| On Wednesday the Legislature will consider two bills in separate hearings that would help New Mexicans with healthcare costs. We need your help to provide public comment in support of these bills! HB 122 – Healthcare Affordability Fund At 8:30 am, the House Health and Human Services 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. SB 71 – Patient Debt Collection Protection Act At 1:30 pm, the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee will hear SB 71, which would provide relief from medical debt for New Mexico families. Medical debt is out of control in New Mexico. People are routinely sent to collections or sued by hospitals over unaffordable medical bills. This legislation would stop collections against low-income patients, stop hospitals from overcharging uninsured patients, and help families get connected with healthcare coverage that can pay for their care. Information on how to join the meeting and tips on what you might say are below. |
| Instructions for HB 122 – House Health and Human Services Committee When: 8:30 am, Wednesday, February 3 How to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89853256841 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13462487799,,89853256841# or +16699009128,,89853256841# 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 8592 Webinar ID: 898 5325 6841 What to expect during the hearing: The committee will be taking comments from the public. The Chair of the Committee (Chair Debbie Armstrong) will announce the bill and ask who supports HB 122. At that time, if you want to provide a comment, 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. |
| Instructions for SB 71 – Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee When: 1:30 pm, Wednesday, February 3 How to join: The Senate’s process is different from the House’s. By 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, please send an email to SPAC@nmlegis.gov with your name, email address, entity representing (if any), bill number, and state if you are For or Against the bill.You will be contacted by the committee’s Zoom operator who will give you instructions on how to access the public comment portion by Zoom. What to expect during the hearing: The committee will be taking public comment. The chair of the committee (Chair Jerry Ortiz y Pino) will announce the bill and ask who supports SB 71. At that time, to provide a comment use the Zoom reaction button and raise your hand. The Chair will call your name and unmute your zoom when it is your turn to speak. SB 71 summary: https://nmtogether4health.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SB71DebtCollection.pdf Senate Bill 71 protects patients from crippling medical debt by:Stopping hospitals from sending low-income patients to collections or suing them.Requiring hospitals to check if patients have insurance or qualify for private or public insurance, before sending a bill to the patient.Stopping hospitals from overcharging uninsured patients. |
| Tips for public comment Keep your remarks brief and to the point. SB 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. SB 71 – If you have a personal story about getting sent to collections, being sued over medical debt, or being unable to pay for large medical bills, please share it. When you login to Zoom, please rename yourself with your full name so the moderator can find you easily. Close the Legislature’s webcast page when you give your comment, so there is not an echo during your remarks. Make sure you are not muted when you start speaking. Do not rely on your computer or phone for notes. Write them down or print them, just 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 don’t work, be prepared to call in with the information below. |
