New Mexico Health Care Authority is seeking feedback on a plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program, known as “Medicaid Forward,” to provide free or low-cost health insurance to more residents. The expansion targets individuals under 65 with household incomes above 133% of the federal poverty line. The authority is requesting public input on various aspects of the plan, such as enrollment, provider reimbursement rates, and employer and employee impacts.
According to KFF Health News, approximately 219,100 New Mexicans lost their health insurance due to the “unwinding” of temporary disenrollment protections put in place during the COVID-19 response. Most of the disenrollments were due to procedural reasons rather than ineligibility for coverage.
Legislation passed in 2023 mandates a study on the feasibility of charging patients copayments based on income levels. The study will also explore extending free health insurance to groups such as state employees and teachers. The state budget allocated $500,000 for this study, with a report due by October 1 recommending an expansion of Medicaid coverage.
An expanded Medicaid program in New Mexico could provide affordable health insurance to those currently uninsured and improve access to healthcare for vulnerable populations. The public is encouraged to offer feedback and suggestions on how to implement and improve the proposed changes to the state’s safety-net health insurance program.
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