New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico SM2: PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE MEDICAID BENEFIT
Status: Passed both chambers, February 9, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, February 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 SM 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
- Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039) · primary sponsor
- Craig W. Brandt (R, SD-040)
- Pete Campos (D, SD-008)
- Nicole Tobiassen (R, SD-021)
Latest actions
- : Signed by one or both houses (for legislation not requiring Governor's signature)
- : Passed in the Senate - Y:37 N:0
- : SHPAC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : SRC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to SRC - Referrals: SRC/SHPAC
Subjects: MEMORIALS, OTHER, HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES
Common questions
- What is SM2?
- SM2 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE MEDICAID BENEFIT.
- What is the status of SM2?
- Passed both chambers as of February 9, 2026. Latest action: Signed by one or both houses (for legislation not requiring Governor's signature) (February 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored SM2?
- Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics (D, SD-039), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SM2?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legType=M&legNo=2&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.