| SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 – Response to KOAT regarding a Democrat Governor Press Call: The statements made by the Democrat panel with Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham today are once again rooted in fearmongering. They claim New Mexicans are “losing hospitals” and “losing care,” particularly in rural areas. Let’s be clear: One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) does not cause immediate disruption. Any suggestion that it is already closing hospitals is misleading. The law is actually investing in rural care, with $80 million in initiatives to strengthen access and support services in underserved communities. The real crisis is not OBBB—it is that New Mexico has become a litigation state. Our legal climate fuels constant lawsuits, heavy liability, and regulatory burdens that drive healthcare costs up and make our state deeply unattractive for doctors. Physicians don’t want to come to New Mexico, and those who are already here are leaving. This is why our healthcare system is failing New Mexicans—not because of future legislation, but because of the hostile policies in place today. With the abuse that New Mexico allows to occur, our healthcare system, and our broader economy, are at serious risk. OBBB begins phasing in over several years, with important provisions that New Mexicans need to know: Late 2025: Some changes begin, impacting Medicaid enrollees, Marketplace consumers, and low-income immigrants. December 31, 2025: Permanent telehealth relief for High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) begins. January 1, 2026: More ACA enrollees become eligible for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Premium tax credit eligibility is eliminated for certain low-income immigrants. Medicaid expansion financing incentives end. Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships qualify as HSA-eligible. June 1, 2026: The Secretary of Health and Human Services must issue an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements. January 1, 2027: States must begin enforcing Medicaid work requirements for expansion eligibility. HSA Eligibility: Expanded to more ACA enrollees. Telehealth: Permanent coverage of telehealth visits before deductibles under HDHPs. Medicaid Work Requirements: States must enforce new work requirements by 2027. Immigrant Health Coverage: Loss of premium tax credit eligibility for some low-income immigrants. New Mexico’s leaders should stop spreading fear and start addressing the real problem: our state policies make New Mexico undesirable for medical professionals and unsafe for economic development. Until that changes, our system will remain broken. It’s time to clean up the system, Governor, and start worrying about New Mexicans first. ### The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662. DONATE TODAY TO ELECT A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN 2026! NM First! |
