Category: Healthcare

Yesterday, Governor Bill Richardson signed what he called "two very important pieces of health care reform legislation that have been part of his comprehensive health reform package over the past few years." The legislation will result in more services for dollars spent on health care and end to gender discrimination for coverage.

“I am pleased that after all of the years of hard work from my administration, advocates, and all of the others who have played a part in health insurance reform in New Mexico, to be able to sign these two very important pieces of legislation that will both improve our state’s health care system,” Governor Richardson said in a written statement.

HB 12 – Health Insurer Service Reimbursement
House Bill 12, sponsored by Rep. John Heaton, will help track health care dollars and make sure that insurance companies spend more on direct services. It requires single group providers, those that cover the majority of New Mexicans, to spend at least 85% on direct services rather than on administration or profit over a three year period.

New Mexico lawmakers who haven't been in the secretive "leadership" scrum working on a budget "compromise" have been just as much in the dark as we have about what's going on behind closed doors. But now word is being leaked that the "deal" executed by Dem "leaders" in the NM House and Senate is just more of the same -- a refusal to do what most rank and file Dems support. It's another bow to the right wing.