NM HM4

Requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study and report on options to expand health insurance access for public higher education educators, including full-time faculty, temporary part-time faculty, and graduate student employees

University of New Mexico is currently the only public higher education institution in the state providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate student employees; no institution provides employer-funded dental or vision coverage for graduate students

Study must be conducted in collaboration with the Higher Education Department, Department of Finance and Administration, Health Care Authority, public higher education institutions, and stakeholder organizations

Report must include estimated fiscal impacts under multiple coverage scenarios, potential funding approaches from state/federal/private sources, and expected impacts on worker quality of life, recruitment, retention, and workforce stability

Report deadline is October 1, 2026, to be provided to the governor, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, and relevant state agencies