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 HB2/HAFCS, SB2, HB23, HB124, SB53, SB118

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Health

Children, Youth and Families Department

NM Health Policy Commission

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

The bill appropriates $600.0 to provide maternal and child health services statewide pursuant to the provisions of the County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act.

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill appropriates $600.0 in general fund in FY01 to the Department of Health (DOH).

The services funded in the bill are also available for funding under the Maternal and Child Health Act and the Healthier Kids Fund.

The bill does not indicate if the appropriation would be used to leverage federal Medicaid funds for which these services qualify. Leveraging this appropriation would generate approximately $1.8 in federal Medicaid funds.

The Health Policy Commission indicates the following programs already provide funding with state general fund for maternal and child health services:

• •Prenatal and pediatric care including EPSDT (early periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment) benefits for children are currently provided through Medicaid. Currently, pregnant women and children are covered by Medicaid up to185% of the federal poverty level ($30,895 for a family of four in 1999) and children uninsured for the previous 12 months are covered by Medicaid up to 235% of the federal poverty level ($39,245 for a family of four).



• •Some of the services provided by Maternal and Child Health Councils duplicate and compliment Medicaid-covered services.



• •Maternal and Child Health Councils in almost every county are eligible for funding (general fund) from DOH to conduct outreach and other services for pregnant women and children.



• •Healthier Kids Fund administered by DOH provides reimbursement for primary care and other services for children not covered by Medicaid.



• •Community Health Centers, receiving funding from the state through the Rural Primary Health Care Act and the federal government, provide primary care and, in many cases, prenatal care for uninsured individuals.



• •Counties may also cover a wide range of services, including preventive services, outreach, and medical care for medically indigent individuals by using funding from the County Indigent Fund program.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

DOH indicates if the bill expands current services, the administrative impact to DOH would be minimal.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

House Bill 2/HAFCS budgeted $1,500.0 in tobacco settlement revenue for expansion of early childhood development home visits and prevention services. Senate Bill 2 budgets $1,000.0 for the same purpose.

HB23 and HB124 would appropriate funds for maternal and child health services.

The bill also relates to SB118 and SB53 which would provide comprehensive prenatal and pediatric services in southern New Mexico.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

DOH suggests including the following language in the bill, the priority for funding contained in SB154 is for counties that currently do not receive MCH Act funding.

RAE/njw