New Mexico Statutes Chapter 27. Public Assistance § 27-2-2. Definitions

A. “department” means the human services department [health care authority department];

B. “board” means the human services department [health care authority department];

C. “director” means the secretary of human services;

D. “local office” means the county or district office of the human services department [health care authority department];

E. “medicaid advisory committee” means the body, established by federal law, that advises the New Mexico medicaid program on policy development and program administration;

F. “medicaid forward plan” means a health care coverage plan that leverages the medicaid program to provide a state-administered health care coverage option;

G. “public welfare” or “public assistance” means any aid or relief granted to or on behalf of an eligible person under the Public Assistance Act and regulations issued pursuant to that act;

H. “applicant” means a person who has applied for assistance or services under the Public Assistance Act;

I. “recipient” means a person who is receiving assistance or services under the Public Assistance Act;

J. “federal act” means the federal Social Security Act,  1 as may be amended from time to time, and regulations issued pursuant to that act; and

K. “secretary” means the secretary of human services.