May 14th, 2025It's Your Money, And You Worked Hard For It

Dear Friend, Over 1 in 4 New Mexicans depend on Medicare for their prescriptions and life-saving care. But Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been crystal clear: they want to gut these benefits. We are talking about benefits that New Mexicans have worked their whole life to earn. We cannot let Trump and Musk raid these hard-earned benefits to fund their billionaire tax handouts. Last month, we talked to Cochiti Lake resident Wendy Murrell. Wendy shared how important Medicare and Social Security have been to her and her husband, especially when her husband suffered a life-threatening stroke. Medicare covered everything – from brain surgery to ICU stays to hospice care. And now that her husband has passed, Wendy depends on her monthly Social Security check to buy groceries, pay the electricity bill, and put gas in her car. We asked Wendy what she thought of Trump and Musk’s illegal attacks on these services. She told us: “Do not come after Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. It’s not what this country wants.” Please take a moment to listen to Wendy’s story, and share your own by calling our office at (505) 346-6601. VIDEO: Wendy Murrell shares what Medicare and Social Security mean to her TRANSCRIPT Wendy Murrell: My name is Wendy Murrell. I'm extremely concerned about what is happening to our country. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid in New Mexico is vital. I want to make sure that Medicare is protected. My husband suffered a stroke two years ago. Massive stroke. He wasn't able to speak or walk, and they took him to UNM hospital in Albuquerque. He received excellent care. He was on hospice for the last year of his life. We ended up not paying a cent for his care, and that was surgery on his brain. A stay in the ICU. Two rehab centers. And then hospice for a year. And I think that all came out to over $128,000. We had additional insurance of course, but we did not pay one cent for anything. It was incredible. I couldn't believe it. But it was something I didn't have to worry about. There were so many other things, trying to take care of him. I am very grateful for that. I'm terrified. I'm thinking, "What am I going to do, if my Social Security check doesn't come?" I mean I'll be okay for a while, but when that runs out... shakes head. And I know there are a lot more people in worse shape than I am, financially. There's nothing, no safety net, for us. And it's not like we're taking money from the government or other people. It's our money. It's our money we put there and worked hard for. I worked most of my life. My husband worked since, had a Social Security card when he was eleven, I think. And yeah, it's terrifying. Do not come after Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid. People in this country depend on it. It's not what this country wants. Sincerely, MARTIN HEINRICH United States Senator