Governor Bill Richardson Signs Health Care Bill

Press Release

Governor Bill Richardson Signs Health Care Bill

Governor Bill Richardson today signed a bill that expands health care coverage to thousands of uninsured New Mexico children and hundreds of developmentally disabled New Mexicans.

"I am proud to sign this bill which gives so many New Mexico families the health care they deserve," Governor Bill Richardson said. "This is a big day for our state, and a major first step toward our goal of ensuring every New Mexican has access to quality health care."

The bill makes $22.5 million available to provide 17,000 New Mexico children who are currently uninsured the opportunity to get health care coverage through Medicaid or SCHIP programs.

The bill also appropriates $10 million for the Developmentally Disabled Medicaid waiver program. The additional funding will help provide services to more than 400 New Mexicans, both children and adults, who have spent years on the waiver waiting list which currently has more than 4,000 people on it.

Governor Richardson vetoed language that attempted to limit the Human Services Department's authority to manage and distribute health care funds. The veto also gives HSD the flexibility to provide health care services to New Mexicans in the most efficient manner.

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