STUDY HIGHER ED HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

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A MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND
REPORT ON OPTIONS TO EXPAND HEALTH INSURANCE ACCESS FOR ALL
PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION EDUCATORS AND GRADUATE STUDENT
EMPLOYEES.
WHEREAS, New Mexico's public higher education
institutions rely on educators and education workers,
including full-time faculty, temporary part-time faculty and
graduate student employees, to provide instruction, research,
student support and essential campus operations; and
WHEREAS, stable access to affordable health insurance
supports workforce well-being, instructional continuity and
the ability of educators and education workers to remain in
their positions; and
WHEREAS, the availability and affordability of employer-
supported health insurance vary across New Mexico's public
higher education institutions, creating uneven access to
medical care depending on where a worker is employed; and
WHEREAS, available New Mexico data indicate that the
university of New Mexico is the only public higher education
institution in New Mexico providing employer-funded medical
insurance for graduate student employees, and no public
higher education institution provides employer-funded dental
or vision coverage for graduate student employees; and
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WHEREAS, survey findings regarding higher education
workers indicate significant financial insecurity and rent
burdens, conditions that can make health insurance premiums
and out-of-pocket medical costs unaffordable without employer
support; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico has an interest in understanding the
fiscal impact, administrative requirements and equity
implications of expanding health insurance coverage options
for public higher education educators and education workers
across institutions, including faculty, temporary part-time
faculty and graduate student employees;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the
legislative finance committee be requested to conduct a
comprehensive study and to issue a report, in collaboration
with the higher education department, the department of
finance and administration, the health care authority, the
public higher education institutions and higher education
employer and employee stakeholder organizations, on options
to expand access to health insurance to all public higher
education educators and graduate student employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study and report, at
minimum, evaluate health insurance availability and
affordability across institutions and the full range of
appointment types, including faculty, temporary part-time
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faculty and graduate student employees engaged in
instruction, instructional support, research or
degree-related academic work, and identify gaps in
eligibility, affordability and coverage; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include findings
and recommendations on:
A. options, including eligibility standards for
providing employer-supported medical coverage, and, where
feasible, dental and vision coverage for faculty, part-time
faculty and graduate student employees;
B. estimated fiscal impacts to the state and
public higher education institutions under multiple coverage
scenarios, including premium contributions, cost sharing,
administrative costs and phased implementation options;
C. potential funding approaches, including from
state, federal or private sources;
D. expected impacts on quality of life and
financial stability for affected workers, including access to
preventive care, continuity of care and mental health
services;
E. expected impacts on recruitment and retention,
workforce stability and student-facing outcomes tied to
staffing continuity; and
F. recommended data collection and reporting
standards to ensure comparable, statewide tracking of health
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coverage and costs across public higher education
institutions over time; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report be completed no
later than October 1, 2026 and be provided to the governor,
legislative finance committee, legislative education study
committee, higher education department, department of finance
and administration and health care authority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, legislative finance committee,
legislative education study committee, higher education
department, department of finance and administration and
health care authority.