Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico signed a series of bills on Friday designed to improve food assistance, rural health care, and public broadcasting, addressing federal cuts that were recently put into effect.
This legislation is a response to a significant bill from President Donald Trump and the concern that health insurance premiums might increase due to the end of COVID-era subsidies for New Mexico’s Affordable Care Act exchange. The exchange subsidies are a central issue in the ongoing budget disagreements in Washington, which are linked to the federal government shutdown.
New Mexico would set aside $17 million to backfill the federal credits if they are not renewed, under legislation signed by the governor.
The New Mexico Legislature, controlled by Democrats, convened on Wednesday and Thursday to authorize $162 million in state funding for rural health care, food assistance, food banks, public broadcasting, among other areas.
This year, New Mexico anticipates a loss of roughly $200 million annually due to the new federal tax reductions. However, the state’s budget remains strong due to the surge in oil production.
“When federal support falls short, New Mexico steps up,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.
Most federal health care alterations under Trump’s significant bill will not take effect until 2027 or later. Democratic legislators in New Mexico have acknowledged that the bills they have passed are merely a temporary solution.
