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U.S. gender wage gap grows for first time in a decade; Trump has embraced NC's Mark Robinson, calling him 'Martin Luther King on steroids'; Volunteers sought as early voting kicks off in MN; Women's political contributions in congressional races fall short of men's.

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Rising threats of political violence, a Federal Reserve rate cut, crypto industry campaign contributions and reproductive rights are shaping today's political landscape.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

50th Anniversary Report Examines Medicaid in New Mexico

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Monday, July 20, 2015   

SANTA FE, N.M. - A new report shows how many people in New Mexico benefit from Medicaid as the program's 50th anniversary on July 30 draws near.

Judy Solomon, vice president of health policy with the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, says Medicaid provides health coverage for 576,100 low-income seniors, children and people with disabilities in the state. She says it's especially helpful for New Mexico's youngest residents.

"Less than 10 percent of kids are uninsured, and that is because of Medicaid," says Solomon. "There is no way you would have a percentage like that without the Medicaid program that's covering almost 350,000 kids."

Solomon says the program also helps improve financial security, because people with Medicaid are less likely than people without insurance to go into medical debt, or to leave other bills unpaid to cover their medical expenses.

She adds the Affordable Care Act, which led to Medicaid expansion in New Mexico and many other states, may be the most significant change in the program's history. She says it expanded a program that was previously limited by income thresholds and other factors.

"So, the ability to cover all adults, regardless of whether they're caring for a child in their home, or regardless of whether they're pregnant, is just incredibly important in ensuring the health of everybody in the country," she says.

Solomon says since Medicaid was expanded in New Mexico in 2013, the state's uninsured rate for adults dropped by nearly five percent.


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