Governor Bill Richardson Appoints Team to Prepare for National Health Care Reform
Press Release
Governor Bill Richardson Appoints Team to Prepare for National
Health Care Reform
Governor Bill Richardson has issued an Executive Order, establishing the New
Mexico Health Care Reform Leadership Team that will prepare for the implementation of health care reform passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.
"Health care reform will create more affordable choices for working families," said Governor Richardson. "We must prepare for this historic change in order for New Mexicans to benefit to the fullest extent of this historic legislation."
The Executive Order calls for the Leadership Team to develop a strategic plan, coordinate across state agencies, and present for recommendations made to the Governor by July 1, 2010.
The strategic plan will focus on the following:
* How state government will implement the new legislation including proposals for statutory
and regulatory changes
* An analysis of how federal legislation will impact the state budget
* Identification of available funding sources
* An analysis of available data necessary to prepare for implementation
* An analysis of existing state agency capacities
* A timeline for implementation that allows phase-in of reform and implementation of new
systems; and
* A communications plan for stakeholders, the public and state agencies
There will be an opportunity for the Leadership Team to consider public input from stakeholders and the public in developing its recommendations and the strategic plan.
The Leadership Team consists of leaders of several state agencies, all of which play an important role in implementing National Health Care Reform.
Human Services Department Secretary Katie Falls has been appointed the chair of the Leadership Team. Other members include the Secretaries of; the Department of Health, Department of Workforce Solutions, Taxation and Revenue, Information Technology, Children, Youth and Families, Aging and Long Term Services, Indian Affairs, the Superintendent of the Public Regulation Commission, Division of Insurance, the Behavioral Health Collaborative CEO, and a representative from the Governor's office.
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