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Patient access to behavioral health and substance use disorder services has increasingly become the subject of legislation. Although the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act [1] (MHPAEA), introduced in 2008, requires mental health and substance use disorder benefits (MH/SUD) to be provided in parity with medical or surgical benefits, the law does not mandate any particular benefit structure for MH/SUD services. As a result, states have enacted or strengthened their own mental health parity laws by supplementing the requirements of the MHPAEA. [2] New Mexico is the most recent state to do so.
4 hours ago
Lujan Grisham signed the Healthy Workplaces Act.
HB 20, whose lead sponsor was Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Albuquerque, mandates that all private sector employers must provide up to 64 hours of paid sick leave a year. Starting July 1, 2022, employees will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. The fine for noncompliance is $500.
The bill sparked controversy when Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, continued a line of questioning to the Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, that some have called bullying during a Senate floor debate. The Senate recessed for nearly 30 minutes to regain composure.
Opponents argued that the bill would hurt small businesses already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Advocates for the bill said that the state has passed relief packages to help small businesses and that the Healthy Workplaces Act has a delayed start date to give small businesses time to financially recover.
Governor Esablishes New Mexico Health Care Affordability Fund, Eliminates Copays For Behavioral Health Services
STATE News:
SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday signed into law Senate Bill 317, establishing the Health Care Affordability Fund, which is dedicated to reducing the cost of health insurance and medical expenses for working families.
The bill also prohibits copays and other cost sharing for people with insurance who seek behavioral health services.
“The pandemic has highlighted the devastating economic impact of out-of-pocket medical bills that can lead to medical debt, bankruptcy and poor credit for the uninsured. This legislation is an important first step in helping 23,000 uninsured New Mexicans gain access to affordable health insurance,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “We can make a real, meaningful difference by reducing the costs for those with insurance who seek help by eliminating the copays for behavioral health services – and I’m so proud and g
Governor signs aid in dying bill
Santa Fe New Mexican, The (NM)
Apr. 8 In a legislative session full of contentious proposals from more progressive lawmakers such as legalizing cannabis and repealing a decades-old abortion ban perhaps none drew as much controversy as one that would give terminally ill patients the right to seek a doctor s aid in dying.
On Thursday, Gov.
Michelle Lujan Grisham signed into law House Bill 47, known as the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act, which gives certain patients the right to ask a physician to prescribe drugs to end their suffering.
The legislation is named after a