Download this fact sheet (April 2025; 1 page; pdf)
Medicaid is essential for providing health coverage to New Mexicans, particularly in rural communities. Children and non-elderly adults living in small towns are more likely to rely on Medicaid for their health insurance. Potential federal cuts to Medicaid would be devastating for our state, threatening a vital lifeline to health care. Communities could lose healthcare clinics and providers, leading to increased medical debt for families and poorer health outcomes overall. Congress must reject any attempts to cut Medicaid funding. Our rural communities and small towns are the backbone of New Mexico, and Medicaid is crucial for ensuring that everyone has access to a doctor or nurse when they need care.
Endnotes
1. Georgetown Center for Children and Families defines rural areas and small towns as non-metropolitan counties with no urban areas of at least 50,000 residents.
2. 31.6%, or very close to 33.3%.
Source: “Medicaid’s Role in Small Towns and Rural Areas,” Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, 2025.