Urgent: Contact Governor to Sign MY Two Health Care Reform Bills

Two of the only health care reform bills to pass the legislature are now on the Governor's desk-awaiting either his signature-- or veto by March 5.  The bills, which I sponsored, focus on health insurance reform (Senate Bill 226) and the creation of a "Healthy New Mexico" task force to confront the primary cost drivers in the system-chronic diseases (Senate Bill 129).

Call the Governor's Office at 505- 476-2200, write him at Gov. Bill Richardson, Office of the Governor, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Room 400, State Capitol Building, Santa Fe, NM 87501, fax him at 505-476-2226   or e-mail him through the Governor's web site ate www.governor.state.nm.us.

SB 226,  "Insurance Defense & Maximum Coverage," gives a little more edge to consumers vis a vis health insurance companies by making it harder for the companies to reject applicants with pre-existing conditions because the waiting period had elapsed, or the consumer made an inadvertent mistake on his or her application.  Under the new law applicants must be deliberately fraudulent in order to get turned down.  The bill also increases the maximum amount of yearly coverage permitted by the companies for some policies from $50,000 to $100,000.  Feldman worked with the Public Regulation Commission and the companies on this one. 

SB 129, the Healthy New Mexico Task Force, will mobilize the state against chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma and obesity through a coordinated plan for prevention, case management, and primary care.  Vermont started a plan several years ago like this called the Vermont Blueprint for Health" and they are making progress with some very inexpensive, common sense steps, while cutting health care costs.  $50,000 for this purpose is already included in the "Junior" budget bill.

The Governor is also holding office hours on Thursday Feb. 21 from 2-5 for ordinary citizens to voice their opinions on these and other bills. Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.

Comments

[Becca Moran]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! As a single, full time student, full time employee, mother of two, THANK YOU!

[Alisha]

I have sent an email to the gov about the healthcare issues

[rebecca]

i am writing in support of the healthcare bills and was hoping you could sign it for many reasons one i think healthcare is very important for everyone and without it many people would be worse off. it would also allow more people to have insurance and go to the doctor rather then not being able to afford it especially for young children. and also would help out them many families who cannot afford the high costs of medical bills. thanks for taking time to read this. this issues also have to deal with what i am learning in my sociology class which makes this situation very interesting. thank again!!!

[Karena]

I contacted the govern about the issue.

[becca moran]

Please sign and pass SB 226 & SB 129. If not for us, for the children. They are worth it.

[Erica Romero]

Hi! My name is Erica Romero. I am taking a sociology class and we are discussing health care.
I think that the issues on health care should be signed. Health care is very important to our state and a lot of people in our state don't have it. It is very important for children and the elderly more than anything to be completely covered. The adults should be covered as well but maybe not as much as the rest. Health care is a very big problem and I would like to see it come together. Thank you for your time.
Erica

[RachelP]

Governor Bill Richardson,

The purpose for this email is to express my support for the two health care bills, SB 226 & SB 129, and to urge you to sign the bills. I believe the bills will reduce the amount of uninsured New Mexican’s because it will allow individuals with pre-existing conditions to carry insurance. In addition, the maximum increase of yearly coverage would help to offset the high cost of medical care.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

RachelP