Human Service Department listening sessions

Posted at: 09/11/2009 2:51 PM
By: NM Human Services Department

Santa Fe, New Mexico - The New Mexico Human Services Department wants to hear from the public about possible cost containment measures under consideration for the dozens of publicly funded medical assistance programs offered by the department in an effort to deal with a projected shortfall in the current and upcoming budget years. Three general public meetings and one Tribal issues meeting are scheduled across the state beginning September 23, 2009.

"For several reasons, including the economy, the Medical Assistance Division budget is looking at a projected shortfall for the current budget year forward to Fiscal Year 2012," said Pamela Hyde, Human Services Department Secretary. "We have no other option but to look at cost containment and restructuring programs as they currently exist to ensure that coverage is available for as many eligible New Mexicans as possible in the future. Public input will be helpful in making these decisions."

The budget shortfall for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 is projected to be between $40 million and $55 million. The following year, FY 2011 the general fund need above the program's base could grow to $200 million to $300 million due to extreme growth and lost non-recurring state and federal funding. In FY 2012 the projected general fund need will be very high due in part to lost federal stimulus funding.

"The Medical Assistance budget is something that has to be managed closely to account for increased enrollment in the programs, increased use in a particular program, and increases or decreases in federal matching funds, among other factors," said Hyde. "Knowing what our needs are now can help us determine how to manage the programs for the future."

There are currently approximately 510,000 New Mexicans enrolled in HSD's health coverage programs and 600,000 are projected to be enrolled by June 2011. The programs include several Medicaid programs (behavioral health, physical health and long term services), the State Coverage Insurance (SCI) program, and Premium Assistance programs.

The listening sessions are being held in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces.

Ø Wednesday, September 23, 2009 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Albuquerque, The Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, Pugash Hall, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE

Ø Thursday, September 24, 2009 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tribal input - Santa Fe, Garrey Carruthers State Library, 1209 Camino Carlos Rey

Ø Monday, September 28, 2009 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Las Cruces, Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum Theater, 4100 Dripping Springs Road

Ø Wednesday, September 30, 2009 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. - Santa Fe, State Personnel Office Auditorium, 2600 Cerrillos Road.

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