New Mexico Gov. Richardson Might Compromise With Health Care Coalition on Legislation

The administration of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) on Thursday indicated that it is willing to compromise with a coalition of advocacy groups on legislation that would overhaul the state's health care system, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports. Richardson supports a bill that would require all New Mexico residents to obtain health coverage and would create a health care authority. The coalition, called the Health Care for All Campaign, supports the creation of a health care authority that would work with expert advisory councils to develop by 2009 "a comprehensive plan for accessible and affordable health care" for all state residents.

State Human Services Secretary Pam Hyde said that Richardson wants health care legislation to include insurance reforms and mechanisms to expand coverage. The coalition said that Richardson's plan does not do enough to reduce health care costs and guarantee access to care and that the proposed health care authority would give the governor too much power. Under Richardson's plan, the governor would appoint all but one of the 11 members of the authority. Hyde said the Richardson administration is willing to discuss making the authority more independent, the AP/Times reports.

The state House Health and Government Affairs Committee also is considering a third proposal that would create a "cooperative-type health insurance plan for nearly all New Mexicans that would be run by an independent commission," according to the AP/Times (Baker, AP/Contra Costa Times, 1/24).