April 20, 2023 By

Written by Akkana Peck (Los Alamos), update B. Pearson, OPS

State-based SP organizations

Health Security Act (NM) Support Group, https://www.nmhealthsecurity.org/

LWV-NM, https://lwvnm.org

National Affiliations:  

Many national organizations with NM chapters listed.

State-based SP bills

The 2019 Health Security Act proposed a state-based single payer health care plan for almost all New Mexicans. (The state cannot replace federally provided health care such as US government employee plans and the Indian Health Service, so those residents are not included in the HSA.) Current status as of 2023: The HSA has not passed the legislature, but several state-funded studies on how the HSA would be implemented are in progress.
For more details, see: https://www.nmhealthsecurity.org/

Related legislation

Several other bills extending Medicaid or allowing for a state-wide Medicaid buy-in have been introduced in recent years.  Medicaid extension has passed; Medicaid buy-ins have not (yet).

(Other progressive bills did not pass.)

Obstacles to SP in the current context

NM is hampered by its very short legislative sessions.  Many legislators are supportive but they file more bills than they can discuss and vote on, so it takes many years for bills to work their way through.

Plus the usual opposition from organized insurance and health care provider lobbyists.

Other challenges

Many residents working for government labs or agencies who won’t be included in a statewide single-payer plan. Large Indian population, with unique legal issues there. (These are not obstacles to implementing SP, but they need to be taken into account.)

Advantages for SP in current context

The Health Security fiscal analysis showed that the SP Health Security Act plan would lead to universal coverage while costing less than the current system.  Two other studies agree. https://www.nmhealthsecurity.org/studies-articles

NM is well positioned for considering SP: much of the state is rural and there are many areas where it’s difficult to get either insurance or care, and we have a high proportion of residents on Medicaid. So health coverage is challenging here already; and single-payer should be able to help address those challenges.

League of Women Voters-NM has several individuals who can lobby for some healthcare issues and are authorized to speak for the League.

Goals for SP movement in NM 2023-2024

Health Security related studies are ongoing.  HSA will continue education and advocacy activities in preparation for  mobilizing people when the study finishes.

Where can people find news about Single Payer in your state and/or join a group?

Health Security for New Mexico Campaign (w/ over 150 member organizations listed)

https://www.nmhealthsecurity.org/  (click “get involved”) / Hsncm.contact@gmail.com