An interim legislative committee has been appointed to study all aspects of the Medicaid program, in hopes of finding ways to match the program's services and eligibility levels with the level of resources that the state wants to provide for the program. Although the federal government provides at least 75% of the cost of most Medicaid programs, the state must provide the remaining portion.

The committee is expected to review the scope and amount of services provided in the various programs funded by Medicaid, and look at ways of increasing efficiency and limiting future growth of the program. It will also review the eligibility guidelines to consider whether they should reduce the number of people who qualify.

Medicaid currently funds a number of vital disability programs, including the waiver programs for Developmental Disabilities and for the Disabled and Elderly, the Personal Care Option, and the Working Disabled program. It also funds all traditional medical care for disabled recipients of SSI and other people with disabilities who qualify for any Medicaid program.

To assist the legislative committee, an 18-member advisory committee has also been appointed. Six members of this advisory committee were appointed by the governor, and twelve by the legislature (six by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, six by the Speaker of the House). None of these 18 members represent the disability community, although one of the members - Nancy Koenigsberg of the NM Center on Law and Poverty - is a former P&A staff attorney.

The committee can be contacted through the Legislative Council Service at 986-4600.