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HANM Legislative Agenda - Bills are introduced

Good Morning!

Health Action New Mexico's legislative priorities include 5 bills designed to improve our health care system in New Mexico. Several of them have dropped since Tuesday when the session started:

HB267 the Health Care Authority Act which takes an immediate first step towards long term, sustainable solutions to improve our health care system in New Mexico. The bill is designed to go beyond developing financing strategies and create a health care system in New Mexico that is accessible, low-cost, and high quality. HB267 was introduced yesterday by Rep. Mimi Stewart.

SB99 the Health Care Gift Disclosure Act which requires health care supply companies to disclose any gifts over $25 that are used to market their products. The Office of the Attorney General would be responsible for developing the mechanism to collect the information and could charge a filing fee to support their administrative costs. This bill is designed to limit undisclosed financial relationships between suppliers and providers which can undermine quality and increase cost. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Dede Feldman.

SJM6 requests the creation of a UNM Prescription Drug Task Force at the UNM Health Sciences Center to examine the feasibility of creating an academic detailing or provider education program. Clinically trained individuals would visit with providers face-to-face to provide objective, evidence-based information on prescription drugs. The program is designed to balance the information that is currently provided by pharmaceutical sales reps and promote the clinically sound use of prescription drugs. The Joint Memorial is sponsored by Sen. Dede Feldman.

HB130 the Medicaid and Child Health Insurance Act requires the Human Services Department to to make monthly reports public to assess the enrollment and retention of individuals who are eligible for Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The bill would also require HSD to store data related to enrollment denial or termination. The bill is designed to ensure better oversight of this important public program and is sponsored by Rep. Mimi Stewart.

We also have proposed legislation designed to improve accountability and transparency for publicly funded health care coverage programs . The legislation will require the Human Services Department to make public the data they are currently providing to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is information that other states provide on their websites. Access to this information allows for better policy decisions and more effective allocation of limited resources. As soon as this bill is available, I will get it out to you.

I know some of you do not wish to receive frequent legislative updates. Please check out our Health Action New Mexico Website for daily alerts and legislative updates:

www.healthactionnm.org
Roxane Spruce Bly
Health Action New Mexico
505-206-8575 cell
505-867-1095 office
[ email ]