House Unanimously Passes Legislation to Make Healthcare More Affordable for Educators
HB 47 is part of House Democrats’ platform to lower healthcare costs for New Mexicans and expand access to care
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to lower out-of-pocket health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff. House Bill 47 now heads to the Senate.
HB 47 increases public and charter schools’ required minimum contributions to their employees’ health insurance premiums. The bill would require districts to pay 80% of the total premium cost for all employees. Currently, districts pay 60-80% of the cost, depending on the individual’s income level, and most staff receive the lower end of the benefit.
The bill would bring school employee contributions in-line with those for other state employees, and closer to the national average of 75-85% employer contributions. Funding to support this increase is included in the state budget (HB 2).
“Our educators and school staff deserve fair employer contributions to their health insurance, so they can keep more of their hard-earned dollars,” said lead sponsor House Majority Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara (D-Chamberino). “Enhancing this critical benefit shows our teachers that they are valued, and will help us continue to recruit the best and brightest to our classrooms.”
Additionally, HB 47 removes the option for districts to opt out of providing health insurance, disability income, or term life insurance to employees. It also eliminates an exemption that previously allowed Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) to operate its own insurance plans and now requires the district to participate in the Public School Insurance Authority (NMPSIA).
HB 47 is one important piece of the House Democrats’ wide-ranging platform to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs and improve access to high-quality healthcare throughout the state. House Democrats are also pushing forward legislation and investments to recruit and retain providers and make targeted changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws to protect both patients and healthcare practitioners.
A select list of House Democrats’ key healthcare priorities is below.
The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year’s 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
Select Healthcare Priorities
A non-comprehensive list of healthcare investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes:
Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs by expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families (HB 4, HB 2*)
Decreasing health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff, so they can keep more of their hard-earned money (HB 47)*
Growing a strong healthcare workforce by doubling the size of the UNM Medical School (HB 2)*
Creating a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians, improving the expedited licensure process for all providers coming to New Mexico, and expanding telehealth options (HB 127)*
Investing heavily in provider recruitment and retention (HB 68), including expanding the state’s loan repayment program (HB 2*), offsetting the cost of training for residents, and expanding the Rural Healthcare Practitioner Tax Credit (HB 142)
Making targeted changes to medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for doctors and providers (HB 99, HB 195, HB 15)
Creating a personal income tax credit for healthcare providers mentoring aspiring students in their field (HB 90)
Improving access to healthcare by joining interstate medical compacts
HB 10: Physician Assistant Interstate Compact*
HB 11: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact*
HB 12: Physical Therapy Licensure Compact*
HB 13: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact*
HB 14: Dental and Dentist Hygienist Compact*
HB 31: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact*
HB 32: Counseling Licensure Compact*
HB 33: Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact*
HB 50: Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact*
SB 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act*
*Indicates legislation has passed the House
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