New Mexico Conference of Churches

Public Policy Position on Health Care

PREFACE

Our Christian tradition witnesses to God's care for every individual and people. Health and healing are frequent expressions of God's regard for everyone. Christ our great Physician dispensed healing and hope without reserve.

BACKGROUND

The Governor's Health Policy Advisory Committee report in 1988 and the Senate Memorial 19 report in 1990 strongly identified the State's leadership role in the health and well-being of New Mexicans. Both these reports and NM Statutes 1978 9-7-11.1 establish that it is "the health policy of the state of New Mexico to promote optimal health; to prevent disease, disability and premature death; to improve the quality of life; and to assure that basic health services are available, accessible, acceptable and culturally appropriate, regardless of financial status".

New Mexico's population is projected to increase from 1.6 million in 1992 to 1.8 million by 2000. This increase (11.5%) is more than twice the national average of 5.27%.

Disproportionate growth in population will occur for children and those over 65 years of age. These are the age groups most likely to be dependent on the state for health and human service assistance. Additionally, 16.3% of all births are to teenage mothers which is 27% higher than the national percentage of 12.8%. Likewise, New Mexico because of its cultural and geographic linkages to Mexico, has a higher proportion of both legal and illegal immigrants requiring health care services, regardless of federal funding policies. New Mexico's rate of uninsured is approximately 20%. Two-thirds of New Mexico's uninsured are working individuals and their families. This number includes about 126,000 New Mexico children without health care coverage, whose families earn more than the Medicaid eligibility standard.

In contemplating a solution to the health care crisis we should work to understand the causes of rapidly escalating costs. There are elements of our health care systems that are inefficient and fiscally irresponsible. Among other factors diet and substance abuse contribute to many health problems and related costs in our country. There are more deaths, illnesses and disabilities from substance abuse - the problematic use of alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco - than from any other preventable health conditions.

Achieving good health is a complex goal - one including public health, environmental factors, socio-economic concerns, genetics, safety, individual practices, education, prevention and treatment.

The institutions concerned with the individual's health care include: home, and family, schools, the work place, the corporate sector, hospitals, public health facilities, faith communities, clinics, nursing homes and other settings. The balance of a healthy body, mind and spirit with emotional stability is characteristic of a healthy person and should be the goal of a comprehensive health care program. One comprehensive change informing contemporary health care coverage should value an emphasis on wellness and prevention as well as attention to the disease model.

Current Pressing Issues and Needs

  1. In keeping with NM Statutes 1978-9-7-11.1, the first priority of the state is to ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of health care.
  2. State government can be perceived as a publicly held organization, owned by the citizens of New Mexico, and as such, should be fiscally responsible, maximizing the goods and services provided to residents of New Mexico given currently available resources.
  3. Health care costs have escalated beyond the ability of Medicare and Medicaid to pay. The number of individuals eligible for both programs is growing at an alarming rate and low cost, socially-based, long term care services (non-medical model) are not reimbursable.
  4. The cost of uncompensated care is ultimately borne by someone, either through cost shifting at the point of service and in premiums or state and federal tax-based and/or tax-derived subsidies.
  5. A substantial portion of health care costs is directly or indirectly related to factors amenable to individual modification with appropriate education and assistance.
  6. The availability and affordability of health care coverage and the cost of health services are major barriers to the ability of both the public and private sectors to meet their responsibilities for ensuring access to care.
  7. Fraud, abuse and waste account for at least 10% of health care expenditures by the state.(1)
  8. All or part of 31 of the state's 33 counties meet federal criteria for designation as health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas.(2)

Policy Position

The New Mexico Conference of Churches affirms that the State of New Mexico has the responsibility to provide to its citizens access to adequate and affordable coverage for inpatient and outpatient medical care, preventive care, prescription drugs, mental health care and long term care that includes coverage for home and community-based and nursing home care.

Taxation measures should be used to reduce consumption of tobacco and alcohol .The revenues from these taxes should be set aside for treatment and rehabilitation services. Prohibition of the use of illicit drugs should be rigorously enforced and education and rehabilitation efforts should be increased.

The New Mexico Conference of Churches supports appropriate legislation designed to deal with the health care needs of New Mexico.

1. See reports referenced in the Background section of this statement

2. Ibid