NM Health Care Guides New Mexico
166,000 + people in New Mexico have so far been enrolled in NM. Here are the people on the ground who made this possible by enrolling people. THANK YOU to these champions for NM! A special thanks to all those who shared their story with us at Health Action NM.
Hilario Muniz Wilson Middle School Albuquerque, NM
Hilario shares his story and his thoughts on community engagement. Let's go, New Mexico! Get enrolled before March 31st!
Abel Albuquerque, NM
Abel had questions about getting health coverage and how it affected the Transgender community as well as the immigrant population. Now, Abel received those answers and coverage!
sylvia lee-dipace las cruces, new mexico
I'm an Eligibility Specialist in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Our Medicaid offices were not prepared for such a large volume of people to qualify for Medicaid here in New Mexico. A lot of people who didn't qualify (even by just a few hundred dollars) were confused as to what to do next. The Medicaid offices were too slow in denying Medicaid. They need a better way of denying Medicaid and getting those denials out quickly, instead of having consumers wait months to hear a response. Some people were qualified for the adult expansion Medicaid, but then their Medicaid was terminated when...Read more
Bebe Stanley, NM
On October 1st I went to the NM Human Services Department in order to get information regarding Obamacare.
I have to admit, I did not know anything about the new Affordable Care Act. Previously, I had the chance to talk to the Human Services Department about receiving food stamps. I did ask for more information at that time about how to enroll into Medicaid and I was told to call on October 1, 2013 to enroll.
So there I...Read more
Agnes Chavez and CaraMia Begay Belen, NM
We volunteer for the for NMHIX outreach, which is the Marketplace for private insurance as well as Medicaid. Basically it’s what we like to do. We like to help others. We get a good sense of helping out the community.
This is my first time here. We’re glad we’re getting to know the community down here in Belen. It’s a big deal, a lot of people are low income and a lot of them don’t have the jobs they had before. It does benefit them and it does help them out a lot. It’s very beneficial.
I think a plus is that it covers dental and vision. A lot of the community does need...Read more
Kathy Dixon Belen, NM
Kathy with a K, Dixon. I’m trying to get health insurance for my husband and myself. It’s going. My husband had, almost two years ago, blood clots in the lungs. Myself, I don’t think I have any problems so to speak. We don’t make that much money about $700 a month, maybe.
I’m not working and he can’t really work because…he can’t breathe. Because the blood clots in his lungs, it scared his lungs.
Read moreIris Rio Rancho, Albuquerque
So on November I went on to my computer and applied on the yes.nm state website. I gave...Read more
Suzy Northern, NM
I am so grateful someone came out to my rural community to talk about heath coverage! I own a little gallery here and don’t make a lot of money.
My husband has VA coverage, but I haven’t had anything for years.
I came to enroll because I just found out there is a degenerative issue with my back. I was very stressed out about loosing everything because of medical bills in the coming years. I was also worried about being able to afford health coverage.
But I came today to get help. They asked me some questions and told me I was probably eligible for Medicaid. I couldn’t...Read more
J.C. Madrid, NM
I had insurance for many years when I lived in California and worked for the University System.
I moved to NM several years ago. I am an artist, keep many animals, and have been uninsured for years.
I don’t like Western Medicine, and don’t think I’ll use my insurance much, but I’m glad I can get Medicaid, especially because I have some dental things going on. I guess at my age you just never know what can happen.
Read moreMonique Fernandez Mora
The thing I love most about my job is the outreach—Constantly going out in the community. Alexandra Vigil, my colleague, and I have gone to every basketball game, every school function, every bake sale in Mora! It’s great to talk to people and connect with them.
I think we have about 200 people enrolled in our community—most of them on Medicaid.
The biggest obstacle was the confusion around Medicaid. And how people were getting letters saying they had family planning, or that they weren’t being covered after December 31st 2013. Seems like a lot of people who were supposed to...Read more
Alexandra Vigil Mora
The thing I love most about my job is just being able to help the people in my community. It feels really good to help someone get health insurance.
The biggest obstacle I’ve encountered is trouble with the website (healthcare.gov). That was very frustrating for many people- and they were getting frustrated, but some people didn’t give up and now they have coverage.
Read moreDachary Vann University of New Mexico
Dachary Vann, a UNM theatre student, stopped by the Health Action NM table on UNM's Main Campus to get more information on the importance of enrolling into health insurance and how he could go about doing so. He also took the time to tell us what health coverage means to him!
