SANTA FE — Following vigorous debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, a substitute bill for HB 62, namely Gov. Bill Richardson’s health insurance plan, has passed with a vote of 37 to 31.

Debate was lively for hours as a number of amendments to the bill were introduced and/or argued by members from both sides of the House. Only two amendments passed the House before the final vote was taken.

One feature of The Health Solutions New Mexico Act, as the bill is called, would transfer administrative authority of health coverage programs in the state to a newly-created Health Care Authority. One of those health coverage programs belongs to the Retired Public Employees of New Mexico which manages its own funds.

During discussions on the House floor, Larry Larranaga (R-Bernalillo) said he has received “hundreds” of e-mails from retirees and their families in the program who “strongly oppose” their health care plan being administered by anyone other than their own authority.

Following the vote, Gardner (R-Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Roosevelt) said “we’re passing health care reform with a wink and a nod and it’s not true reform. In fact, this is the largest unfunded mandate I’ve seen since I’ve been a representative.”

“Although we appreciate getting some amendments passed, this bill, which amounts to government-run health care, is anti-insurance and bad for small businesses and retirees in the state,” said Dan Foley (R-Chaves, Lincoln, Otero).

Justine Fox-Young (R-Bernalillo) agreed with Foley adding that an overwhelming number of New Mexicans are opposed to government-run health care.