New Mexico lawmakers’ efforts to make health care more accessible and more affordable claimed the spotlight in the state Capitol during this year’s legislative session.
News
While you were sleeping: Health care bills head to NM governor’s desk
In a late-night floor session Feb. 18, 2026, the New Mexico Senate approved two measures to address the expected federal Medicaid cuts and to create a loan repayment program for health care workers.
NM House approves fund to keep paying for expired federal health care tax credits
House Bill 4 increases distributions into the state’s Healthcare Affordability Fund, which is generated through surcharges the state imposes on health insurance companies. House Democrats said the fund is necessary in order for the state to pay for expired health insurance premium tax credits and expected Medicaid cuts.
Health care workers warn of ‘ripple effects’ amid medical system issues
Doctors, nurses and even patients converged on the state Capitol on Tuesday in NM Together for Healthcare’s press conference to urge lawmakers to help lower incoming health care cost hikes for New Mexicans this year and reinforce the state’s primary care system.
State must fill in healthcare gaps
Health care is not a privilege. It is a lifeline. As policymakers head to the Roundhouse, they must address the health care coverage crisis brewing in New Mexico — the effects of which will ripple through every household and community in the state.
New Mexico funding set to blunt impact of federal health subsidy expiration
Millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance are bracing for skyrocketing premiums in 2026 after the failure of congressional Democrats’ efforts to extend federal subsidies, which drove the longest federal government shutdown in history. But New Mexicans with insurance through the ACA, also known as “Obamacare,” could be in large part spared — at least until June — from those soaring costs because the state is spending millions to backfill the federal subsidies.
My children could lose their future without Medicaid
I’m not a policymaker or an expert in economics. I’m a lifelong New Mexican, born and raised in Lincoln County, living in Las Cruces for 30-plus years. I am a mother of three young adults who, like many families in our state, depend on Medicaid for their health and future.
Settlement reached in lawsuit against MountainView
The local news teams and public gather on Aug. 20, 2025, at a news conference to hear about the victory for patients in a class action settlement against Mountain View Regional Medical Center.
Mountain View Regional Medical Center settles class action over unlawful debt collection
A class action settlement was reached on Wednesday against Mountain View Regional Medical Center, involving more than 200 low-income patients who were allegedly unlawfully sued for medical debt. As part of the settlement, the hospital will repay affected patients and provide an additional $625 per person. Additionally, Mountain View Regional Medical Center is required to overhaul its billing and collection practices. The settlement was announced at a press conference on Wednesday
Woman who sued Las Cruces hospital promotes law protecting patients
Community organizations joined a woman who successfully sued a Las Cruces hospital over its debt collection practices Wednesday to promote a state law protecting low-income patients. MountainView Regional Medical Center, a private for-profit hospital owned by Tennessee-based Community Health Systems Inc., took Ruby Kirker to court in 2022 seeking $6,205 for medical services related to her pregnancy.