Cristina Rivera University of New Mexico
Cristina Rivera with Young Invincibles is a rock-star! On November 18th and 19th of 2013 she was able to partner up with HANM, ASUNM, NMPIRG, and other local organizations to provide UNM students with information and options on how to get enrolled in health insurance. She also shared a little bit about what health coverage means to her. Thanks Cristina!
Montoya Family Anthony, NM
"In March 2010 my wife Erin was cutting my son Colton's (age 8) hair when she nicked the top of his forehead and neck. Two small red bumps appreared-something like a mosquito bite. The bump on his neck disappeared immediately but the one on his forehead stayed. As a couple of months passed my wife and I noticed that the bumb didn't go away on his forehead. In fact it had gotten bigger, so we went to our doctor and the doctor said, "Come back in a couple of months" to see if it goes away. Months passed and the bump kept getting bigger. So we went back to the doctor. The doctor said he didn...Read more
Levi Casas Mesilla Park
"My name is Levi Casas. Born and raised in Las Cruces, NM. Lived there all my life. Right now I am going through cancer. I am going through a struggle that I thought I would never have to deal with. I don’t know if I am going to receive the help I need or not." Levi currently does not have health insurance to cover his chemo therapy treatments. On top of the cancer, Levi had a heart attack 7 years ago and is diabetic.
On October 1, 2013 Levi showed up to an ISD office in southern New Mexico to get enrolled for Medicaid. Now, "I'm just waiting, " says Levi.
In regards to the...Read more
Mark Horst Albuquerque, NM
Q and A with Stephanie Grilo of Health Action NM and Mark Horst: Local Artist of Albuquerque, NM
Michael G Rio Rancho
Wife has reasonable insurance rates for her through employer which she pays before tax. Not affordable for additional family members. Father and two teens each have our own BCBS health plans we pay out of pocket, our rates increased we are having a hard time seeing the affordable part in the new changes.
Teen 1 was: 166.30 now is 193.42
Teen 2 was: 159.71 now is 192.93
Father was: 253.48 now is 295.58
ttl 579.49 681.93
total increase in rates with no changes to plan coverage: 102.44
If we use the online tools for assistance with my Wife...Read more
Paige Duhamel Albuquerque, NM
My name is Paige Duhamel and I live in Albuquerque, NM. I am the staff attorney for the Southwest Women’s Law Center. The experience of navigating the online health insurance exchange was bumpy at first. I think I tried to log on the first few days, just to test the system to see if it was working, I didn’t get very far. I kept getting logged off. But as the news sort of progressed that the website was getting better, I tried again and it also helped to delete my previous application and start a new one. So I started a new one from scratch, and was able to get through the system. I did...Read more
Francesa Tharpe Albuquerque, NM
I applied through the Marketplace. My cousin is an independent insurance agent and so I asked her what the best thing to do is. And she said go through the Marketplace even if I’m Medicaid eligible. So, I went to the marketplace and it was pretty simple. There’s a step-by-step process.
Basically they assessed whether or not I was eligible for Medicaid and I wasn’t. I was slightly above the poverty line. So I found a plan on the Marketplace and I went with Blue Cross Blue Shield. I also got a subsidy that was basically $90 off my monthly bill.
I didn’t have any insurance...Read more
Jay Johnston Albuquerque, NM
I’m J Johnson. I’m 65 and I’m on Medicare.
I consider myself apart of the Transgender community. Obviously I want care that is sensitive to myself as a Trans-guy. I don’t really have any particular problems anymore. I’m on “T”. I don’t get insurance coverage, because I use a compounded cream. It is available at a compounded pharmacy, which isn’t covered...Read more
Patricia Louisianna Blvd, Albuquerque
Just recently I moved to New Mexico. I went on to healthcare.gov and bewellnm.com to register and sign up for health, dental and vision insurance. Like many people we had heard there were problems and issues trying to sign up for Health Insurance. However, we did not experience any issues. In fact, we found the site helpful and found all the options we needed to make our decisions.
Read moreJenn Brown Corrales
My name is Jenn Brown. I live in Corrales NM. I’m 27 years old. I am the Outreach Coordinator for the Agora Crisis center.
