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In 2020, only 5 states had more older adults than children. According to this year’s census report, now 17 states have more adults 65 and older than children under 18. New Mexico has joined this list. 1. This demographic shift has significant implications for consumer protection and health care policy as well as economic planning. 2. In the 2027 Legislative Session, NM enacted a Medigap law allowing Medicare users to switch plans without insurers denying coverage or charging

Federal Judge blocks key components of the CMS Affordable Care Act Rule set to go into effect July 20, 2026. A district court blocked 8 provisions of the CMS sweeping rule scheduled to be implemented on July 20, 2026. The provisions blocked were deemed arbitrary and/or in violation of the Affordable Care Act. The plaintiffs argued the provisions in the rule would impose barriers to coverage, increase costs for enrollees and permit insurers to offer skimpier coverage. The prov

Formerly a federal program, SNAP federal funding will be be shifted more to states. SNAP eligibility is now tied to meeting work requirements and more frequent reporting by recipients. The outcomes in it first year: 4 million people have lost their access to food benefits 1.5 million children have lost food benefits In New Mexico, in first 10 months since enactment, 18,061 New Mexicans lost their SNAP benefits including 10,060 children who lost their food benefits. Therefore,

Lowers out-of-pocket costs to $5000, shielding more than half of all people with Medicare from catastrophic costs over the next decade, while lowering skyrocketing Medigap premiums. Guarantees all people with Medicare are protected, no matter what coverage option they choose, leveling the playing field between Traditional Medicare and private plans such as Medicare Advantage which does have an annual cap. Shields seniors who rely almost exclusively on their Social Security be

On June 18 th , the DOJ issued a legal opinion on the 1999 Omstead Supreme Court decision which recognized institutional isolation of people with disabilities as discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more than 25 years, Omstead has helped people with disabilities fight for the supports they need to live at home and in their communities. This legal opinion argues that states do not have to provide in-home or community based care to people with disabilit

● In their 2025 Affordability Survey, Commonwealth Fund found that one in five adults in the private insurance market reported that they or a family member had been denied health coverage. ● This was either due to claims or prior authorization denials. ● These adults reported as a result: stress and anxiety, delayed care with worse symptoms and outcomes, medical debt, and lack of knowledge of the appeals process. ● Proposed solutions: greater transparency, expansion of appeal

For more than 50 years, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been effective in reducing hunger, stabilizing household finances and supporting state and local economies. It has protected local communities in times of recession and when state budgets are in recession. The Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill H.1 of July 2025, the US has cost shifted both the administrative and benefit costs to the states, adding 100’s of millions of dollars to state budgets by

Effective immediately, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the slashing the number of childhood vaccines from 17 to 11. The vaccines no longer recommended are: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, flu, Covid 19, RSV, meningitis, and rotavirus. These no longer recommended vaccines are advised only for high risk children or after a consultation with a health provider. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other professional groups are opposed to the changes

New Mexico has the highest SNAP enrollment rate in the US. On January 1st, 2026, work requirements will start for some recipients of SNAP as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill passed by Congress. The state estimates the new work requirements will affect some 55,750 NM residents. As a result of paperwork burdens and more frequent reporting requirements, some 22,500 New Mexicans will likely lose their access to food benefits. Food is health, and to have more people hungry,

The current crisis of consumers and employers confronting unaffordable health care has put health care reform front and center on the table. While the GOP tries to reach agreement on market-driven reforms, more decision-makers on both sides of the aisle and the general public are increasingly critical of insurance companies and a business model of healthcare that puts profit over people. The US is the only major country to do so with much worse health outcomes than other coun