County Commissioners moved by local support and statewide momentum
DONA ANA COUNTY—The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners after hearing testimony from New Mexico Together for Healthcare family leaders who live in Doña Ana County, unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday in favor of continuing the state’s efforts to shape a healthcare solution that would open up Medicaid for any New Mexican to buy into—regardless of their current Medicaid eligibility.
“Before I had Medicaid, I didn’t have insurance, and I was turned away when I went to the doctor,” said Maria Burciaga, a Doña Ana county resident and Strong Families New Mexico healthcare advocate. “I once saved $1500 to partially pay for a necessary treatment, but was told I could not get seen until I had the full amount, which was $4000. The expansion of Medicaid allowed me to access healthcare and get that treatment. We need to continue to pursue the Medicaid Buy-in to give even more access to even more people.”
Burciaga is part of NM Together for Healthcare, a family-driven, multi-racial campaign working statewide to provide healthcare access that is affordable to all New Mexicans.
Family leaders have been working tirelessly, reaching out to policy makers and building support in communities across New Mexico. ince July, six resolutions in support of studying a Medicaid Buy-in option have passed unanimously in local counties and city governments as well in sovereign nations across the state.
Community members, state and local experts and policymakers have become more interested in this innovative plan since the bipartisan passing of the Medicaid Buy-in memorials in the New Mexico House and Senate during the 2018 legislative session.
A Medicaid Buy-in plan would allow New Mexicans who are currently not eligible for Medicaid the option to buy into an affordable healthcare coverage plan that leverages Medicaid.
With more than 180,000 New Mexicans without health insurance, including over 25,000 Doña Ana County residents, a Medicaid Buy-in plan could substantially lower uninsured rates by utilizing the already popular and successful Medicaid model. Medicaid already covers over 830,000 New Mexicans, including over 104,000 Doña Ana County residents.
“I’m really passionate about this campaign because in 2014 I had kidney stones and couldn’t afford the surgery I needed, until I was able to access Medicaid. Without Medicaid, I would have had to take out a loan to cover the expenses and I would have gone into debt,” said Burciaga. “Having Medicaid has helped me to address my healthcare issues, and everyone should be able to afford to do this.”
The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners will include this resolution in their legislative requests for the upcoming 2019 session and share the resolution with state legislators.
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NM Together for Healthcare is a statewide, multiracial campaign of families and community organizations working together to strengthen healthcare access in New Mexico, supported by Strong Families New Mexico, Partnership for Community Action, New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and Health Action New Mexico. For information, visit https://nmtogether4health.org/ or email nmtogether4healthcare@gmail.com.
