ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Health insurance companies would have to help the state purchase vaccines for privately insured children in New Mexico under legislation proposed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.

New Mexico is among a handful of states that operate universal vaccine purchasing programs aimed at boosting immunization rates. But here, paying into the program is voluntary.

Lawmakers say that needs to change to ensure the state has enough funding to cover the vaccine needs of all New Mexico children.

Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque, said the bill would help the state maintain its momentum as it works to keep immunization rates from slipping. Over the past decade, the state has pulled itself from the bottom of the list and is now close to the national average.

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