Bill > SB405

This bill, the Medicaid Buy-in Act, aims to establish a state-administered public option health care coverage plan that leverages the Medicaid coverage structure. The key provisions include: 1. Establishing the Medicaid Buy-in Plan by January 1, 2021, which would be available to certain uninsured residents who are ineligible for Medicaid, Medicare, or Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. The plan would cover a range of essential health benefits, and the Department of Human Services would be authorized to expand eligibility to other residents. 2. Requiring the Department to develop an affordability scale for premiums and cost-sharing fees based on household income, and to set premiums at a level to offset the plan's costs. 3. Creating the Health Care Affordability and Access Improvement Fund to ensure affordability of the Medicaid Buy-in Plan for enrollees. 4. Directing the Department to conduct further study on the viability of offering the Medicaid Buy-in Plan to a wider population and to seek any necessary federal waivers. 5. Establishing a Medicaid Buy-in Advisory Council to advise the Department on implementation, affordability, enrollment, and other aspects of the plan. The bill also includes an appropriation of $12 million from the general fund for implementation and administration of the Medicaid Buy-in Plan, as well as $12 million for the Health Care Affordability and Access Improvement Fund.

Government Affairs

https://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislation.aspx?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=405&year=19