I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The state officially has closed off enrollment to small employers who aren’t already part of a program that helps tens of thousands of New Mexicans afford health insurance by paying part of the cost of monthly premiums.
Last month the New Mexico Human Services Department stopped accepting applications from individuals wanting to enroll in the State Coverage Insurance (SCI) Program.
Beginning this Saturday, the agency will extend that action to small employer groups wanting to enroll, the department announced Monday. A waiting list will be created for those employers.
This move does not affect employer groups already enrolled in the SCI program, the agency said in a news release. Ssmall employers already enrolled can add employees who want to participate without waiting list limitations.
The waiting lists for individuals and small employers comes as part of the state’s efforts to save money. The decision last month to not enroll new individuals, and place them on a waiting list, is expected to save a projected $16 million this year. It’s unclear how much money will be saved by extending that action to small employer groups wanting to enroll.
The agency is preparing for a possible $300 million shortfall in next year’s state Medicaid budget, state officials have said.
Started in recent years, the SCI program helps individuals aged 19 to 64 who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level — $44,000 for a family for four – afford health insurance.