My experience of navigating the healthcare.gov website was a lot different than my first time trying to find private insurance about a year and a half ago. I had to try and find private insurance because I had just turned 26 because I was no longer eligible to be on my mom’s insurance plan. I had graduated and so between those two things I had to try and find private insurance. With previous conditions I wasn’t eligible for any insurance I looked into. My...Read more
Amy Valesquez Santa Fe, NM
Hello, my name is Amy Valesquez, I am 44 years old. We’re a family of 6 people, I have 4 sons, and they range in age, from 19 years old to 13 years old.
My husband and I own a family business here in Santa Fe, NM. Our access to healthcare has been quite limited throughout the years. Because we are self employed that’s always been somewhat of a struggle. Not knowing exactly what our revenue stream was going to be, but healthcare was always a financial expense we couldn’t fit into our budgets.
Medicaid has covered our children in the past. I’ve been eternally grateful that...Read more
Stephanie Grilo South Valley, NM
The day after Christmas was spent in a panic for me. My dad had just informed me that I would be dropped from his health care plan come January 1st (the first I had heard of this) and that I woudl need to find coverage elsewhere. I had already started my Medicaid application processes but was still waiting on a few last minute documents to upload. There was hope yet!
However, I was then reminded that my perscriptions wouldn't be filled in time, that I needed desperately to go see a dentist about getting my wisdom teeth out because they began causing my jaw to lock and with that,...Read more
Veronica Albuquerque, NM
My name is Veronica Rodriguez. I live in Albuquerque, NM. I go to Olympian University, it is a Cosmetology school. I am here 40 hours a week, no pay. I am allowed to get tips. So I currently have no income. And it is a 10 month program, 1600 hours depending on how often you come.
Every time I get sick I never go to the doctor, because of the pay not only to get over there, but the actual doctor visit.
Recently I had a high fever and the flu, and I kind of...Read more
Evelyn 1-40, NM
My name is Adriana Evelyn Manuel Alonzo. I do currently have health insurance through my parent’s plan. I was previously on Medicaid though. I switched over to my parent’s health insurance about a month ago from Medicaid. They dropped me from Medicaid when I was 19.
I am unemployed. I am studying for Cosmetology at Olympian University. And I go from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30-5:00. And I don’t get paid. I am interested in getting health insurance.
Read moreSheridan Jobe Olympian University, Albuquerque NM
My name is Sheridan Jobe. I live here in Albuquerque, NM. I work at Olympian University. I am a Cosmetology instructor for Phase 2 in the Clinic 4. I currently do not have health insurance. The University offered me $200 a month for a health insurance plan, but that’s way to expensive for me to afford.
I got behind on IRS bills and things pilled up and I even had to skip a month on my car insurance to get caught up on a couple bills from the IRS. That’s just one...Read more
Blanca Ramirez Las Cruces, Nm
Not having health insurance for Blanca has been stressful, "I currently need heart surgery and have not been able to see a cardiologist because I do not have health insurance and I cannot afford it." But now she will have access to care because of the Medicaid Expansion.
Blanca signed up through the yes New Mexico website herself. “It took a long time but it was easy." In about a week Blanca received a letter notifying her that she qualified for Medicaid under the new guidelines. Her 20 year old daughter submitted an application and is waiting to hear back.
When asked how...Read more
Jared Wilson Maple St. SE, Albuquerque, NM
I do not have health care at this moment. And I wish to have health care, but I don't really know how to get healthcare for my age and for the amount of money I'm making. I've heard about things that my employers offer, but other than that I don't really know too much about how to get that accomplished. I work at Gardunos inside the Albuquerque Hotel. I've talked to them a little bit about it; they provide eye and dental for $60 a month, but only eye and dental.
So, I was living downtown, this was about two years ago. I had just walked out of my house it was in a, I would say, kind...Read more
Stephanie Grilo Bernallilo, NM
I had been meaning to apply for Medicaid, myself, for a few weeks now. However, with the first day of open enrollment, followed by a few months of outreach and identifying barriers in the enrollment process in New Mexico, I could hardly find the time to sit down and go through the application process.
I applied this morning at our Health Action office in Bernaillio, NM. I typed www.yes.state.nm.us into my browswer heading and up popped the NM HDS assitance website. I created a login, very simple, and then began the application process. The...Read more
Juan Lopez Rio Chama, NM
My name is Juan Lopez. I live at Rio Chama. I have not had health insurance for years. The bills I can’t pay, I was homeless there for a while, going through different councelors, they reffered me to El Centro. I finally got off the streets, and got back on Medicare.
