Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Friday, February 5, 2010

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Urges Passage of Measure to Help N.M. Economy and Pay for Medicaid

WASHINGTON – U .S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation that would help New Mexico and all other states pay for the increased costs of providing health care.  He is urging swift passage of the measure.

At Bingaman's urging, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included approximately $630 million in additional funding for New Mexico to help defray the costs of Medicaid – the federal/state initiative that provides health care to low-income Americans.  In addition, many experts believe this funding provides an important stimulation to state economies.  Funding will run out on December 31, 2010, half way through the state fiscal year.

The legislation Bingaman cosponsored today would ensure that New Mexico receives approximately $100 million in additional funding for Medicaid to bring it through the end of fiscal year 2011. New Mexico's state legislature and many other states are currently finalizing their 2011 budgets and swift action on this legislation is critical to overt cuts to Medicaid and other state programs.

"As Americans lost their jobs, many also lost their health care coverage as well, and states have struggled to deal with the increased demand on Medicaid.  The increased funding we were able to provide to states from the Recovery Act last year helped ensure that thousands of New Mexicans kept their health care coverage.  As we continue to focus on job creation, I believe we must also continue to help states defray the cost of Medicaid.  That's what this bill would do," Bingaman said.

As a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Bingaman was influential in helping write the Recovery Act in a way that ensured that New Mexico received its fair share of health care dollars.