March 15, 2001

SENATE EXECUTIVE MESSAGE NO. 15

The Honorable Richard Romero and

Members of the Senate

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable President and Members of the Senate:

I have this day VETOED and am returning SENATE BILL 641, as amended, enacted by the Forty-Fifth Legislature, First Session, 2001.

This bill would exclude mental and behavioral health services from the state’s managed care program, Salud!. The federal Health Care Finance Administration, acting under existing federal and state laws, recently approved the state’s decision to include these services in managed care. I will continue to veto legislation that limits our state’s flexibility to provide well-managed, cost effective, and successful Medicaid services to New Mexico’s needy families.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor

RECEIVED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR:

Time: _____________________ By:_____________________________

Secretary of State

Date ______________________

Time:______________________

Date_______________________ By:_____________________________

Chief Clerk of the Senate

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