We have major news — and it’s all thanks to your relentless advocacy. House Bill 4 (HB 4) passed the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk, securing sustainable funding for the Health Care Affordability Fund (HCAF), protecting access to quality, affordable coverage. This is a historic win for families, providers, and communities across New Mexico.
HB 4 strengthens the HCAF by gradually increasing the share of health insurance surtax revenue directed to coverage — protecting families as enhanced federal premium tax credits expire and Medicaid cuts hit. Along with major investments in HB 2, these measures could protect coverage for up to 46,600 residents and reduce costs for 122,000 statewide.
This victory was made possible by the courage and persistence of our network. Every story shared, meeting attended, and voice lifted pushed policymakers to act.
Across the state, families and providers showed what unstable coverage looks like:
- In Las Cruces, Renée Beltran lost Medicaid for a single month, costing her family over $600 and forcing her to worry about $6,000-per-month medication bills.
- In Anthony, Iliana Perez and Michael Jason Baeza had to switch to higher-cost coverage during a Medicaid renewal, delaying care.
- In Albuquerque, nurse Carmen Meyer saw her premiums jump to nearly 17% of her income — more than her mortgage — forcing her to question how she would cover basic household bills. Providers like Dr. Bill Wagner, Dr. Barnes, and Dr. McHarney-Brown have seen how this strain impacts families every day.
- In rural communities, Leroy Tso of Gallup said: “When coverage becomes unstable, rural communities lose services first — and they don’t come back.”
And many others raised their voices at the Roundhouse, emailing and calling lawmakers.
HB 4 responds to these real-life struggles. It protects families, supports clinics and hospitals, and invests in prevention rather than responding to crisis.
We celebrate this milestone because of you — the families, providers, and organizers who refused to let federal cuts dictate New Mexicans’ access to coverage. This win shows what’s possible when we fight together.
HB 4 now awaits the Governor’s signature. And our work together continues: we will keep amplifying community voices, defending the progress we’ve made, and building toward a better healthcare system that is stable, affordable, and accessible for all.
From the bottom of our hearts: thank you. Every story, conversation, and hour of organizing and advocacy – between work, meals, and caring for your families – brought us here. Together, we are turning our shared values into action that protects every community.
With immense gratitude and solidarity,
NMT4HC
