Have you heard the good news? While health insurance costs are going up across the country, New Mexico is doing things differently. Our state legislators—people who make laws—listened to the concerns of thousands of New Mexicans who were worried about losing their health insurance and put state money to work to keep coverage affordable.
The Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits expired on Dec. 31, 2025. These credits helped make health insurance more affordable for people across the state and at all income levels. When those enhancements expired, it looked like people’s coverage was going to increase by hundreds of dollars every month.
But New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and state legislators used $17.3 million from the Health Care Affordability Fund to cover the gap created by the expiration of the enhancements for people who get their health insurance through BeWell. That was on top of the $72.3 million set aside from that fund earlier in the year.
Because of this action, marketplace health insurance is still affordable in New Mexico. And more people than ever are benefitting from it: more than 84,000 people get their coverage through BeWell in the first half of 2026! If people hadn’t raised their voices—and if the legislators hadn’t listened—the average person would have faced a $1,500 per year increase in their health insurance costs.
This is a huge win for our wallets, our families and our health! But the work to keep health insurance affordable in New Mexico is just beginning.
Why Should I Speak Up?
State legislators need to hear from you to know what matters most to the people of New Mexico. If affordable health coverage is a priority for you, tell your legislators you need them to continue state assistance for BeWell.
Remember that funding from the Health Care Affordability Fund? That money is only enough to keep BeWell coverage affordable through June 30, 2026. To keep premiums low after that, the legislature needs to approve more funding in the state budget.
Share feedback with your state legislators in two ways:
- Give kudos: Post to BeWell’s Kudoboard and let them know the Health Care Affordability Fund benefits you and that you appreciate their hard work as your elected lawmaker.
- Encourage action: Ask lawmakers to keep the funding going so you don’t face extreme price increases this summer. Your story reminds them that these decisions impact real New Mexicans.
How Do I Find My Legislators?
Every New Mexican has two state legislators: a senator and a representative.
You can find out who they are and how to reach them in three easy steps:
- Visit the “Find My Current Legislator” website.
- Click “Search by Your Address,” type in your home address and press “Search.” Use the “Political Body” dropdown menu to select “House of Representatives” and “Senate” to find both of your legislators.
- The site will show your legislators’ names and how to contact them.
What Should I Say?
You don’t need to be a policy expert or use fancy political words. The most powerful thing you can share is your own real-life experience! Legislators work for you, and they want to know how changes to laws and funding impact their neighbors.
Here’s a simple three-step formula for a call, letter or email:
- Introduce yourself: “Hi, my name is _____. I live in your district, and I get health insurance through BeWell.”
- Share your why: “I want to thank you for supporting the Health Care Affordability Fund. It helps me save money on my monthly premiums, which helps me afford _____.”
- The ask: “Please keep supporting this funding in the new budget so my health care coverage stays affordable after June 30.”
Pro tip: Use the website 5Calls.org to easily find and call your legislators. It even provides a short script you can use to call live or leave a voicemail.
People Have the Power!
New Mexico state leaders chose to protect affordability for your health insurance coverage when federal leaders couldn’t agree on a plan. By taking a few minutes to call or email your legislators, you’re making a difference, too.
Let’s make sure they hear us loud and clear in Santa Fe: Affordable health insurance coverage matters to New Mexico.
