Sen. Martin Hickey

Maddy summarySB 389 extends the delay of repealing New Mexico's Health Care Consolidation Oversight Act, pushing the effective repeal date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects healthcare providers and oversight bodies subject to the consolidation rules, as it maintains the current regulatory framework for one additional year. The key provision amends Section 9 of the 2024 law to update the repeal date, with no changes to the underlying regulations. The bill does not alter healthcare policy but adjusts the timeline for implementing the repeal.

Maddy summarySB 20 increases cigarette and tobacco product taxes in New Mexico, directly affecting consumers who purchase these products. It raises tax rates, expands the definition of "tobacco product" to include all nicotine sources, and creates a new Nicotine Use Prevention and Control Fund. Revenue from the tax increases will fund state health programs targeting youth and young adults (ages 5-25) to prevent nicotine use, administered by the Department of Health with funds distributed to specific health initiatives like cancer centers and rural treatment programs. The bill also adjusts existing tax distribution formulas for state health programs.

Maddy summaryHB 461 would require New Mexico health insurers to establish a process allowing qualified health care professionals (like doctors and specialists) to bypass prior authorization for outpatient services. To qualify, a professional must have at least 90% of their prior authorization requests approved in the previous six-month period (an "evaluation period"). Insurers must grant exemptions within 10 business days if criteria are met, and can only rescind exemptions after reviewing a random sample of 5-20 claims and providing 25 days' notice, unless fraud or abuse is suspected. Health care professionals denied or having exemptions rescinded can request an independent review by a licensed physician within 30 days, with insurers covering review costs.

Maddy summaryThis New Mexico bill requires state license applications for hunting, fishing, and concealed handgun permits to include a checkbox allowing applicants to indicate their status as organ donors. The legislation establishes a statewide registry managed by the Motor Vehicle Division where these donor preferences are recorded and maintained. Authorized medical personnel can access the registry to verify a person's donor status before or after their death, ensuring their wishes are honored. The bill also mandates that specific donor language be printed on all application forms starting January 1, 2026, and requires witnesses to sign the forms for new donors.

Maddy summaryHB 247, the Health Care Practitioner Transparency Act, requires all licensed health care practitioners in New Mexico (including nurses, therapists, dentists, and others) to clearly disclose their credentials during patient interactions. It mandates visible identifiers showing the practitioner's name and license type, prohibits misleading titles (like "Doctor" for non-physicians without clarification), and sets advertising rules requiring license details in public communications. The law exempts sterile environments (e.g., operating rooms) and mental health settings where identifiers might disrupt care. It applies to practitioners in clinics, hospitals, and facilities but does not create private legal claims for violations.

Maddy summarySB 278 requires most health insurance plans in New Mexico to cover coronary artery calcium screening scans without deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for eligible individuals. It directly affects adults aged 45-65 with intermediate heart disease risk, as determined by their healthcare provider using standard risk assessment tools. Key provisions mandate coverage every four years if a prior scan showed zero calcium, no repeat coverage if a scan shows calcium buildup, and exclude short-term or limited health policies. The bill applies to group health insurance, public assistance programs, and health plans under New Mexico’s insurance laws.

Maddy summarySB 119 authorizes the New Mexico Bioscience Authority to invest in bioscience companies operating in New Mexico or relocating to New Mexico, requiring each company to maintain a minimum of five in-state employees with an average annual salary of $60,000. The bill establishes assessment criteria for investments, including market opportunity, financial stability, and projected economic benefits over five years, and mandates co-investing with qualified external organizations where the state provides no more than one-third of the total investment. Investment contracts require companies to either fully reimburse the state if they fail to meet obligations or demonstrate that their economic benefits to New Mexico exceeded the state's investment cost. The bill also creates a Bioscience Development Fund to manage these investments, with repayment priority in bankruptcy scenarios. (Note: Bill was postponed indefinitely in June 2025.)

Maddy summarySB 263 requires New Mexico health insurers to establish procedures for granting exemptions from prior authorization requests to healthcare providers who historically achieved at least 90% approval rates for those services. Insurers must approve or deny exemption requests within 10 business days, provide clear denial reasons with supporting data, and allow independent medical reviews if exemptions are rescinded. Providers can challenge rescissions through a 30-day independent review process led by licensed physicians, with insurers covering review costs. This bill directly affects healthcare providers seeking streamlined authorization and insurers managing prior authorization workflows, effective January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 463 amends New Mexico's Health Information System Act to clarify that "record-level data" includes identifiable patient information like names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. It specifically permits staff of the Legislative Finance Committee to access health claims data from insurers and payers, but only after all personal identifiers are removed and replaced with unique codes. This ensures lawmakers can review health cost and financing data without compromising patient privacy. The bill does not change how healthcare providers share data or affect patients directly, focusing solely on secure data access for legislative budget analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 517 requires public colleges and universities (post-secondary institutions) and public high schools to provide free condoms to all students. It mandates that schools make condoms available at no cost in safe, accessible locations like health centers and restrooms, with administrators consulting student health staff to determine the best distribution method. The bill directly affects students in these educational settings by ensuring access to condoms without cost. Key provisions include specific location requirements and collaboration with school health services to implement the policy. The legislation focuses on improving student access to reproductive health resources through school-based provision.