NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

Only the most recent FIR version, excluding attachments, is available on the Intranet. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC office in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB124, SB53, SB154, HB128, HB23, HB165, HB2, SB2.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

NM Health Policy Commission

Children, Youth and Families Department

Department of Health did not respond

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The bill appropriates $1 million for the expansion of children's health care services under the children's medical services program.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The bill appropriates $1,000.0 to the Department of Health's (DOH) Public Health Division for the children's medical services program.

The Health Policy Commission indicates there are other funding options for providing services to the population covered by DOH's Healthier Kids Fund, part of the children's medical services program. These options include leveraging monies and increasing services provided through a Medicaid waiver enabling an expansion of Medicaid to children up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($50,100 for a family of four), legislation expanding populations served by County Indigent Funds, or additional appropriations directly to primary care clinics.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

SB306 relates to HB124 which appropriates $1.5 million for prenatal services; SB53 which appropriates $1.5 million for prenatal services; SB154 which funds maternal and child health services; HB128 which funds services for Medicaid ineligible youth; HB165 which is intended to provide health care to underserved populations; and HB2/aHAFC, SB2 and HB23 which provide funding for prenatal health services.

Information provided for these bills has not specified any potential coordination or consolidation of these services which could result in efficiencies and cost savings to the state as well as improved access to health care services.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The Health Policy Commission (HPC) suggests an amendment to specify the Healthier Kids' Fund as one of the specific programs, and also to specify the services and populations for which funding is intended.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

HPC indicates there are two major components to DOH's children's medical services: 1) children's medical services which primarily consists of case management and services for special needs children; and 2) Healthier Kids Fund, established prior to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide reimbursement for primary care services to uninsured children.

RAE/sb