Update on Cost Drivers Funding
By Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign
Dear Supporters,
We know this is a busy time for you but we need to update you about the latest news regarding funding for the cost drivers project and how you can help ensure that the needed funding is included in the budget that is introduced this upcoming legislative session.
The Zoom Workshop on Cost Drivers
On Saturday, December 6, Las Cruces pharmacist and board member Davena Norris and Executive Director Mary Feldblum led a very productive discussion on why investing in the SYSTEMIC drivers of rising health care cost is so critical. Dr. Miriam Laugesen, one of the consultants working on this project, also attended and contributed to the conversation.
The purpose of the workshop was to make sure that we all were on the same page: spending more and more state dollars, while rescuing very important programs, is not going to solve the systemic cost drivers problems. And, there are solutions!!
Here are the links to three core documents that were sent to the participants.
- Progress update on the Cost Drivers Project
- The Cost Drivers Chart describing key cost drivers, their interconnected problems and solutions
- The full fascinating report on the burdens of medical billing from UNM’s Center for Public Policy.
Everyone was willing to reach out to their legislators to ensure that $1 million is included in the legislative budget for the Cost Drivers Project – as well as $250,000 for the creation of a New Mexico health expenditure database, which is vital to guide health care policy.
NOW IS YOUR TURN TO HELP:
Please get in touch with your state legislators by phone, letter, or email, pointing out the urgency of continued funding developing solutions to the key causes of runaway health care costs.
If you belong to an organization, it would be important to have them communicate with legislators who are chairs of the Legislative Finance Committee and any members they have a special relationship with.
Some simple steps to keep in mind:
- Determine your legislators here, if you do not know them already. Include their contact information and their staff member.
- Are they are on the Legislative Finance Committee? Keep in mind that members of Legislative Finance Committee are the ones who vote on the budget that will be introduced in the House in January. They clearly are a priority.
- If your legislators are NOT members of Legislative Finance Committee, you can still communicate with them and let them know that funding needs to be included in HB 2 (the budget bill) that will ensure continued development of solutions to escalating costs.
- If you send an email, be sure to include in the subject line: “support funding of solutions to rising health care costs.” And, copy their staff. Briefly explain why you personally feel it is critical for the state to continue to invest in solutions to the causes of rising health care cost.
- Whether you meet, with, speak to, or email your legislators, the message is simple. Funding must be included in the budget bill. Rising health care costs are on everyone’s mind. The Cost Drivers Progress document provides more information about why this project is the solution New Mexico needs.
PLEASE REPORT BACK TO US!
- Whom did you contact, and by what means? Send us a copy of any written emails or letters!
- Let us know if you received any responses. Was more information requested?
- Send an email to hsnmc.contact@gmail.com .
FINALLY, don’t forget this work on the Cost Drivers dovetails with our goal to reintroduce the Health Security Act in 2027. These New-Mexico-specific reports will be vital in supporting the case for a comprehensive and coordinated New Mexico healthcare plan and in developing the details of the plan.
Your support is so critical to ensure that funding for this important cost drivers project continues!
Please note: This article expresses the opinions and research of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of NMSAAM, the NMSAAM BOD, or the ASA.
Also: NMSAAM has historically supported and continues to support the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign