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Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that makes it easier to get information about pricing, rates of medical complications and re-admissions at specific hospitals. <\/p>\n
The law requires the state Health Department by January 2017 to post hospital-specific cost and quality of care information on an easily searchable website that consumers can access free of charge. <\/p>\n
Mike Donnelly, health advocacy director for AARP New Mexico, said information on hospital pricing and health outcomes would help members decide where to go for care. <\/p>\n
About a third of our membership is below Medicare eligibility age, and they are trying to make prudent decisions on health care on quality terms and cost differentials, Donnelly said. <\/p>\n
Hospitals and health facilities already are required to report an extensive list of information to the state Department of Health, including medical and practice outcomes and health-system costs. But the department has not been allowed to present the information in a way that identifies a hospital or other type of health facility. <\/p>\n
Under the legislation, the health secretary will appoint a committee to recommend how to carry out the required provisions. <\/p>\n
New Mexico Hospital Association President and CEO Jeff Dye said his organization will work with the committee. <\/p>\n
The legislation was a committee substitute for SB 323, sponsored by Sen. Mark Moores, R-Albuquerque, and SB 474, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, and Sen. Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque. <\/p>\n
A legislative impact report for SB474 said the health department currently collects the amount listed on the hospital bill. However, the actual price a health plan ends up paying is not collected, and the department will have to develop a system for doing so. <\/p>\n
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Consumers to get easier access to hospital data<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ........................................................................................................................................................................................ Gov. Susana Martinez has signed legislation that makes it easier to get information about pricing, rates of medical complications and re-admissions at specific hospitals Continue reading