Thousands of immigrants in New Mexico lost Medicaid eligibility on October 1 as federal changes took effect, according to the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
For about 2,350 immigrants in New Mexico, losing Medicaid eligibility this month means navigating a new health care system while trying to avoid a coverage gap.
The change is about more than numbers. Health advocates say it could confuse families who have relied on Medicaid to cover routine visits, prescriptions, and other medical needs.
“We know that here in New Mexico, a lot of our families rely on their Medicaid coverage,” said Shanae Satriana, a health care advocate with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty.
Satriana said immigrant families need clear information about what the changes mean and what they can do next.
“People deserve to know what’s happening with their health care coverage,” she said. “We don’t think that, just because they’re not born here in New Mexico or in the United States, that they shouldn’t receive access to health care coverage.”
The changes are part of a broader overhaul of federal Medicaid eligibility requirements enacted in 2025. The impact extends beyond immigrant communities, with the Health Care Authority estimating that about 89,000 more New Mexicans could lose coverage beginning in January.
New Mexico is attempting to soften the impact by directing residents who no longer qualify for federal Medicaid toward BeWell, the state’s health insurance marketplace. Advocates have encouraged those affected to enroll by November 1 to help prevent their coverage from interruptions.
But for families already dealing with changing eligibility rules, moving from one coverage program to another can be difficult.
“They’re used to having their coverage whenever they need it, right?” Satriana said. “If they have a need, and they go and apply, they can automatically receive it. Now, they’re only going to have a certain time frame that they can apply for this coverage.”
Community organizations are stepping in to help residents understand their options and navigate the transition.
The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty is among the groups providing information and assistance to people facing changes to their health coverage. Satriana said the state has made progress expanding access to health care, but gaps remain.
“We’re proud to be in a state that has expanded coverage for all New Mexicans,” she said. “But there’s still more work that we need to do.”
For immigrant families, the immediate challenge is making sure the loss of Medicaid eligibility does not become a loss of access to medical care.
State and nonprofit resources help residents determine whether they qualify for other coverage and complete the enrollment process.
