HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 91

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENCE OF AND RATIONALE FOR DENYING LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE TO NEW MEXICO VETERANS SUFFERING FROM POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

     WHEREAS, the psychological effects of war have been noted in veterans throughout history; and

     WHEREAS, a 1988 study found that fifteen percent of all Vietnam veterans have post traumatic stress disorder, and up to fifty percent of all veterans have had the disorder at some point in their lives; and

     WHEREAS, symptoms may not begin until many years after military experience, and direct reminders of war experience may trigger symptoms; and

     WHEREAS, post traumatic stress disorder is a treatable condition, and veterans can be helped to manage the condition and live long and fruitful lives; and

     WHEREAS, while post traumatic stress disorder is a chronic condition, it is not a life-threatening or terminal condition; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico owes a debt of gratitude to its veterans who have served this country honorably in all branches of the military service; and

     WHEREAS, the United States congress recognized this debt when, in 1989, it created the national center for post traumatic stress disorder with the federal department of veterans affairs to advance the clinical care and social welfare of the country's veterans dealing with this disorder; and

     WHEREAS, financial security includes a veteran's ability to provide for his family through life insurance; and

     WHEREAS, some veterans in the state are experiencing difficulty in obtaining life insurance due to a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the insurance division of the public regulation commission be requested to conduct an investigation into the incidence of and rationale for denying life insurance coverage to New Mexico veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the investigation identify the mechanisms by which insurance companies make determinations about whether or not to insure an individual, and under what circumstances life insurance would be denied to a veteran with post traumatic stress disorder; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the insurance division of the public regulation commission report its findings to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its October 2005 meeting; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be sent to the superintendent of insurance.

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