New Mexico Governor Calls For Universal Health Insurance For Children

New Mexico Governor Calls For Universal Health Insurance For Children in Politics and Legislation

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is asking state lawmakers to approve a health care reform plan which would require all children to have health insurance.

State Legislature will hold a special summer session starting August 15, where Governor Richardson will push for an endorsement of the children’s health insurance mandate, reported the Associated Press and the Las Cruces Sun-News.

The plan would cost an estimated $58 million every year and provide coverage for over 50,000 children, wrote the article.

Every child up to age 18 would have to have coverage and prove they are insured when enrolling in school.

The article went on to explain that there would be no penalty for not having coverage, but the state would keep pushing parents to get their children insured.

Parents who cannot afford a private health plan for their children will have access to financial assistance from the state — either through programs to help them pay for premiums or Medicaid.

“The message to parents is that you need to get your kids covered, and there [are] lots of options available to do that," said Pam Hyde, the state Secretary of Human Services.”

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