This bill proposes the establishment of a pediatric palliative care benefit under New Mexico's Medicaid program, allowing for concurrent curative care for children with serious, complex, or life-limiting medical conditions. The current Medicaid rules limit pediatric hospice care to children with a terminal prognosis of six months or less, which often deters families from accessing necessary supportive services. The bill aims to create a comprehensive, family-centered approach to care that includes pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, and care coordination, thereby improving the quality of life for affected children and their families.

The resolution requests the health care authority to develop and submit a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which would outline the eligibility criteria, interdisciplinary team standards, and quality measures for the proposed pediatric palliative care benefit. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of consulting with relevant stakeholders, including pediatric care providers and family advocates, to ensure the effective implementation of this benefit. It also calls for an update on the progress of the state plan amendment by October 1, 2026, and encourages strategies to enhance access to pediatric hospice care and support for providers.