| Now more than ever, every New Mexican should have access to healthcare. The House Health and Human Services Committee passed HB 122 and HB 13 last week! On Wednesday the Legislature will consider these two bills in separate hearings. These bills would help New Mexicans access healthcare and pay for COVID-19 services. We need your help to provide public comment in support of these bills! HB 122 – Healthcare Affordability Fund At 8:30 am, the House Taxation and Revenue Committee will hear HB 122, which would raise over $110 million to reduce healthcare costs and expand healthcare coverage for New Mexicans!This bill would reduce the costs of health insurance and medical expenses for tens of thousands of New Mexicans. The bill would invest in healthcare affordability initiatives that reduce the costs for health insurance plans on the Exchange, and for uninsured New Mexicans who don’t have access to healthcare coverage. HB 13 – Emergency Medicaid for COVID-19 Services Also at 8:30 am, the House State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee will hear HB 13, a bill to provide emergency Medicaid coverage for COVID testing and treatment to thousands of immigrants in New Mexico—including many frontline and essential workers. EMSA, the emergency Medicaid program, provides coverage for emergency medical care for immigrants who would not regularly qualify for Medicaid due to their immigration status—even if they are authorized to work in the US. However, the New Mexico Human Services Department’s current EMSA rules do not cover COVID treatment outside of the emergency room or ICU. HB 13 further simplifies the EMSA application process and allows patients to qualify for EMSA before an emergency arises. |
| Tips for public comment Keep your remarks brief and to the point.HB 122 – If you have a personal story about not being able to afford health insurance or being uninsured and unable to access coverage, please share it.HB 13 – If you have a personal story showing why Emergency Medicaid should cover COVID-19 services, please share it.When you login to Zoom, please label your name so the moderator can find you easily.Make sure you are not muted when you start speaking.Do not rely on your computer for notes. If you can, write them down or print them in case your computer screen freezes.Close other tabs and windows in your browser to make sure your connection is good.If your connection or microphone doesn’t work, be prepared to call in with the information below. |
| HB 122 Instructions – House Taxation and Revenue Committee When: 8:30 am, Wednesday, February 10 How to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84898317503Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13462487799,,84898317503# or +16699009128,,84898317503#Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592Webinar ID: 848 9831 7503 What to expect during the hearing: The committee will be taking comments from the public. The Chair of the Committee (most likely Vice Chair Christine Chandler) will announce the bill and ask who supports HB 122. At that time, if you want to provide a comment, you’ll need to use the reaction button on Zoom and raise your hand. HB 122 summary: https://nmtogether4health.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HealthAffordabilityFundHB122.pdf House Bill 122 would raise revenue to reduce healthcare costs by setting up a Health Care Affordability Fund that reduces health care costs for individuals who buy plans on the Exchange. The fund would also be used to expand healthcare coverage for low-income New Mexicans who are uninsured and don’t have access to healthcare coverage now. |
| HB 13 Instructions – House State Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee When: 8:30 am, Wednesday, February 10 How to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89283197941Or iPhone one-tap : US: +16699009128,,89283197941# or +12532158782,,89283197941#Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799Webinar ID: 892 8319 7941 What to expect during the hearing: The committee will be taking comments from the public. The Chair of the Committee (Chair Georgene Louis) will announce the bill and ask who supports HB 13. At that time, if you want to provide a comment, you’ll need to use the reaction button on Zoom and raise your hand. HB 13 summary: https://nmtogether4health.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Factsheet-HB13-EMSA-2021-01-29.pdf House Bill 13 would expand NM’s Emergency Medicaid program to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment services to thousands of immigrants in New Mexico. |
