A. The legislature finds that good health is among our most cherished desires. To achieve optimal health requires both individual and collective responsibility and action, and therefore, state government must assume a leadership role by establishing and implementing policies in all aspects of health. In order to fulfill its proper leadership obligation within public resource constraints, the state must perform a variety of carefully tailored roles in concert with individuals, the private sector and local, federal and tribal governments.
B. The legislature also finds that health care requires a growing portion of the state's public and private resources and impacts a broad segment of the state's economy; a need, therefore, exists to establish an entity for research, guidance and recommendations on health policy and planning issues.
C. The purpose of the New Mexico health policy commission is to provide a forum for the discussion of complex and controversial health policy and planning issues and for the creative exploration of ideas, issues and problems surrounding health policy and planning, including the interrelations with education, the environment and economic well-being.
D. It is the policy of the state of New Mexico to promote optimal health; to prevent disease, disability and premature death; to improve the quality of life; and to assure that basic health services are available, accessible, acceptable and culturally appropriate, regardless of financial status. This policy shall be realized through the following organized efforts:
(1) education, motivation and support of the individual in healthy behavior;
(2) protection and improvement of the physical and social environments;
(3) promotion of health services for early diagnosis and prevention of disease and disability; and
(4) provisions of basic treatment services needed by all New Mexicans.
History: Laws 1991, ch. 139, § 1.
Effective dates. — Laws 1991, ch. 139 contained no effective date provision, but, pursuant to N.M. Const., art. IV, § 23, was effective June 14, 1991, 90 days after the adjournment of the legislature.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 9 - Executive Department
Article 7 - Department of Health
Section 9-7-4 - Department established.
Section 9-7-4.1 - State health improvement plan.
Section 9-7-5 - Secretary of health; appointment.
Section 9-7-6 - Secretary; duties and general powers.
Section 9-7-6.4 - Interagency behavioral health purchasing collaborative.
Section 9-7-6.5 - Agreements for a replacement facility for Fort Bayard medical center.
Section 9-7-6.6 - Gambling addiction data collection.
Section 9-7-9 - Bureaus; chiefs.
Section 9-7-9.1 - Department of health; office of oral health; director.
Section 9-7-10.1 - Rehabilitation centers.
Section 9-7-11 - Advisory committees.
Section 9-7-11.1 - Findings and purpose.
Section 9-7-11.2 - New Mexico health policy commission created; composition; duties.
Section 9-7-11.3 - Task force created; responsibilities; participants; funding.
Section 9-7-11.4 - Compulsive gambling council; duties; membership.
Section 9-7-16 - Rate equalization for community-based service contractors.