Roswell Daily Record
Vol. 122, No. 275 75¢ Daily / $1.25 Sunday
THE VOICE OF THE PECOS VALLEY
November 16, 2013
www.rdrnews.com
SATURDAY
Source: New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange
Steve Stone Graphics
Left: Graph showing how New Mexican residents are using the federal health insurance exchange. Above: Graph showing usage of the Small business Health Options Program (SHOP). SHOP is overseen by NMHIX and offers exchange plans to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Enrollment in SHOP is optional for employers.
NMHIX seeks to prevent insurance coverage gaps TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
The New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange (NMHIX) board of directors focused its Friday meeting at ENMU-Roswell on trouble shooting possible gaps in insurance coverage for some groups. The anticipated gaps stem from many being unable to enroll in health plans through the federal health exchange. The exchange was created as part of the Affordable Care Act and offers subsidized health plans to households that make up
to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. New Mexico currently runs on the federal exchange, but will adopt its own exchange within the next year. NMHIX will run the state exchange.
The board moved to request the federal government allow the state to extend the life of State Coverage Insurance (SCI) and pledged to work to deter coverage gaps for members of the Federal High Risk Pool.
“We are working with [the federal government] to come up with any alternative that can be provided if
the website does not go up and people cannot enroll,” said NMHIX Interim CEO Mike Nunez.
SCI is a state-run health plan providing coverage for low-income New Mexicans who do not qualify for Medicaid. The program falls under the umbrella of Medicaid and requires a waiver from federal agency Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to operate. The waiver ends Dec. 31. The deadline for Jan. 1 coverage through the exchange is Dec. 15. However, glitches in the exchange website have
prevented SCI members from enrolling. Sidonie Squier, secretary of the state Human Services Department (HSD), which oversees Medicaid programs in the state, said about 10,000 of SCI’s 50,000 members qualify for subsidized plans through the exchange. The rest will qualify for Medicaid, which is being expanded as part of ACA. “Unless they let us extend the SCI, people are not going to have insurance,” said Squier. Squier and Nunez said See NMHIX, Page A3
New health plan model available for New Mexicans TESS TOWNSEND RECORD STAFF WRITER
New Mexico is one of 23 states with a unique addition to the health insurance market as part of the Affordable Care Act. In these states, the federal gov-
ernment is funding new health insurance-company co-ops to promote competition among insurance carriers. New Mexico Health Connections was creat-
See MODEL, Page A3
Job Corps cuts the ribbon on new facility
Jessica Palmer Photo
Roswell Police Chief Phil Smith brings more than 28 years and several generations of experience, along with a new perspective, to the RPD.
Police Chief Smith brings a different approach to department, community
Mark Wilson Photos
Top: Roswell Job Corps students line up outside the new Administration Building during an open house and ribbon cutting, Friday afternoon. The Administration Building along with the new Trade Building underwent an 18 month remodeling facelift, transforming them from vacant, unused facilities into usable structures. Right: Roswell Job Corps instructor Ralph Cobos gives a tour of the recently remodeled Trade Building, Friday afternoon.
JESSICA PALMER RECORD STAFF WRITER
Roswell’s new Police Chief Phil Smith is pleased with his new post and admits this is part of a long-term plan, but such was not always the case. Career goals changed with the birth of his first child, Kaitlyn. Before, he was content to remain on patrol and coach high school wrestling. After Kaitlyn’s birth, he began to think in terms of spe-
HIGH 75 LOW 50
TODAY’S FORECAST
• MARCELLE MILLER • JAMES “JIM” GROSECLOSE • HENRY DALE BARTON
• LESLIE EARNEST • MARY WILSON
TODAY’S OBITUARIES PAGE B4
CLASSIFIEDS ..........B6 COMICS .................B5 ENTERTAINMENT .....A8 GENERAL ...............A2
cific goals and career advancement to ensure quality of life for Kaitlyn, who is now 21 years old. Kaitlyn was later joined by brother Philip and sister Payton. Smith will apply the same concept to his job of chief. “We often discuss how we can enhance quality of life for all of Roswell’s citizens,” he said. “Only a small segment of society are offenders. We’re See SMITH, Page A3
INDEX HOROSCOPES .........A8 LOTTERIES .............A2 OPINION .................A4 RECORDS ...............B4
SPORTS .................B1 STOCKS .................B3
WEATHER ..............A8