Economic and Fiscal Impacts of the Medicaid Expansion in New Mexico

This report updates a previous analysis performed by UNM BBER on the likely impacts of Medicaid Expansion in New Mexico. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) as enacted on March 23, 2010, states were required to extend Medicaid coverage to low-income adults under 65 years old with incomes up to 133% percent of the poverty level (138% after income disregards). However, the Supreme Court held that the federal government cannot withhold current Medicaid funding should a state decide to opt out of the Medicaid Expansion. When the previous report was written, New Mexico had not decided whether to implement the Medicaid Expansion. Subsequently, in January 2013, Governor Susana Martinez announced her decision to have New Mexico participate in the expansion.