Early October Newsletter

Protecting New Mexico Families

On October 3, the New Mexico Legislature finished a two-day Special Session. New laws were passed to protect New Mexican families from major federal budget cuts.

Federal cuts are already threatening to:

• Close rural hospitals

• Raise health insurance prices by more than 75%

• Take away food assistance from hundreds of thousands of families

• Shut down public radio and TV stations

Legislators didn't want to wait months for the 30 Day Session while New Mexicans were hurting. They acted right away.

Keeping Health Insurance Affordable (House Bill 2 + $17 million)

In December 2025, federal help with insurance payments will end. This means health insurance could cost two or three times more for middle-class families. Now, thousands of New Mexicans who can't afford higher prices will get state help to keep their insurance. This stops families from losing healthcare when they need it most.

Keeping Rural Hospitals Open (Senate Bill 1 + $50 million)

Federal Medicaid cuts could close hospitals and clinics across rural New Mexico. Without these, entire communities would lose emergency care, help for pregnant women, and treatment for long-term diseases.

Legislators changed the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund. Before, it only helped new services. Now it gives emergency money to hospitals and clinics that might close.

They also changed who can get help. Now it's not just based on population size. Places with serious doctor shortages and tribal facilities can get funding too. Communities like Cuba, Jemez, Zia Pueblo, and Hatch can now get money to stay open.

Photo caption: Senator Stefanics, the sponsor of Senate Bill 1, is pictured presenting the bill during the Special Session.

Better Healthcare Systems ($20 million)

This money helps in several ways:

• $10 million for computer system upgrades

• $3 million for nonprofit health clinics

• $6.6 million for the Health Care Authority to hire staff who can help with new federal rules

Fighting Hunger ($30 million)

Federal SNAP cuts of nearly $200 million over ten years will hurt more than 450,000 New Mexicans who get food benefits now.

The money will help:

• $16 million to keep SNAP benefits (includes $4.6 million for $100 extra for seniors)

• $8 million for food banks across the state

• $2 million for school food programs and nutrition classes, protecting over 8,000 children

• $1.2 million to keep SNAP program staff at UNM and NMSU who teach about healthy eating

• $1.5 million to help people meet new federal work rules

These programs work. SNAP-Ed helped 8% more children eat fruits and vegetables. It also helped 10% more people learn to choose healthy foods on a budget.

Making Sure Vaccines Are Available (Senate Bill 3)

This law lets the Department of Health buy vaccines recommended by medical experts like the American Academy of Pediatrics. This means doctors, not politicians, make health decisions.

The bill also:

• Allows adult vaccine recommendations

• Requires health insurance to cover recommended vaccines for free

Keeping Public Radio and TV ($6 million)

Federal cuts threaten to shut down local news and emergency alert systems, especially in rural and tribal areas. Legislators gave:

• $5.5 million to FCC broadcasters losing federal money

• $430,000 to media serving New Mexico's tribes, nations, and pueblos

In rural areas, public broadcasting is often the only source of local news and emergency alerts. This money protects that lifeline.

What This Means for You

• Families won't lose health insurance when prices go up

• Rural hospitals and clinics will stay open

• Seniors and children will keep getting food help

• Communities will still get local news and emergency information

• New Mexicans can get the vaccines they need

What's Next?

Legislators know this special session only fixed the most urgent problems. More work is needed as federal cuts keep affecting New Mexico. But this Session showed that New Mexico will take care of its residents.

In the 2026 Legislative Session, we will work on:

• Medical agreements (compacts) between states

• Bringing more healthcare workers to New Mexico

• Lowering prescription costs

• Crime, public safety, drugs, and addiction

• Mental and behavioral health

• Water and our environment

CELEBRATING A NEW SPACE FOR COMMUNITY, LITERACY AND FUN IN LA CIENEGA

Photo caption: Recently, Senator Stefanics joined La Cienega Valley Association members (left to right) Pamela Romero, Mary Dixon, Linda Grill and Andrea La Cruz-Crawford to celebrate the new La Cienega library.

Have a question or need assistance?

Please reach out to my District Legislative Aide (DLA), Anne Strader. She can be reached at anne.strader@nmlegis.gov or 505-946-5589.  She is also available to meet in person in our office space on the Santa Fe Community College campus, call or email her to set a date and time. 

Liz Stefanics

Senator, District 39