Luján: Republican Budget Could Kick 260,000 New Mexicans Off Their Health Insurance

New Mexico Has the Highest Rate of Medicaid-Covered Births, Most Medicaid Recipients Per Capita in the Nation

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement in response to the House Republican Budget Resolution, which could lead to 25 million Americans losing their health coverage, including 260,000 individuals in New Mexico:

“If Congressional Republicans succeed in passing their damaging budget package, over 260,000 New Mexicans could lose access to their health coverage. Despite promises from President Trump and Congressional Republicans to not cut Medicaid, they are now going back on their word to cut essential programs for working families to fund a tax scam for the wealthiest Americans and corporations. Medicaid is a lifeline for babies, mothers, and seniors, and the consequences of this bill would be devastating for New Mexico families. I will continue fighting to protect Medicaid against attacks from Elon Musk, President Trump, and Congressional Republicans.”

According to the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, Medicaid covers more than 780,000 people in New Mexico, or 33% of the people in the state. If the Republican budget cuts a third of federal Medicaid funding across all populations and geographies, New Mexico could see:

• 83,000 rural residents lose their health coverage;
• 95,000 children lose their health insurance;
• More than 1 in 5 seniors lose their nursing home care;
• In total, more than 260,000 people cut off from their health insurance.

Senator Luján called on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to reverse drastic funding cuts to the Affordable Care Act Navigator program, which helps Americans access quality, affordable health insurance coverage, including for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

During consideration of the Senate Republican Budget Resolution, Senator Luján authored an amendment to strengthen Medicaid for pregnant women and children under five years old. Senator Luján also co-led an amendment to ensure there is no reduction in benefits for people with Medicare and Medicaid. 

Following reporting that Elon Musk and DOGE officials gained access to key payment and contracting systems at the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS). CMS administers Medicare and Medicaid, Senator Luján demanded the Trump administration, Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency not dismantle Medicare and Medicaid to pay for the Republican Tax Scam that gives a handout to the country’s most wealthy.

In the nomination hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator Luján questioned Mr. Kennedy on his understanding of the importance of Medicaid and pressed Mr. Kennedy for his commitment to protect Medicaid from cuts. Mr. Kennedy did not commit to not cutting Medicaid if asked to by the President.

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