COMMENTARY: Medicaid has helped my family improve their quality of life, but Medicaid does not cover everyone. We should strengthen what already works by opening up Medicaid for every New Mexican. That’s why I am proud to support a Medicaid buy-in plan for New Mexico.
Courtesy photo
Vanessa Urbina
My hometown is Anthony, N.M. I grew up in an immigrant household where my father’s profession has been landscaping ever since he arrived to the United States at the age of about 16. He provided the main income for my household through his profession for my homemaker mother, my siblings and me ever since he brought my family to the United States in search of a better life.
Growing up, I always had Medicaid coverage thanks to my mother being informed on resources. When I was in 8th grade my appendix ruptured on Memorial Day. Things quickly turned for the worst, and I needed expensive emergency surgery to save my life. Since I had Medicaid, I was able to get surgery and everything was taken care of. My parents did not have to figure out how to pay the large price tag that came with helping me to see another day.
My mother and father also benefited from Medicaid. They both lived full lives, but also experienced great amounts of pain. A few years ago, both their pain levels peaked and they could hardly even walk. However, thanks to the treatments that got covered by Medicaid, they were able to get care and improve their quality of life.
My family is helped greatly by Medicaid health coverage, and we are very grateful for the help. We can go to the doctor when we need to and don’t have to put something like cost before our precious health.
All New Mexican families should have health insurance that allows them economic security and good health. They should have access to affordable health care without cost being a barrier.
Medicaid has served New Mexico well for over 50 years, and provides good, affordable health care to over 100,000 people in Doña Ana County. A well-designed Medicaid Buy-in plan would let more people — those that don’t currently qualify for Medicaid — buy into comprehensive health coverage offered through Medicaid.
Unfortunately, many New Mexican families — including over 25,000 Doña Ana County residents — do not have health insurance. Many families are not eligible for Medicaid due to immigration status or income. Many can’t use the insurance they do have because they don’t have the money to pay co-pays and or other costs.
I am one of many who make up the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, a movement of diverse families and organizations from across the state working to build support for a Medicaid buy-in plan. We have been working with policymakers across the state to pass resolutions in favor of exploring a buy-in option for New Mexico. The New Mexico House and Senate also passed a Medicaid buy-in memorial to study a buy-in option with bipartisan support during the 2018 legislative session.
And last night, the Board of Trustees of Anthony joined the City of Sunland Park, along with Bernalillo and McKinley counties, in passing a resolution in support of Medicaid buy-in. The resolution sends a clear message to state legislators that Anthony is in support of a Medicaid buy-in plan. Families like mine need an option that does what Medicaid does best — give families the option of comprehensive, affordable health coverage. New Mexico should take this opportunity to be a national leader in health care.
Vanessa Urbina’s hometown is Anthony, N.M. She is a Gadsden Panther and a New Mexico State University graduate from the public health bachelor’s degree program. Her family is from Durango, su primer lenguaje fue español, and she is a lifelong advocate on a mission to get dots connected toward a better world. Agree with her opinion? Disagree? NMPolitics.net welcomes your views. Learn about submitting your own commentary here.