New Mexico Governor Takes Action: Emergency Legislation Passed to Safeguard Health and Food Aid for Residents

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has taken action to assist residents facing cuts to food and health care assistance. By signing new emergency legislation, she aims to protect essential services in the state.

The plan includes deploying $162 million in state funds to keep these services running despite federal cuts. “When federal support falls short, New Mexico steps up,” Lujan Grisham emphasized, highlighting the commitment to families reliant on these programs.

The legislation, House Bill 1, designates the largest portion of funds—$66 million—to the Health Care Authority. This includes $16.6 million for maintaining SNAP food benefits and $8 million for food banks. The bill also boosts school food programs, improves staffing, updates IT systems, and lowers health insurance costs.

Additional allocations include $30 million for the state’s emergency fund and $50 million for rural health care. It also sets aside $17 million to help cover health insurance costs for New Mexicans and $6 million for public broadcasting.

To support these efforts, the state plans to recover $120 million from unspent funds from a previous Health Care budget, keeping financial reserves at 32% of yearly spending.

Another key measure, House Bill 2, improves access to affordable health insurance. It removes income caps for state-subsidized health plans, allowing individuals above 400% of the federal poverty level to receive support if they meet other qualifications. This change comes as federal premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, potentially affecting around 6,300 New Mexicans.

Senate Bill 1 allocates $50 million from the general fund to enhance health care services in rural areas. It broadens eligibility for grants to include providers in high-need and tribal regions.

Senate Bill 2 allows metropolitan court judges to oversee criminal competency hearings, making access to behavioral health services easier by reducing the burden on district courts.

The response from New Mexicans has been generally supportive, with many expressing relief that state leaders are prioritizing health and food security amidst changing federal policies.

For additional context, according to a recent report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, roughly 1 in 8 New Mexicans rely on SNAP, making these assistance programs vital to families across the state.

You can learn more about these developments on KFOX14 and the New Mexico Department of Health.

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New Mexico,Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham,Emergency legislation,Food assistance,Health care,Funding,SNAP benefits,Rural healthcare