Congressional News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich led U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to urge U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to reverse the Trump administration’s cuts to reimbursement rates for essential home health care services for veterans across New Mexico and parts of Texas.
Due to the Trump Administration’s cuts, as of Jan. 1, 2026, the reimbursement rate for veterans’ home care services in New Mexico fell by nearly 20 percent, which could result in fewer veterans receiving necessary home services. Approximately 68,000 New Mexico veterans over the age of 65 rely on VA health care, and nationally, one in 10 of these veterans use at least one home health care service.
The rate cuts come as the Trump administration is reportedly spending nearly $900 million a day on their war in Iran — putting their reckless war of choice above caring for veterans.
“Our country’s veterans answered the call to serve and defended our freedoms. They should have access to the care they have earned and need to live in dignity. Your cuts directly threaten that, particularly in New Mexico and Texas,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary Collins. “Veterans receiving home health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs have serious disabilities and conditions. To put it simply, the homecare services provided to these veterans are not luxuries.”
The lawmakers continued, “Impacts from the rate cuts are already being felt. Since the new rates went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, homecare providers in our states have had to lay off staff. That is undoubtedly resulting in less veterans receiving the care they have earned and deserve, particularly given that our states have high numbers of elderly veterans requiring high levels of care.”
“We urge you to reverse the reimbursement rate cuts and return these rates to 2025 levels immediately,” the lawmakers concluded.
Last week, Heinrich met with veteran-serving health care providers to discuss the impacts of the Trump administration’s rate cuts for veterans’ essential homecare services.
For additional background on Heinrich’s efforts to support New Mexico veterans, click here.
The full text of the letter is here.