by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
One in four New Mexicans do not have health care, but Mary Feldblum plans to change that.
Mary Feldblum, director of Health Security for New Mexicans, spoke to about 15 UNM students Thursday about a health care plan that would provide care for almost all New Mexicans.
The lecture was put on by the American Medical School Association Pre-Med.
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Feldblum said New Mexicans are fed up with the rise in health care costs and want a change. She said the New Mexico Health Security Act is supported by more than 114 organizations and would insure most New Mexicans, including children.
The plan would not insure retired or active military personnel and federal employee retirees, she said.
The plan is a high-end benefit package, she said, which would include acupuncture and mental health care, among others.
She said the plan would still allow New Mexicans to choose their doctors, and policy holders would be able to go out of the state for additional health care.
The health care plan would not be state-run, but it would be run by a public commission, she said. The commission would consist of doctors, pharmacists and other professionals in the medical field, she said.
The commission would run its operations by public input and would not have closed sessions unless for personnel issues.
Feldblum said the plan would take about three years to be enacted. This would give adequate time to ensure the plan would run smoothly, she said.
The first year would be the planning stage. The Legislative Finance Committee and public input would determine the cost of the plan.
If approved, the act will continue to the next stage, which will be to develop a more thorough plan with executive and public input.
If all goes well, she said, the act will go into affect, and New Mexicans will be covered.
"At the end of three years, legislation can provide the money, and New Mexicans can get their (health) cards and never have to worry about health care bankruptcy again," she said.
The bill has been popular and was picked up and slightly modified by a representative in Arizona in early February, she said.
UNM student Sarah Legare attended the lecture because she wanted to hear the proposal, she said.
"It was neat to hear what is being done to improve our health care system," she said.
The plan seemed comprehensive and thorough, she said.
"Their process has a lot to be done, but the principles seemed to be good," she said. "It just made a lot of sense."
Feldblum said the only way for this to pass is for the public to try and push legislation.
The plan will be pushed for legislation in 2007, she said.
UNM student Shannon Fitzpatrick, a member of the American Medical School Association Pre-Med, said Feldblum was asked to speak to the students as a way for students to get involved in the community.
Fitzpatrick said the health care plan is a good idea. She was impressed with how receptive the presenters were, she said.
Fitzpatrick said there is a visible problem with the health care system.
"The problem with health care is it's about business and no longer about interaction with the patient and doctor," she said.
Fitzpatrick said she sees potential in the health care proposal, although it would be difficult.
"I think it will be very hard to institute. As soon as people start talking about money, they back against the wall," she said.
