Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4263
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2014
Senator Keller Proposes Amendment That Requires State to Cover Fund Gap in Hospital Solvency Bill
Santa Fe, NM – Earlier this week, the Senate Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) passed a substitute bill for three senate bills focused on hospital solvency. The bill allows counties to impose an excise tax of one-twelfth percent of gross receipts and requires that no action for collection of claims shall be allowed against any patient deemed indigent.
SPAC Chairman, Senator Ortiz y Pino (D-12-Bernalillo) said that no one was completely happy with the substitute bill, which showed for a good compromise.“But there is still a bit of a gap of about $10 million that we’re hoping the state will cover,” he added.
With that, Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo), is proposing a Senate Finance Committee amendment to the General Appropriation Act to add $10 million in general fund dollars. This would fulfill the state’s responsibility to make up for the projected budget shortfall.
“With this substitute bill and amendment, the problem should be solved,” said Sen. Keller.
###