Health Security Status: The Bill & the Funding

THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS: The Health Security Planning & Design Board Act (HB 203) has still not been heard in the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.

As the session rushes toward its March 20 finish line, passage of HB 203 becomes less likely, although still not impossible. Passage would require getting out of House Appropriations & Finance, passing the House floor, passing assigned committees (probably two) on the Senate side, passing the Senate floor, and then being signed into law by the governor.

THE REALLY GOOD NEWS: We have funding for the Health Security planning and design phase—and that funding is NOT contingent on passage of HB 203.

The $600,000 appropriation in HB 203 was not included in the main state budget bill. When HB 203 sponsors and other supporting legislators realized that, they contributed some of the funds allotted to them toward the development of the Health Security Plan. (Each representative was allotted $175,000 to go to the programs or agencies they chose; each senator was allotted $297,000.)

The House Appropriations & Finance Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are putting together a junior budget bill with all the legislators’ allocations. This bill should easily pass both houses. HB 203 sponsor Rep. Debbie Armstrong has assured us that enough money has been contributed by legislators to fund the planning and design process.

WHAT THIS MEANS: Regardless of the ultimate fate of HB 203, the planning and design of the Health Security Plan should proceed this year!

If HB 203 passes, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance will oversee an 11-member board of experts (appointed partly by the governor and partly by the legislature) to design the details of the Health Security Plan.

If HB 203 does not pass, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance will oversee the planning and design process. The superintendent has a public health background, and key agency staff are familiar with the Health Security Plan's provisions.