Re: Florida Medicaid vs New Mexico

[Guest guest]

November 16, 2001 Rob Maruca, Director of Medicaid Human Services Department, Medical Assistance Division PO Box 2348 Santa Fe, NM 87504-2348 Dear Director Maruca: I respectfully submit to you a copy of a letter from the Medicaid Development Program in the State of Florida (dated 11/7/01). As you will read, Florida Medicaid reimburses for hyperbaric oxygen treatments with no limitations to eligible recipients under the age of 21 years. Furthermore, they will provide transportation to the nearest facility if one is not available at the local hospital. I am sure you could imagine what the costs would be to transport all brain injured New Mexican children to Santa Fe, but that is what Florida Medicaid is willing to do. I am not asking you to provide transportation, but I am asking you to take another look again at this situation. Next year, there will be Congressional Hearings on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for brain injury, and the recommendations of technology assessment groups that have refused to acknowledge the current medical research in this area will be silenced and, in all likelihood, a recommendation from Congress will come from these hearings that will provide even greater access to HBOT for eligible patients. The question is whether New Mexico can take its place as a humanitarian, progressive, and compassionate place for these special need children, or whether we want to be dragged into helping provide available therapies. I also want you to know that my correspondences to you are being read by many concerned individuals, and as you already know I have the support of the Brain Injury Association, and the Brain Injury Service Fund. In fact, these letters are going all over the USA, so please take this into consideration as well. I sincerely hope it will not be necessary to drag the HSD across the finish line, but I am fully prepared to be one of many who will gladly grab whatever appendage is available and pull New Mexico into the 21st Century. Sincerely, Stoller, MD, FAAP