I went and signed up today for insurance, for Medicaid, at El Centro. They said I should get a letter for January 1st I believe. I’m feeling positive. It’s great, it’s a real help.
Read moreMolly Hansen Arroyo Seco
My name is Molly Hansen. I live in Arroyo Seco, NM. Before I lived to New Mexico I had Keiser Permanente, I lost my job, and actually because I moved here I lost my Keiser. For the past three years I haven’t had health insurance.
I had broken a toe and it wasn’t getting better, so I had to go in and have that looked at. I thought I had Keiser still, and they actually told me to go in and pay for it, and then I found out that they had pulled my insurance. And so I was left with the bill. The bill for the broken toe was $500. The toe is much better now (haha). I came here today...Read more
Terrestia Taos
My name is Terresita. I live in Taos, NM. I am 62 years old. I’ve lived in Taos all my life, since I was born. I’m a widow. I’ve been getting the health coverage, since I started getting my widow disability. My health coverage was with Presbyterian. They sent me a letter saying they were going to take away my Medicare A and B. I go to the doctor’s, I have a very bad leg. They are afraid I’m going to have to have surgery. But, they gave me medication for now.
I was kind of confused. I wanted to know why they took me off Medicare. I wanted to know if I could re-enroll to get...Read more
Marcela Diaz Santa, Fe
My name is Marcela Diaz. I direct Somas un Pueblo Unido, we’re a state wide immigrants rights organization and non profit with about 8 employees but only 5 full time employees. We offer health coverage at 80% for full time employees with the exception of a few employees that have been there for more than 10 years, we offer 100%, for our part-time employees we offer 40%. We have a 3 month probation period and so that they can decide if they want to stick with us and we want to stick with them and then we offer them health insurance.
So, we were with Presbyterian for a really long...Read more
Catherine Espanola
My name is Catherine. The good news I got today is that I received my letter of confirmation that I’m going to get into the Centennial Health Care plan.
I haven’t had health insurance for that past four years. It’s been really hard. Everything has been out of pocket; medication, doctors… I’ve tried to avoid doctors because of that.
I have high blood pressure, and it’s very hard to control it, and without insurance the mediations and everything (it’s up to five medications right now) it’s been tough. I need insurance. On average it’s close to $200 a month for both doctors and...Read more
Christine Herrera Santa Fe, NM
My name is Christine Herrera. I do enrollment here at La Familia Medical Center.
Currently we’ve enrolled approximately 95 consumers into Medicaid since October 1. I had one gentleman come in yesterday, completed his application October 16 and by October 25 he had already been approved through the online YesNM. So, it’s kind of neat they are getting a little quicker approvals.
We haven’t accepted any applications for the Exchange yet because of the federal website, but we’ve been giving out a lot a lot of information. And now we’re currently giving out the applications, so...Read more
Esperanza Dodge Albuquerque
My name is Esperanza Dodge and I live in Albuquerque New Mexico. I have a six year old son and when I was pregnant with him, I started getting on Medicaid.
The first time I applied for Medicaid, I'm not really sure why, but I was denied for making too much. I had just graduated college and had a part time job. Then I lost that job, and when...Read more
Sarah UNM, Albuquerque, NM
I am the Program Assistance in mentoring and leadership here at the Women’s Resource Center at UNM. I run the IMPACT mentoring project, which is a mentoring program here for young women on UNM’s campus (placing Young Women in leadership roles).
In my personal life, and here in my professional life, I don’t really talk about health coverage with most people. I’m uninsured and have been since I moved here to Albuquerque, to come to school three years ago. I’ve been working restaurant jobs, or office jobs for non-profits, where health coverage just wasn’t an option.
Most of...Read more
Maria Shmitt Tucumcari, NM
I am Maria Shmitt. I live in Tucumcari, NM. I’ve lived here most of my life. My 19 year old daughter’s Medicaid just expired. She has a history of Kidney stones, very large ovarian cysts. She also has issues with asthma and other chronic illnesses. I’m in a panic trying to figure out a way to insure her because of all these medical issues she’s been having. I’m excited that there is going to be a program that’s going...Read more
Guida Downtown, Albuquerque
My name is Guida. I live in Albuquerque, NM. I’ve been in New Mexico since 1998. In 2002, I was bitten by a black widow spider which caused a major stroke in my right brain stem. I have to say if it wasn’t for Medicaid services here in NM, I wouldn’t know where I would be today.
