SB 224 HEALTH CARE CONSOLIDATION OVERSIGHT

Sen Katy Duhigg

Actions: [4] SCC/SHPAC/SFC-SCC-germane-SHPAC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 Senate Bill 224 (SB 224) appropriates one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for implementation of the Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act. 
 

 Senate Bill 224 (SB 224) appropriates one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) from the General Fund (GF) to the superintendent of insurance for expenditure in Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 and 2025 to implement the provisions of the Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act, including personnel, contracts and other expenses, contingent on legislation, currently in the form of Senate Bill 15, be enacted this session.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2025 reverts to the GF.
 

 Effective July 1, 2024, the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) will officially take on the role of a new executive department, orchestrating the integration of the Human Services Department (HSD), the Employee Benefits Bureau from the General Services Department, and the Division of Health Improvement and Developmental Disabilities Supports Division from the Department of Health. This strategic consolidation into the HCA works to establish a single department responsible for health care purchasing, regulation, oversight and policy. Such consolidations under a single department have the potential to leverage better prices (2019 National Academy of State Health Policy report). According to the HSD announcement of the HCA, the consolidation will enhance healthcare accessibility and address disparities in the state’s healthcare landscape. Its goals also include expanding access to care in rural communities; building a robust behavioral health system; and administering income and child support programs to combat poverty and food insecurity. 
https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/2023/11/01/governor-lujan-grisham-unveils-new-mexico-health-care-authority-transition-plan-for-a-healthier-state/
https://nmpoliticalreport.com/nmleg/house-committee-approves-bill-to-create-unified-health-care-authority/.