LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson proposed his 2009 health care legislation package Monday morning.
Nearly a quarter of New Mexicans are without health insurance including 18 percent of children, but the governor is proposing 10 bills that will help ensure more people across the state.
“I don't have any so any kind of state help would be nice,” said Troy Scoughton of South Las Cruces.
He is hoping for benefits soon.
“Me and my wife are having a baby, so we've got Medicaid, but it's real limited. If she needed dental care we really couldn't get any,” he said.
One bill proposed states that insurance companies would cover everyone regardless of preexicting conditions or sex.
"It's something that need to be thought about in our area. There is the low income residents and poverty near the border,” said Rachel Martinez of North Las Cruces.
“I think insurance has become such a business rather than actuall care,” said Emily Poppenberg of Central Las Cruces.
Not everyone agrees the governor's idea is the right way to go.
“That doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. Insurace companies have to be able to make money to provide insurance for those who can use it,” said Luke Wyatt of Alamogordo.
The package also includes a same-sex provision in which insurance companies would have to cover same-sex couples if they lived together for at least a year.
“If they can ask for insurance and they can't turn you down, then why not get it individually,” Poppenberg said.
“I don't like that arrangement for marriage and living together. I have a little more respect for marriage than that,” Wyatt said.
The Legislature is working to get everyone insured, but they know the money is tight.
“Now since I don't have insurance I have to pay out of pocket and it's really expensive,” said Scoughton.
Another bill prosed includes electronic medical records. The governor would like more use of the electronic records to cut down on errors and save money.
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