I literally, overnight, went from walking, talking, and moving around, to being flat on my back, unable to move, unable to eat, unable to turn on my own. It was a real shock. Anyhow, I remember laying in the ER, feeling like I would never be able to do anything ever again. However,...Read more
Al Lucero Jr. Spain St. Albuquerque, NM
I cannot understand the different web sites and how to actually apply for insurance.
There are:
Health Action NM
Centennial Care
Yes! New Mexico
NMHIX
In any case, I cannot log in to Yes! New Mexico. I have been receiving various errors, the website does not recognize my user name or password. It says that I am not a current user, the username already exists, and various other vague "errors" with no explanation. There seems to be no one to contact unless you already have a user name.
Furthermore, I don't know if I am supposed to...Read more
Melanie Campbell Albuquerque
As a self-employed artist, I have always been able to afford health insurance, albeit a plan with a high deductible. I am a huge supporter of health care reform and am REALLY disappointed to find that my premium is going up by 50% under the Affordable Care Act. I earn too much to qualify for a subsidy and am too old for the "catastrophic" option, but I am by no means rich and I'm wondering why the self-employed are getting stuck with all the costs.
My provider explained that it was because I am part of a small pool. But why do we have to have different pools? Why...Read more
Katie, Jose, Andres, Tino UNM, Albuquerque, NM
On October 2, the day after enrollment started for the new Health Care Exchange in NM, Students at the University of New Mexico seemed a little confused. "It's affordable?" says one student. Although, there seems to be little knowledge on the Medicaid Expansion or the NM Health Care Exchange, students do seem on the right track to understanding how the Affordable Care Act will positively effect their fellow community members.
A group of theatre students stood along the railing of a loading dock just outside of the UNM theatre building and spoke to me about their knowledge of The...Read more
Alessandra Abeyta Rd., Penasco, NM
My name is Alessandra. I am currently 40. I have been in the Penasco area since 2000. I run a theatre here in Penasco. I am uninsured. My kids are insured through Medicaid.
I was insured when I was pregnant, and I was able to stay on Medicaid for a short amount of time. But, then they kicked me off because I made too much money ($200 a week). I was in the process of having dental work done, and I was referred...Read more
Enselma Vasquez School Road, Penasco, NM
My name is Enselma Vasquez. I have been in this area all my life. Many generations of my family, in fact 300 years, have lived in Northern New Mexico. I’m a Community Health Worker. I help families navigate low-income resources. I’ve only been working here since June. What we are doing now we are trying to support families with low income and single parents and parents that find themselves without a job or without education. We try and give them supportive parenting educations and we navigate resources for them as well.
I’m willing to help anyone I can. I won’t shut the door on...Read more
Anonymous Northern, NM
I have been living in Northern New Mexico for the past seven years. But I was born and raised here. I came back for safety. It’s been really hard, it’s been really isolated. But, I’m safe here and I’m happy.
In 1983, I was diagnosed with HIV. I was in California. I moved to LA in 83’. I was in major culture shock. I didn’t know much about what was going on, I was just trying to survive. I tried a different scene and got HIV. 4 months before, I thought I’d move back, because I was having such a hard time in LA. The culture shock was really too much for me. I went out with a guy and...Read more
Claudia King Penasco, NM
My name is Claudio King. I have been in northern New Mexico for 40 years and in the Penasco area for 37. I’m actually retired and I’m going to be 70 years old and I work as a volunteer now. Previously I worked for the Spot for Community Wellness, which was the face of Picuris Penasco Community Coalition, we had a wellness center there in Penasco. We did a lot of work with human services and mental health, agencies, and also...Read more
Joe Martinez 1711 Randolph, SE Albuquerque
Joe Martinez, HANM’s Education and Outreach Coordinator visited the ISD office at 1711 Randolph SE, ABQ (close to the airport) on October 1. 2013.
