HM 36 requests public hearing, report from Human Services Department
New Mexico Together for Healthcare, a multiracial campaign of families and community organizations working together to strengthen healthcare access for all of New Mexico’s children and families, on Friday hailed the New Mexico House of Representatives’ passage of HM 36 in the final hours of the legislative session.
HM 36, sponsored by Rep. Roger Montoya, asks the Legislature to hold a hearing on uninsured patients’ hospital charges and how much public money hospitals receive to care for low-income, uninsured patients. The memorial also asks the Human Services Department (HSD) to report to the Legislature how hospitals are using public funds that should be used for the care of low-income, uninsured patients.
Hospitals receive a significant amount of public funding for the more than 200,000 uninsured patients in New Mexico, but many hospitals still charge uninsured patients their highest prices—several times over the actual cost of services and what insurance companies pay for those services.
“Shining a light on the unfair practices that leave uninsured New Mexicans with outrageous hospital bills will go a long way to helping fix the problem and providing quality healthcare to everyone,” said Nicolas Cordova, an attorney with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. “HM 36 allows for stakeholders to convene, discuss the issue, and provide key data and information—all of which is critical to making changes and improving healthcare delivery in New Mexico.”
As a memorial, HM 36 does not require action by the governor. It goes into effect immediately upon passage. NMT4HC looks forward to working with legislators and the staff at HSD to implement HM 36 and expand healthcare access.
