A. The legislature finds that good health is among our most cherished desires. To achieve optimal health requires both individual and collective responsibility and action, and therefore, state government must assume a leadership role by establishing and implementing policies in all aspects of health. In order to fulfill its proper leadership obligation within public resource constraints, the state must perform a variety of carefully tailored roles in concert with individuals, the private sector and local, federal and tribal governments.

B. The legislature also finds that health care requires a growing portion of the state’s public and private resources and impacts a broad segment of the state’s economy; a need, therefore, exists to establish an entity for research, guidance and recommendations on health policy and planning issues.

C. The purpose of the New Mexico health policy commission is to provide a forum for the discussion of complex and controversial health policy and planning issues and for the creative exploration of ideas, issues and problems surrounding health policy and planning, including the interrelations with education, the environment and economic well-being.

D. It is the policy of the state of New Mexico to promote optimal health; to prevent disease, disability and premature death; to improve the quality of life; and to assure that basic health services are available, accessible, acceptable and culturally appropriate, regardless of financial status. This policy shall be realized through the following organized efforts:

(1)     education, motivation and support of the individual in healthy behavior; (2)     protection and improvement of the physical and social environments;

(3)     promotion of health services for early diagnosis and prevention of disease and disability; and

(4)     provisions of basic treatment services needed by all New Mexicans.