Future Of Medicaid Unclear In New Mexico

February 17, 2017 – This week on New Mexico in Focus we look at Medicaid. New Mexico was one of 31 states and the District of Columbia that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and it helped contribute to the state’s uninsured rate dropping to 9 percent from 20 percent. About 244,000 more New Mexicans gained coverage under Medicaid expansion and the federal government contributes a significant amount to the cost of Medicaid. But state expenditures for Medicaid continue to rise and with an ongoing budget crisis, the state is struggling to pay for it. If we underfund Medicaid we lose millions in federal matching dollars. How will this impact vulnerable New Mexicans?

Guests:

Sireesha Manne, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty
Kelly O’Donnell, economist with the RWJF Center for Health Policy at UNM 

Further Reading

Despite Gains Medicaid Expansion Is On Chopping Block – Marketplace
Drop In Uninsured Rates After ACA And Medicaid Expansion – Gallup
State Grapples With Rising Medicaid Costs Amid ACA Uncertainty – Santa Fe New Mexican
Gessing: Medicaid Reform Can Save New Mexico – Los Alamos Monitor
Limited Revenue Options Bind Lawmakers – Santa Fe New Mexican
Paul Ryan’s Claim That More Doctors Just Won’t Take Medicaid – Washington Post
Report Finds New Mexico Would Lose 31,000 Jobs If ACA Repealed – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico’s Epic Medicaid Shortfall – KUNM
United, UNMH Part Ways On Medicaid Patients – Albuquerque Journal
Panel Recommends State Reject Medicaid Copays, Premiums – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Seeks Co-Pays From Medicaid Patients – Albuquerque Journal
Some Farmers Want Big Changes In Health Coverage, Some None At All – AgriPulse
Medicaid Co-Pays Are A Poor Tax – KRWG
Vulnerable New Mexicans Wait To See What Trump Does To Obamacare – Santa Fe New Mexican
As Lawmakers Mull $69M Funding Hike For Medicaid Program Still Lacks Key Performance Data – Santa Fe New Mexican
Legislative Finance Committee Factsheet on Medicaid

This segment is part of our People, Power and Democracy project.

People, Power and Democracy explores ethics, accountability and transparency in government. Our partners are KUNM, New Mexico in Depth, New Mexico News Port and New Mexico PBS.

Support for coverage on NMiF comes from the Thornburg Foundation and NMPBS viewers.

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