Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., marked the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by highlighting how hundreds of thousands of New Mexico families are benefiting from the expansion of Medicaid.

An additional 230,000 New Mexicans have gained health coverage through Medicaid and the federal children’s health insurance program – a 50-percent increase over 18 months.

“I am pushing Congress to make needed improvements to the Affordable Care Act so health care is more accessible to average families,” Lujan Grisham said. “But it’s clear that the Medicaid expansion associated with the ACA is a major benefit to low-income families in New Mexico.”

Increased access to Medicaid is also helping low-income families with earlier diagnosis for diseases like diabetes, which is especially high in New Mexico’s Hispanic and Native American communities. A new study reported by the Los Angeles Times suggests a major surge – by 23 percent – of newly identified diabetes cases in states that expanded Medicaid. Early diagnosis can help to stabilize the disease. 

“Increased access to health care allows early diagnosis of diseases like diabetes, leading to more effective treatment and increased quality of life.” Lujan Grisham said. “This is profound for a state like New Mexico. Early treatment is also cost effective because it prevents acute complications from the disease later on.”