SENATE MEMORIAL 8

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Lisa A. Torraco

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING "JADEN'S WAY" TO SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DENIED CARE AND SUPPORTS ON THE BASIS OF THEIR PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL CONDITIONS.

     WHEREAS, there are individuals in New Mexico whose combination of physical and behavioral health conditions makes it difficult for them to find the health care and the social supports that they desperately need; and

     WHEREAS, the families of these individuals often feel helpless as they confront enormous challenges in providing round-the-clock care in dangerous and exhausting circumstances; and

     WHEREAS, an example of an individual with a need for acute care and supports is Jaden Fawver, a young New Mexican who lived with multiple, complex physical and behavioral conditions, including medical fragility, Down syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, disruptive behavior, oppositional defiant disorder and an autism spectrum condition called pervasive developmental disorders; and

     WHEREAS, Jaden's conditions presented great challenges to his family and caregivers, as he presented with intense aggression and other behaviors dangerous to himself and his family and caregivers; and

     WHEREAS, when Jaden needed medical care, many facilities could not handle his severe medical conditions; and

     WHEREAS, the state's public physical and behavioral health care management and payment infrastructure was at times unresponsive to Jaden's and his family's needs; and

     WHEREAS, the lack of health care and respite care left Jaden's family with nowhere to turn to address Jaden's or their own needs; and

     WHEREAS, tragically, Jaden Fawver passed away on January 7, 2012 at the age of ten years; and

     WHEREAS, Jaden's story of struggling for essential care is not the only tragic story of its kind taking place in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the senate recognize the need for safe and high-quality health care and social supports for individuals whose physical and behavioral care needs present acute challenges; and 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the quest for better care and supports for high-need individuals and their families be known as "Jaden's Way", in honor of Jaden Fawver, his parents, Jessica and Josh Baumeister, and the rest of Jaden's family; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to Jessica and Josh Baumeister, the governor, the secretary of children, youth and families, the secretary of health and the secretary of human services.

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