New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HM35: PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE & CONCURRENT CARE
Status: Passed both chambers, February 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
A MEMORIAL REQUESTING THE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT A STATE PLAN AMENDMENT TO CREATE A PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE BENEFIT UNDER MEDICAID THAT ALLOWS CONCURRENT CURATIVE CARE. WHEREAS, children in New Mexico with serious, complex or life-limiting medical conditions often experience repeated hospitalizations, emergency room visits and prolonged suffering that could be alleviated through pediatric palliative care; and WHEREAS, pediatric palliative care provides comprehensive, family-centered services focused on pain and symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual support and care coordination, which can be delivered concurrently with curative treatment; and WHEREAS, because pediatric hospice care under current medicaid rules is limited to children with a terminal prognosis of six months or less and often carries a stigma associated with end-of-life care, many families decline these services even when their child would benefit from supportive care; and WHEREAS, the New Mexico medicaid managed care program currently lacks a pediatric palliative care benefit, preventing access to supportive services that are available in other states through approved medicaid state plan HM Page amendments; and WHEREAS, expanding access to pediatric hospice services and ensuring that hospice programs have the clinical and financial support needed to care for children will complement the development of a pediatric palliative care benefit and ensure a full continuum of care for families; and WHEREAS, a 2024 proposal by the university of …
Sponsors
- Jenifer Jones (R, HD-032) · primary sponsor
- Kristina Ortez (D, HD-042)
Latest actions
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
- : Signed by one or both houses (for legislation not requiring Governor's signature)
Subjects: INSURANCE, MEMORIALS, OTHER
Common questions
- What is HM35?
- HM35 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE & CONCURRENT CARE.
- What is the status of HM35?
- Passed both chambers as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0 (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HM35?
- Jenifer Jones (R, HD-032), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HM35?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=M&legNo=35&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.