New Mexico Voices for Children has released a new fact sheet revealing that 24 rural counties in New Mexico have 30% or more residents enrolled in Medicaid. This announcement was made through a press release on April 1, 2025.
Senator Cory Booker recently emphasized the critical role of Medicaid in rural New Mexico, describing it as a "lifeline." As federal budget cuts to Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are being considered, families relying on these programs may face significant challenges. According to a report from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families, 60% of rural children depend on Medicaid and CHIP for health coverage.
"Medicaid is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of our low-income parents, pregnant women, children, and individuals with disabilities," said Mónica Otero, a policy analyst with New Mexico Voices for Children. She warned that cuts in coverage could threaten essential healthcare services that New Mexicans rely on, such as childbirth or cancer treatments.
The fact sheet from New Mexico Voices for Children highlights that 37% of residents in rural counties are insured by Medicaid. Among these residents, one-third live in rural areas, and one-third of rural adults are enrolled in Medicaid. Additionally, three out of five rural children are covered by Medicaid or CHIP, while one in ten rural seniors relies on Medicaid. The report also notes that 60% of children in rural counties are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP.
Gabrielle Uballez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, said: "Cutting Medicaid and stripping healthcare from our neighbors in need to bankroll tax cuts for the wealthy is intentional and dangerous." She added that such actions are particularly harmful to children in rural communities when New Mexico has the highest rate of children enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP nationwide.
Founded as the Coalition for Children in 1987 by three pediatricians, New Mexico Voices for Children advocates for systemic changes addressing issues affecting child well-being like poverty and inadequate healthcare. The organization focuses on economic security, education, and healthcare through research-driven advocacy, legislative engagement, public awareness campaigns, and legal actions. Their efforts include analyzing policies, educating policymakers, and collaborating with allies to promote solutions supporting children and families across New Mexico.
