(The Center Square) – New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed several bills into law last week that she hopes will improve healthcare affordability.

“Delivering quality healthcare to New Mexico’s population requires a tailored approach that takes into account rural communities, New Mexicans benefiting from Medicaid, and the tens of thousands of public employees in our state,” Lujan Grisham said in a press release from her office. “These are bills that are going to positively impact a vast swath of New Mexicans.”

Lujan Grisham signed the healthcare bills during a ceremony at Sierra Vista Hospital in Truth or Consequences.

“The signing of this legislation brings immediate assistance to our community by helping us meet the needs of our residents and the thousands of New Mexicans who frequent Elephant Butte State Park and Lake annually,” Frank Cochran, CEO of Sierra Vista Hospital said. “Furthermore, the funds allocated through this legislation will stabilize our current operations and allow us to expand our much-needed behavioral health capacity, surgical services, and establish additional services.”

One bill she signed was House Bill 7. The bill deals with the Healthcare Affordability Fund — something that has saved New Mexicans about $45 million on health insurance premiums since 2021, the release said.

“The bill maintains a 55 percent premium surtax distribution to the fund ensuring ongoing future support for the program,” the release said..

“Since it was created in 2021, the Healthcare Affordability Fund has made our state healthier by helping tens of thousands of New Mexicans attain affordable health insurance,” said House Majority Whip Reena Szczepanski, a lead sponsor on the bill. “House Bill 7 will sustain the Healthcare Affordability Fund so that workers continue to get the coverage they need, small businesses can offer the benefits their employees deserve, and we can keep cutting New Mexico’s uninsured rate, which will reduce costs for everyone.”

Another bill Lujan Grisham signed into law was Senate Bill 14. It created a Health Care Authority for the state.

“The Health Care Authority will enhance coordination in the purchasing of health care for the state’s 180,000 public employees with a focus on improving plan design and affordability, the release said.