One-Third of New Mexicans Don’t Seek Health Care Due to Cost: This Proposal Would Change That
By Kelsey Wulfkuhle
Earlier this month, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and state legislators set New Mexico on the path to drastically increasing access to affordable and dependable quality health care by enacting HB 400, a bill that would begin the process of building New Mexico’s Medicaid Forward program by commissioning a study to explore its potential impact and framework. An innovative approach to building a state coverage option for millions of New Mexicans, Medicaid Forward would unlock New Mexico’s Medicaid income cap and allow people seeking coverage across the state to access affordable care by buying into the Medicaid system. United States of Care (USofCare) was proud to support the advocates and community leaders who led the charge on this proposal, and with these first steps towards implementing this program, New Mexico is helping to reduce costs and expand access to care for thousands of people.
Key Context
Looking closer at New Mexico’s health care landscape, it’s clear just how impactful the implementation of Medicaid Forward would be in the state. Over one-third of uninsured New Mexicans identified the high cost of health care as the major reason for not seeking care, and 80% of New Mexicans reported being worried about the future cost of care. All the while, private insurance companies are posting record profits, with premiums and out-of-pocket costs continuing to rise to new levels. With this in mind, New Mexico is a prime candidate for a state coverage option, and New Mexico’s policymakers and advocates are working to make this a reality with Medicaid Forward.
Medicaid Forward In Depth
HB 400 will help New Mexico determine the best approach to implementing this new state coverage option by playing to the state’s unique advantages and strengths. By leveraging New Mexico’s high Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP), the state would be able to reduce the burden on state revenues while building out a competitive option that works within New Mexico’s existing health care framework. In other words, by unlocking Medicaid’s income cap and allowing all New Mexicans the option to buy into the comprehensive plans currently available to Medicaid beneficiaries, New Mexico would reduce costs by introducing more competition in the insurance market, increase dependability by providing people with an affordable plan not guided by the profit margins of for-profit insurers, and expand access by providing New Mexicans with additional coverage opportunities to explore. As New Mexico begins the process of launching the study commissioned by HB 400, we will continue to learn more about the positive impact Medicaid Forward would have on health equity, access, and costs in New Mexico, ensuring its design is tailored to the needs of New Mexico’s communities.
Our Take
As states across the nation continue to explore state coverage options that expand access to affordable, dependable health care for their people, New Mexico highlights how states are approaching this solution by leveraging their unique strengths and building programs that address the specific health care challenges their residents face. With several states exploring the possibilities of new state coverage options, those that have championed these solutions are reaping the benefits. The Colorado Option posted record enrollment numbers, while New York’s expansion of their Basic Health Plan is expected to cover an additional 470,000 low-income New Yorkers. HB 400’s study will provide critical data and feedback on how best to approach this possibility, and USofCare will continue to work closely with advocates and state policymakers in New Mexico to make Medicaid Forward a reality.
Want to learn more?
Click here for USofCare’s explainer on New Mexico’s Medicaid Forward plan.
Kelsey Wulfkuhle is our State External Affairs Manager.
About United States of Care:
United States of Care is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.
Disclaimer:
This article is part of United States of Care’s Medium publication, representing the individual views of the author(s). It does not necessarily reflect the beliefs or positions held organizationally by United States of Care or its board of directors. As a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care, United States of Care values and seeks out a diverse range of perspectives. We believe in the power of different voices to enhance understanding, empathy, and dialogue about critical health care issues.
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