New Mexico Passes Laws to Support Resident Health Costs in Special Session

New Mexico lawmakers concluded a special legislative session during which the governor signed three of four bills aimed at offsetting anticipated federal funding cuts, particularly to health care and food-assistance programs, reports the New Mexico Political Report. Among the key measures: $17 million to reduce health-insurance premiums on the state exchange; removal of income caps so that people above 400 % of the federal poverty line can receive subsidies via the state’s Health Care Affordability Fund; and a $50 million transfer to the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to stabilize health services in underserved areas. State officials highlighted that while the actions couldn’t fully replace the federal dollars, the $162 million package was intended to help maintain program continuity and avoid large increases in cost burdens for residents.