In October 2003, New Mexico received a $905,000 grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to focus on the state's uninsured population in two primary ways: first, through the development of data about New Mexico's uninsured, their barriers to health care coverage, and the types of coverage that would meet their needs; and second, through financial and actuarial analyses of health coverage options for the uninsured, and potential impact on the state's economy and its health care networks.

Through this project, Human Services Department (HSD) hopes to determine the feasibility, compatibility and affordability of several reform options intended to reduce the number of uninsured and increase access to health care in the state. The HRSA project has contracted with William Mercer, Inc., to conduct a comprehensive assessment of financial data and provide cost analyses of the reform options that will be offered for further consideration. HSD is convening a group of stakeholders to review and advise on the project.

For more information on the project, contact Sharon Stevenson, the HRSA Assistant Project Director, at 827-1340 in Santa Fe.