We must ensure that immigrants have the coverage they need to get tested and treated for COVID 19.
It’s time for the New Mexico Legislature to expand the Emergency Medicaid program to cover testing and treatment for all New Mexicans who are uninsured. With your support, we can make this happen!
On Monday at 8:30 am, the House Health and Human Services 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
We need your help to provide public comment at the hearing in support of HB 13!
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 Health and 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.
Information on how to join the meeting and tips on what you might say are below.
Thank you for your support!
Adriann Barboa
Forward Together New Mexico Policy Director
Hearing information and tips
When: 8:30 am, Monday, February 1
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 HB13. At that time, if you want to provide a comment, you’ll need to use the reaction button on Zoom, and raise your hand.
Summary of the bill
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.
Tips for public comment
- Keep your remarks brief and to the point. 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, 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 above.
