Bill would let counties use indigent funds to buy coverage; committee advance

The committee recommended Senate Bill 45, an amendment to state law that would allow counties that maintain county health-care assistance (indigent) funds to use those dollars to buy health insurance premiums or pay for public programs on behalf of eligible residents.

Senator Peter Wirth (presenting for senator Steinborn) told the committee the change is voluntary for counties and does not create new taxes. Jamie Michael, director of Dona Ana County Health and Human Services, said the county's existing program raises roughly $9 million a year and that the bill would allow counties to use current funds in different ways if the county chooses.

Supporters, including the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and local officials, said the option could provide a more affordable path to comprehensive care for working residents who do not qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private coverage. Opponents were not recorded in the excerpt provided.

Representative Erica Sanchez of the Center on Law and Poverty and other witnesses described use cases such as dental care, cremation assistance and other services currently paid through indigent funds; proponents said allowing premium payments could avoid very expensive emergency care bills by enrolling people in coverage.

The committee moved the bill by a do-pass motion and recorded requests to show several members in opposition on the motion (Representative Brown, Representative Vincent, Representative Pettigrew were listed as opposition on the motion record in the transcript excerpt). The transcript excerpt does not include a detailed roll call in the provided section.