The Senate Finance Committee voted March 6, 2025, to advance legislation that would remove a sunset on a policy eliminating most copays and coinsurance for behavioral‑health services in certain insurance products, after adopting an amendment clarifying the measure applies to in‑network care and addressing high‑deductible plan language.

The committee unanimously adopted the amendment on a voice/roll call after a motion by Senator Gonzales, seconded by Senator Trudeau; the clerk recorded the amendment as adopted 8‑0. Later the committee voted 5‑4 to give the underlying bill a “do pass” recommendation to the full Senate.

The amendment narrows the bill’s cost‑sharing elimination to in‑network care and removes a clause about zero cost‑sharing for emergency and urgent care that some carriers already did not charge. Committee members and the bill sponsor cited a Fiscal Impact Report (FIR) dated 03/06/2025 and an OSI actuarial review that, according to testimony in the hearing, indicated the change would have no additional financial impact on the state Health Care Authority in most plans and had minimal premium impact in one plan.

In committee testimony, Brent Moore, a registered lobbyist for America’s Health Insurance Plans, opposed removing the sunset now and asked that ongoing studies be completed before making the policy permanent. “We stand in opposition to the bill,” Moore said, arguing that waiving cost sharing is reflected in premiums and that some premium increases occurred before implementation.

Marla Schoetz, a registered lobbyist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico, also opposed immediate removal of the sunset and urged allowing more time for the originally planned evaluation window.

Supporters, including the bill’s sponsor and plan representatives, said initial experience showed lower emergency‑department visits and inpatient discharges after removing cost barriers to behavioral health care. A witness who identified the plan experience as New Mexico Health Connections and representatives from True Health New Mexico described work with Milliman, an actuarial firm, and said the plan’s market performance and independent actuarial review supported making the change permanent. Senator Trujillo, a primary co‑sponsor, said the policy had improved access for first responders and others and credited it with meaningful improvements for families: “It does a lot for the people who benefit from it,” Trujillo said.

Committee members asked several technical and oversight questions. One member sought clarification about high‑deductible health plans; staff and the sponsor said the bill’s language was intended to align with IRS guidance so those plans could require the deductible be met before the zero cost‑sharing applies. Committee discussion also referenced published academic work and federal grant activity studying the policy’s effects; supporters said multisite research and grant funding supported the approach, while insurers urged caution until longer‑term data are available.

On procedure, the amendment was moved by Senator Gonzales and seconded by Senator Trudeau and was recorded as adopted 8‑0. The committee later took a motion to advance the bill (moved by Senator Steinborn) and recorded a committee recommendation of “do pass,” 5 in favor and 4 opposed. The roll call recorded some individual votes: Senator Brandt voted no on the final motion; Senator Gonzales voted yes; Senator Lanier voted no. The clerk announced the committee “do pass” tally as 5‑4.

The measure now moves to the full Senate. Committee testimony and the FIR will be part of the legislative record for further consideration.

Details in the record include the FIR date (03/06/2025), an OSI actuarial review that reported no impact on rates except in one plan, and the original implementation date of the policy (effective July 1, 2022), which witnesses cited when urging the removal of the sunset.

Votes at a glance: amendment adopted 8‑0 (motion: Senator Gonzales; second: Senator Trudeau). Committee recommendation on the bill: do pass, 5‑4 (motion to advance moved by Senator Steinborn; second not specified). Known individual votes on the final motion as announced in committee: Sen. Brandt — no; Sen. Gonzales — yes; Sen. Lanier — no.

No final Senate action was taken in the committee hearing; the committee recommendation sends the bill to the full Senate for further debate and a possible floor vote.