Joe says, “The lead staff member, Patricia, was helpful when asked how things are going in enrolling applicants for health coverage. She explained that they are doing enrollment for current Medicaid program, but they can handle new applicants for the Medicaid program that will be part of the Medicaid expansion. She called this category the "other adult program." She told Joe, "We are using a new application form that came out today. It...Read more
Selena Marroquin-Hardy Rio Rancho, Albuquerque
I spoke with Maria the intake supervisor (very nice lady!). She informed me they have not received training and their computer systems have not been updated to do intake or determination (that won't happen until January). They are telling people about it but there were not any flyers or information around the building about the expansion. Maria told me they are taking people's applications but they really can't help with determination or anything- she didn't even really know the details about who qualifies for what. The office does have the paper applications. They said a few other...Read more
karin retskin Campus blvd. Albuquerque, NM
I am a UNM retiree and on Medicare. I have been watching the news on ACA with great interest. I am interested on how all the new programs are going to play out. I am very thankful that this new law has gone into effect and many of my New Mexico neighbors can finally get health coverage. I also have been aware that as a Medicare recipient that I am ineligible and that is fine. (Editor's note: Some, but not all, Medicare recipients are actually also eligible for Medicaid services.) Medicare has served me well.
However, I thought the ACA would not impact me, but I just received my new...Read more
Stella Silver Avenue, Albuquerque
Stella, a current student at UNM and mother of a 6 year old, is a recipient of Medicaid. Although, Stella didn't always have health insurance. When Stella received summer employment this year she was kicked off of Medicaid, however that employer did not provide health coverage to their employees. Stella quickly found herself without any medical insurance.
Her daughter shortly thereafter came down with the chickenpox. Stella had to, "bite the bullet," and take her daughter in to UNM urgent care and payed out of pocket for those services.
Because the UNM fall semester began,...Read more
Nathan Lihte Carlisle Avenue, Albuquerque
I am currently a student at the University of New Mexico. Born and Raised. I do have health insurance right now. I ugh, receive it through my parents. Receiving health insurance has been a huge benefit over the last year. I bet, last fall, fall of 2012I began to have some health issues that required some medical attention. A number of tests that would normally cost a lot of money; a few visits to the emergency room, and etc. That if I hadn’t had health insurance for all these I would have been in debt 10’s of thousands of dollars probably and certainly would have had to drop out of school...Read more
Eric Cortez Las Vegas, NM
Eric Cortez and his four friends attended the 2013 Mission of Mercy in Farmington, NM on September 13, 2013. After a long day of waiting in a mud filled parking lot (there had been a bad storm the night before) Eric left the free dental clinic estactic to have had a root canal done. He then waited the rest of the day until each of his friends came out of the dental clinic having had free care done.
Eric sees a dentist in Las Vegas, NM but he has to pay out of pocket each time because, "VA benefits do not cover my dental." He expressed that he often times has to pay close to $400.00...Read more
Lucia Huitron Aztec, NM
Lucia Huitron is a current resident of Aztec, NM. She is originally from Mexico City, where her mother currently lives. Her mother was diagnosed with skin cancer a few years ago, but Lucia’s mother could not get on Medicaid or Medicare in the United States because of her immigrant status.
Lucia’s mother had no other option than to move back to Mexico City. Lucia often visits her mother in Mexico City, however she did express a desperate want to live closer to her mother to take care of her.
Lucia also takes trips to Mexico City herself to get cheaper dental and health care;...Read more
Randy C. Groom Aztec, NM
Randy currently lives in Aztec, NM. He heard about Mission of Mercy on the local radio. Randy has not seen a dentist since 1971. When Randy was in the Marine Core it took four trips to his Navy Dentist to get one root canal. Needless to say, Randy told Danielle, he has felt pretty jaded by this negative dental experience.
Randy...Read more
Clarissa Constitution, Albuquerque
My name is Clarissa and right now I am trying to start a business as an artist. Right now um, all I have is UNM cares and Indian Health Services. Which is better than it would be if I didn’t qualify for IHS. My husband actually is working for a small law firm, he has health care coverage through his job. And the job I had before this, I had health care coverage, for both of us. My job before this was actually as a social worker for Head Start. So when I stopped working, I had a good idea of what was available. But, its rough. Cuz like, I have…my primary care doctor is through First...Read more
Bebe Stanley, NM
On October 1, 2013 Bebe, from Stanley, NM drove an hour to the closest ISD office to get enrolled in the new Medicaid Expansion. Bebe had to wait an hour and a half to see a case worker, who she described as being very nice and helpful in receiving all of Bebe's necessary documents and Medicaid application.
Bebe remains slightly unclear on wether or not she is eligible for Medicaid and, "what the next steps are."
