New Mexico State Senator Dede Feldman's Blog

Here's My Annual Constituent Survey: Give Me Your Two Cents

    In the 13 years that I have surveyed my constituents in advance of each legislative session, the challenges have never been greater.  Budget analysts estimate a $400 million shortfall for next fiscal year.  Over the last three years, we've cut almost $1 billion from a $5.8 billion budget as we try to cope with diminished revenue resulting from the recession.  Constitutionally, NM must have a balanced budget, but we are running out of options.

    Please let me know what you think by taking the time to fill out this survey before the session starts January 18.  Here's the link...  http://bit.ly/fntPVz  Democracy is a two-way  (actually multi-way) street. 

                With the Warmest of Seasons Greetings,

                Senator Dede Feldman

 

 

 

Government Restructuring, a Boost for Rural Health Care, & Cleaning with Meaning

A Government Restructuring Task Force has been meeting for the last six months to propose ways to streamline government and (ideally) deliver services more efficiently by consolidating departments and eliminating unnecessary boards and commissions. Their proposals are fairly drastic and include possible mergers of:

• the Aging and Long Term Services Department with the Human Services Department
• Tourism with Economic Development
• the Environment Department with Energy and Minerals
• There is another proposal, which I think makes sense, to consolidate Medicaid programs now spread through many departments.

In addition, the Task Force has called for possible elimination of:

• the NM Game Commission
• the NM Construction Industries Commission
• the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities
• the NM Health Policy Commission
• the NM Commission on the Status of Women
• the NM Youth Alliance
• the Military Base Planning Commission
• the Crime stoppers Commission
• the Domestic Violence Commission
• the Organized Crime Prevention Commission

Some of these commissions are regulatory. Others are mechanisms through which citizens and affected populations give input and make recommendations. Let me know what you think.

Cleaning for a Reason

I recently got an e-mail about a cleaning service that provides free housecleaning (once per month for four months) for women currently undergoing chemotherapy. Women must sign up and have their doctor fax a note confirming the treatment, and “Cleaning for a Reason” will have a participating maid services (Mini Maid and Molly Maid in Albuquerque) arrange for service. Click here to learn more.


Federal Health Care Reform Continues to Deliver $$$ to New Mexico

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius a few weeks ago announced the launch of a new round of grants to encourage primary health care providers to locate in rural areas. The grant program, which includes $290 million from the Affordable Care Act, is aimed at providing loan repayments for health care providers (doctors, nurses, dentists) in exchange for two years of service at health facilities serving the medically under-served.

New Mexico has already received approximately $84 million in grants under the new act, in the nine months since it was signed. Grants include funds for a high-risk medical pool, a home visiting program, insurance rate review, a consumer ombudsman program, planning for a health insurance exchange, nursing programs, funds for rural health clinics, and help for companies to pay for early retiree insurance claims.