By Daniel Montaño, KUNM
After the defeat of Senate Bill 14 last week, House Democrats are using a so-called “emergency bill” to take its place to give permanent oversight of hospital mergers and corporate takeovers a second chance in the New Mexico Legislature. House Bill 586 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Saturday.
Emergency bills were originally filed before the deadline for new bills, but intentionally left mostly blank at the time, giving legislation that failed or was tabled a second chance at getting passed.
HB586 was then fleshed out with a substantial committee amendment outlining the details of the new oversight bill.
With the defeat of SB14, there would have been no potential oversight of hospital takeovers, and secretary for the Department of Health Gina de Blasio said that could have meant poor health outcomes for patients.
“This legislation is really important, she said. “It’s really about protecting access to care in New Mexico, and particularly for rural communities.”
HB586 has less oversight and regulation than was offered by SB14, which led to its defeat in the face of overwhelming industry pushback, but the new bill does include whistleblower protections, and moves enforcement from the office of the Superintendent of Insurance, to the Healthcare Authority.
Before last year, New Mexico was one of only 11 states that had no oversight of hospital mergers, acquisitions and private equity takeovers. Studies show that those takeovers can sometimes lead to worse patient outcomes, so a temporary bill with basic oversight was passed last legislative session, which was set to expire this year.
HB586 was modeled after last year’s temporary bill, with further protections added and the removal of the sunsetting period, meaning the bill would be permanent if it is able to get through the legislature before this Saturday, the last day of the session.
Since Saturday’s vote, HB586 also passed a full house floor vote on Monday, and the Senate Tax, business and Transportation Committee today.
This story originally appeared at KUNM and is republished with permission.
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