Frontline, essential workers are being left out of COVID-19 healthcare services for no reason other than immigration status.
We need your help to make calls and send emails this weekend.
Everyone should have access to COVID-19 testing and treatment, but thousands of immigrants in New Mexico are being denied coverage for critical services even though it could be covered by the Emergency Medicaid program and matched with federal funds.
House Bill 13 would require the program to fully cover all COVID care for immigrants in New Mexico who qualify for it.
The bill will be heard by the House Appropriations and Finance Committee MONDAY at 1:30. Without your help, the bill could get stalled in this committee. Our voices must be heard! The health of immigrant families and of our entire community depends on it.
Committee contact information and content you might include in your message are below.
HB 13 Summary
https://nmtogether4health.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Factsheet-HB13-EMSA-2021-01-29.pdf
New Mexico’s emergency Medicaid program, “EMSA,” provides coverage for emergency medical care for people who would not regularly qualify for Medicaid due to their immigration status. Many frontline workers, visa holders, children with deferred action status, and others can get emergency services through the program. However, the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department’s current EMSA rules do not cover COVID treatment outside of the emergency room or ICU.HB 13ensures the program covers all COVID treatment and simplifies the EMSA application process and allows patients to qualify for EMSA before an emergency arises.
