The first priority must be to increase access to healthcare via more insurance coverage and retaining medical providers. Legislating for more access to insurance will save the state millions in costly emergency room visits, free up critical response services and help keep insurance rates lower for everyone.

• Fund a statewide public option Medicaid insurance program to reach those families who do not meet the criteria for Turquoise Care and cannot afford insurance rates on the marketplace.

• Prioritize funding and staffing rural hospitals and medical facilities.

• Pass the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (2025 NM HB0011) to support New Mexicans who want to expand their families or on whom the labor of family care for an elder has fallen to.

• Create and sustain statewide funding to address addiction in our communities using community-centered and community-based solutions.

• Expand and permanently fund in-home Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) for those who do not currently have access (seniors, veterans) via a public option Medicaid.  

• Fund behavioral health solutions that are rooted in trauma-focused, evidence-based care, provide care for those with addiction or in mental health crisis, which will contribute to community safety improvements.

• Incentivize medical providers with aligned values to relocate to New Mexico and encourage graduating medical providers to stay in state via aggressive student loan forgiveness, more residency positions, and provide financial benefits to providers willing to work in underserved and rural areas.

• Lower the cost of prescription medications via legislation and oversight of insurance companies, capping the out-of-pocket cost consumers pay, and collaborating in an interstate buying pool to maximize buying power

For more information: "Medicaid Forward Unlocking affordable coverage for all New Mexicans"