Medicaid Home Visits for Kids & Health Security Act.

(From the book Prairie Experiences in Handling Cattle and Sheep, by Major W. Shepherd, 1884). {PD-USGov-USDA-NAL}.

Roundhouse Lariat

(The Roundhouse Rodeo is a service of The Candle lassoing important committee hearings, floor debates, advocacy meetings, gatherings, and the like.  It is mostly focused at this time of year on matters before the state legislature.)

February 9,2017 – Thursday

Two IMPOTANT Bills are scheduled before the Senate Public Affairs Committee (the hardest working committee in the social justice business), led by Jerry Ortiz y Pino, Chair:

 


Senate Bill 175: Establishes a home visiting program for young children enrolled in Medicaid!

From NM Center on Law and Poverty

Every New Mexico child deserves a good start from birth to live healthy, productive lives. Home visiting programs provide a team of nurses, healthcare workers and child development specialists that help families learn about healthcare, child development, and parenting skills.

  • This bill would help New Mexico greatly expand home visiting services for young children (ages 0-3) that are enrolled in Medicaid.
  • Medicaid financing draws down a 70% federal match – making the most of state dollars to reach more families (NM currently provides home visiting services through CYFD that does not draw down federal match – this bill would maximize some of those dollars by leveraging federal match funding for Medicaid)
  • The bill gives HSD flexibility to work with stakeholders and coordinate with CYFD to determine how to best structure the program, so long as it meets quality and evidence-based standards.
  • Home visiting program are proven to improve health outcomes, improve school readiness, and reduce child abuse and neglect
  • Home visiting programs save significant costs by reducing healthcare and hospitalization costs.
  • Investing in our children is one of the best investments New Mexico can make – alleviating poverty and giving our kids a strong, healthy start.

Thursday, February 9, 2017 –

Senate Public Affairs Committee, Room 321.

The committee starts at 1:30 pm (or ½ hour after the floor session ends).

Call for more information:

Sireesha Manne or Abuko Estrada,

NM Center on Law and Poverty

(505) 255-2840

www.nmpovertylaw.org   or

[email protected]


Health Security Act (SB 172 – will likely be combined in a substitute bill along with HB 101)

From the HEALTH SECURITY for NEW MEXICANS  Campaign:

“The Health Security Act (HB 101 and SB 172) would set up the NM Health Security Plan, a public, statewide health plan that would cover most New Mexicans. The Health Security Act would shift private insurance to a supplemental role and guarantee access to comprehensive, affordable, quality health care coverage, regardless of individuals’ income level, health status, or employment status. Sliding-scale, income-based premiums would go into a dedicated fund to pay for New Mexicans’ health care needs. With the Affordable Care Act’s future in question, it is more important than ever for New Mexico to enact this well-vetted, homegrown plan.”

Thursday, February 9, 2017 –

Senate Public Affairs Committee, Room 321.

The committee starts at 1:30 pm (or ½ hour after the floor session ends).

Call for more information:

visit the HEALTH SECURITY for NEW MEXICANS  Campaign website at: www.nmhealthsecurity.org