Health Reform Toolbox
New Mexico is a large, rural state with a low population. Out of approximately 2 million residents in the state, about 360,000 people under the age of 65 do not have health insurance. This means that 21% of the non-elderly people living in New Mexico are living without health insurance - over 1 in 5 individuals.
Health Insurance Marketplace
The health insurance marketplace (often called the “exchange”) is a new way to choose health insurance. One way to picture this is like a big, online farmer’s market or mercado, where each booth is offering a different health insurance plan. Or picture a website like Priceline or Expedia - only instead of comparing flights and rental cars, you will be comparing health insurance plans. The same information will also be available in paper form, for those who can’t or don’t want to use a website.
What’s been happening in New Mexico on the Medicaid Expansion?
The Affordable Care Act made many changes to the Medicaid program that went into effect January 1, 2014. The main thing to realize is that it will be much easier to apply and enroll in Medicaid. Eligibility will now be based on income, rather than on the multiple eligibility categories that were used before. Single, childless adults will now be eligible under a certain income level - this has never been the case before in New Mexico.
Regulatory Environment
We're working on this! Check back for more information here soon!
Dental
New Mexico doesn't have enough dentists. As a result, thousands of New Mexicans can't get dental care when they need it, where they live. This includes working families and children in rural, Tribal and underserved communities, as well as elders and persons with disabilities. At Health Action New Mexico, we believe that everyone should be able to get quality, affordable dental care in their own communities.