In regards to the Medicaid application process, Bebe was told by case workers at the ISD office, "they would correct the "system" between October 15 and November 2...Read more
Joseph Pecos, NM
Joseph and his wife have been uninsured for a long while. Joseph had a good job with IHS, but now he has been unemployed for 4-5 years.
He saw on the news to get enrolled for Medicaid at an ISD office. When he showed up on October 1, 2013 to the ISD office in Santa Fe, no one was there to assist him. He was hoping to get more information right then and there because he drove all the way from Pecos, NM. Joseph drove back to Pecos with no information on how to get new health coverage.
Read more
Jeremy Bernalillo, NM
I have a tooth cracked in half and the bottom part of the molar has fallen off. The infection has traveled up into my upper jaw and the infection is actually behind my eardrum. I can’t hear anything but ringing out of it. But honestly I don’t have $200. Not for that. It is overwhelming. And I don’t see a way out. I honestly don’t.Read more
Celeste S. Albuquerque, NM
Celeste S., 36, has nine teeth rotting away in her mouth – nine diseased teeth that should be pulled. But Celeste can’t afford the treatment she needs, even though her husband has dental insurance. The copayments are too high for the family’s budget, and so Salazar goes without dental care, as do her husband and their four children. She lives in constant pain. “It’s there every day,” she says. “At night, it wakes you up. During the day, when you are trying to do something, you are in such pain that you just want to lie down and try to make the pain go away.” Sometimes her face swells up so...Read more
Phillip R., CPDH Albuquerque, NM
My name is Phillip and I am working as a dental Hygienist in NM. I have been providing dental hygiene services to the under insured and uninsured children and adults in NM for the last 28 years. Access to care is not just about providing dental services to remote rural areas of NM but it also encompasses the access to care in metropolitan areas where dental care is limited to those with enough money or the right kind of dental insurance that dentists are willing to accept. With our current economic situation, most New Mexicans that have dental insurance don't even have the extra cash...Read more
Anonymous Albuquerque, NM
A Spanish-speaking elderly man was interested in knowing more about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and how to get help with the cost of prescriptions. He said, “I don’t really know what the ACA is, and all I know is that it is a good thing and that one of my friends already received a reimbursement check for some of the medications that he’s had to purchase. I want to know more about it and I want to know how I too can get a check! La economía está muy mal, y si hay una oportunidad de obtener dinero, ¿pues por qué no?” (Translation: “The economy is so bad, and if there is an opportunity...Read more
Anonymous Las Cruces, NM
A middle aged gentleman approached Health Action NM wanting to know EVERYTHING there was to know about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as his mother was ill and she was going to need surgery in the next few months. His family could not afford the surgery and he said the ACA was their only hope. After the ACA was explained, he was surprised at how political this issue is. “What can we do as a community?,” he asked. “Give me all the numbers of all legislators, senators and the Governor’s office number so I can start calling… I don’t know how many people are gonna call, but I know I’m gonna...Read more
Ingrid H. Española, NM
Ingrid is a nurse by trade and has been practicing for decades. She runs school-based clinics in Española. She is good at what she does, but when I met with her to talk about a possible cooperative effort with the school-based clinics, it was clear that she was looking to learn more about health reform, what is going on with Medicaid, how many people are uninsured, etc. She is a nurse who does nursing. After talking with her about health reform and all these things, she is now an avid health reform advocate in her community. Having this new information gave her a great sense of empowerment...Read more
Sandra M. Taos, NM
Sandra is a community organizer. She has worked on various issues in Northern NM, but has never gotten into health issues. She has health insurance through her job and always has. She had no idea how many people are uninsured in NM and was outraged by the numbers and statistics. Right away she made the connection between access to health care and productivity, particularly when talking about farmers and ranchers. She is interested in trying to make connections to different farmer/rancher workshops across the state, to get the farmers and ranchers the information they need about how health...Read more
Vicki F. Sandia Park, NM
I am one of those persons who has seen the injustice of the current insurance system when my COBRA benefits ran out and I was without insurance for the first time in 28 years and was denied an individual insurance policy by the same insurance company (Presbyterian Health Plan) that had previously provided me insurance through my COBRA coverage.
I am not poor, but I am not rich either. I applied for a plan with MEGA Insurance and was accepted with riders for preexisting conditions denying me coverage for them. I then applied to NMHIA that issued me an individual plan for the same...Read more