I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Theresa Becenti-Aguilar‘s top priority on the Public Regulation Commission (PRC) will be empowering PRC employees, she told staffers this week — but protecting consumers will be a close second, she said.
The Insurance Division’s negotiation of a controversial Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico health insurance rate hike without public hearings was “not right,” she told The Independent.
Becenti-Aguilar was appointed Tuesday as the newest member of the powerful five-person Commission, in the midst of a power struggle between the Commission and its semi-autonomous state Insurance Division over health insurance rates.
Becenti-Aguilar has been discussing the Blue Cross Blue Shield rate hike with other commissioners, she said.
She remained circumspect about her potential role in the power struggle, emphasizing the importance of consensus-building among both staff and commissioners.
“I’ve been following it on the Internet and want an opportunity to consult with them on the Blue Cross Blue Shield, (Division, and) rate proposals,” she said. “I’m going to be studying the issues before I make any decisions that affect the residents of New Mexico.”
Becenti-Aguilar pledged Monday to work with the industries regulated by the PRC while protecting consumers.
But in a speech to PRC employees, Becenti-Aguilar spoke in favor of “legislation that would improve how we work as a commission,” an apparent reference to calls for new legislation that would restructure the Commission’s oversight of the Insurance Division.
She did not elaborate, but expressed support for greater transparency and public involvement in health insurance rate setting.
Becenti-Aguilar supports the planned Aug. 25 public hearing to review the Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance rate hike settlement. The Division negotiated a rate hike settlement with the company over a weekend prior to a scheduled public hearing, a move that prompted commissioners’ outrage and efforts to exert more control over the Insurance Division.
“It was not right,” Becenti-Aguilar told The Independent. “They closed the door. I will work to make sure every constituent who wants to have their voice heard will get a fair hearing.”
Commissioner Jason Marks had condemned the settlement as “a back room deal.” Marks and Commissioner Jerome Block Jr. have called for automatic PRC reviews and public hearings when health insurance companies’ rate hike requests exceed 10 percent.
“I’m almost the same as commissioner (Jason) Marks on this,” Becenti-Aguilar told The Independent.
Becenti-Aguilar is the only woman, Native American and former PRC staffer on the Commission, which oversees the state’s insurance, telecommunications, utilities and transportation industries, and the state Fire Marshal’s office. She served as the PRC’s Native American liaison for more than two years, and is well regarded by PRC staffers and commissioners contacted by The Independent.
Immediately after being sworn in Tuesday, Becenti-Aguilar met with dozens of PRC staffers.
She pledged to be an advocate for staff on the Commission.
“The reason I put employees ahead of any other issues is I was an employee here for two years and five months,” she told PRC employees. “When I sought advice or assistance, it was not there. I know a lot of staff feel the same way.”
Becenti-Aguilar will hold the PRC district 4 seat through December, but faces a Republican challenger, Gary Montoya, in November’s general election.
