Twenty-two percent of New Mexicans had no health insurance in 2003, compared to about 16 percent nationwide. That statistic has prompted health care advocates to introduce universal health care legislation every two years since the early 1990s. Current efforts focus on the Health Security Act, which has evolved and improved due to public feedback since it a version was first introduced in 1993.
Ifenacted, it would guarantee health coverage for all New Mexicans, and ensure that everyone has a benefit package at least as comprehensive as the state employees’ health plan.
More Information:
- Full text of New Mexico’s Health Care Act
- Health Security for New Mexicans offers comprehensive information and analysis on New Mexico’s legislative efforts in health care
- Mathematica Report – Quantitative and Comparative Analysis of Reform Options for Extending Health Care Coverage in New Mexico – June 2007
- The New Mexico Public Health Association includes the Health Security Act in its legislative priorities
- New Rules Projects section on State Single-Payer Universal Health Care Efforts
