Full Plate

by Donya Currie - 1/01/2012

With lawmakers focused on spending cuts, AARP wants to ensure that tightening the state's budget does not lead to steeper copayments for people enrolled in Medicaid programs. The Jan. 17-Feb. 16 legislative session offers a brief window for AARP and other advocacy groups to speak out against efforts to impose heftier copays on those least able to afford them.

AARP also opposes an idea floated by Gov. Susana Martinez (R) to have insurance companies serve on the state Health Insurance Exchange, which could lead to conflicts of interest. In addition, despite AARP's success in helping to defeat two bills in 2011 aimed at dismantling the state Aging and Long Term Services Department, the same fight could loom again in the current session.

To learn more, go to aarp.org/nm.