Posts with the tag legislature
The cost of health coverage continues to devastate the average American family. In fact, health care costs are the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in our country.
Seniors are perhaps most vulnerable to this alarming trend.
When the New Mexico State Legislature convenes on August 15, I certainly hope cost doesn't get sacrificed at the altar of coverage.
Covering all New Mexicans is absolutely critical. But, there must be measures taken to ensure that by doing so, we don't turn it into a boondoggle for the already thriving insurance industry.
A good start would be to require more meaningful transparency at the point of purchasing a policy. One bill introduced during the 2007 legislative session provided such transparency. Broker fees, the amount of money that gets spent on actual health care (called "Medical Loss Ratio" in official parlance) and the rate of premium cost increases over the previous five years were all included in the bill.
The bill was defeated quickly on the Senate floor.
But, this kind of transparency will be necessary if we mandate coverage on hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans.
Just look at what Massachusetts is going through. They extended coverage to all residents last year. But, they failed to address the sky rocketing cost of private insurance. They are now forced to retrofit the system with measures (like greater transparency) to control costs. Not an easy prospect, given the insurance lobby.
Let's learn from Massachusetts and not make the same mistake here.
Seniors are perhaps most vulnerable to this alarming trend.
When the New Mexico State Legislature convenes on August 15, I certainly hope cost doesn't get sacrificed at the altar of coverage.
Covering all New Mexicans is absolutely critical. But, there must be measures taken to ensure that by doing so, we don't turn it into a boondoggle for the already thriving insurance industry.
A good start would be to require more meaningful transparency at the point of purchasing a policy. One bill introduced during the 2007 legislative session provided such transparency. Broker fees, the amount of money that gets spent on actual health care (called "Medical Loss Ratio" in official parlance) and the rate of premium cost increases over the previous five years were all included in the bill.
The bill was defeated quickly on the Senate floor.
But, this kind of transparency will be necessary if we mandate coverage on hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans.
Just look at what Massachusetts is going through. They extended coverage to all residents last year. But, they failed to address the sky rocketing cost of private insurance. They are now forced to retrofit the system with measures (like greater transparency) to control costs. Not an easy prospect, given the insurance lobby.
Let's learn from Massachusetts and not make the same mistake here.
Your Clearly New Mexico correspondent roams the Roundhouse in the Santa Fe and asks legislators: "Do you support public funding of elections?" Read More »
Here's one you don't see every day. The DFNM blog takes on Joe Monahan for shilling for legislators who are trying to kill ethics reform. DFNM nails this one dead-on the money. M-Pyre is on it too. Bravo!
So it seems that earlier today Monahan scolded Common Cause for pushing too hard on ethics reform and even went so far as to call upon the organization's donors to rethink their priorities. Monahan's source, as usual, was one of his trademark "alligators." Read More »
So it seems that earlier today Monahan scolded Common Cause for pushing too hard on ethics reform and even went so far as to call upon the organization's donors to rethink their priorities. Monahan's source, as usual, was one of his trademark "alligators." Read More »
The media is focusing increasing attention on the power of corporate lobbyists at the legislature. In the midst of the intensifying battle for ethics reform in Santa Fe, this post by Marjorie at SWOP Blogger offers a view from the netroots at how business is really conducted at the Roundhouse. Read More »
Who could be against greater transparency? In the midst of the big health care debate in Santa Fe, a modest little reform, which would greatly benefit consumers at no cost to insurers, is moving through the committee process. And it is arousing panicked opposition from an army of insurance company lobbyists. Read More »
Rep. Brian K. Moore, R-Clayton is sponsoring HB 180, the Manny Herrera Access to Healthy Foods Act. That's just one of several measures designed to address New Mexico's food gap. Read More »
Tune in Sunday, January 20, at 10 AM on KOB-TV 4 to the "Eye on New Mexico" show and watch... Read More »
Political blogger Joe Monahan may be the go-to darling of the local MSM, but a great post at Democracy for New Mexico puts these matters into proper perspective. Read More »
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