Supporters tell subcommittee SB 101 should make health-care financing permanent
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Summary
Witnesses urged the subcommittee to repeal the sunset on the Health Care Delivery and Access Act (SB 101), saying the program has helped hospitals leverage about $1.5 billion in federal funding; committee postponed votes to Thursday.
Supporters from hospitals, business groups and safety advocates told a legislative subcommittee SB 101, which would repeal the statutory sunset for the Health Care Delivery and Access Act, should be advanced to maintain a funding and reinvestment mechanism for hospitals.
A sponsor said the 2024 act has helped optimize roughly $1.5 billion in federal funding for hospitals since launch 18 months ago and that the bill would repeal the program’s July 1, 2030 sunset date to make the financing strategy permanent. Carrie Armijo, Cabinet Secretary of the Health Care Authority, described the change as a straightforward move to preserve a financing tool that supports workforce and service investments.
Business and hospital representatives — including Leslie Hillema of the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, Joanna Pincomomo of New Mexico Safety Over Profit, Julia Ritten of the New Mexico Hospital Association and JD Bullington of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce — said SB 101 provides stability and predictability for employers and health systems and argued it helps rural and safety-net hospitals remain viable.
Committee members did not take a final vote in subcommittee and said votes would occur on Thursday when the panel reconvenes.
The hearing record for SB 101 focused on preserving the financing mechanism and on claims that federal policy changes could prevent states from creating similar programs in the future without legislative action; witnesses urged the Legislature to act to prevent disruptions to hospital funding and services.
