As the state looks for ways to streamline Medicaid costs, it will hold several public meetings around the state to gather input on new concepts for the program.

"New Mexico is eager to begin working toward changing the Medicaid program in a way that will offer affordable health insurance coverage to more uninsured New Mexicans," Katie Falls, Human Services Department secretary-designate said in a statement.

"The options presented will closely align New Mexico's health reform efforts with those of the federal government, resulting in an important movement and culture shift toward quality-driven, fiscally and administratively efficient coverage."

The "Medicaid Coverage Concept" that will be presented and discussed aims to provide "affordable health insurance options to the uninsured through the Medicaid program, and through hybrid public/private programs such as the State Coverage Insurance," according to the department.

Two of the ideas include:

• Benefit options that aren't covered under the State Coverage Plan could be made available as benefit riders for residents who have the Medicaid Service Plan and State Coverage Plan beneficiaries. The benefits could include vision and dental services.

• The option for some employer groups to buy in to the State Coverage Plan, and possibly the Medicaid Service Plan, "to facilitate coverage for working individuals and their families above State Coverage Plan eligibility levels."

Some of the area meetings are as follows:

• In Española on Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Española City Hall.

• In Albuquerque on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, Pugash Hall.

• In Las Vegas on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Highlands University Leveo Sanchez Lecture Hall.

• The department also plans a tribal consultation on Dec. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Sandia Casino.

A copy of the draft Medicaid Coverage Concept is at www.hsd.state.nm.us under "What's New."

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.