New Mexicans share fears of surging health insurance bills

Higher health insurance bills are expected to hit New Mexicans hard as leaders in Washington battle over extending the tax credit through the Affordable Care Act. Friday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich sat down with some people who say sky-rocketing premiums will hurt their wallets.
As new Mexicans and people across the country are enrolling to renew their medical insurance, some said they are seeing their premiums double in price. “I expected maybe 200, 300, maybe $500 but it was almost $1,500 increase for our family,” said Las Cruces resident Amber Romero. She shared how much more her health insurance company will charge going into the new year.
Romero said she is considering going to Mexico for her health care to save money. “My husband and I have talked about possibly only insuring our minor children and the two of us we live in Las Cruces so maybe going to Palomas,” said Romero. She is one of three people who sat with U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich expressing their fear over increasing health premiums.
Maresa Thompson said her monthly bill went up from $541 to $975. “I had to spend an entire two days out of my life researching, comparing, and then calling all of my doctors to say do you take this new insurance cause I’m switching this one provider to another,” said Thompson. As Washington argues over extending federal Affordable Care Act tax credits, the New Mexico legislature has stepped in with $17 million in state subsidies to make up the difference.
State officials said this support will help most of the people enrolled through be well keep their coverage affordable, but for some who make a higher income, they’ll still face higher premiums. Senator Heinrich said he is planning on sharing those stories when he returns to Capitol Hill. “I think there is a general misunderstanding of what the scale of this problem is, and I think my colleagues are gonna get earful for the next several months,” said Senator Heinrich.
State tax credits to offset the lost federal subsidies are based on an income scale, but lawmakers said that only covers the gap until July; they’re hoping Congress will act and start covering the subsidies again.