Abortion rights

Legislative round up 2018- Here’s all the people who worked against women and access to healthcare this year

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This year’s 30-day session saw a litany of conservative attempts to once again limit women’s reproductive options in New Mexico by pushing for laws that interfere with personal reproductive health care decisions and that reinforce shame and stigma. Thankfully the progressive majority in both the House and Senate held such arcane bills at bay in committees, keeping reproductive choice in the hands of families who are the sole deciders of their health decisions. In this election year, it’s important that we remain focused on who these obstructionist legislators are so that voters can help move New Mexico forward in assuring women and families have access to whatever healthcare options are right for them, up to and including abortion. Every Representative above voted to restrict access to abortion in some form this year, and in years past. That includes Democratic Representatives Debbie Rodella and Carl Trujillo. 
Some “highlights” of the session include when Minority Leader Nate Gentry attempted to politicize a visit from Albuquerque Police Officer Ryan Holets.

Albuquerque Metro Area

Open Enrollment for Health Insurance Coverage Closes December 15th

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There is a deadline on the horizon that is supremely important to thousands of New Mexicans. This time of year many folks are focused on the calendar for holiday purposes. ProgressNow New Mexico, however, wants you to quickly turn your attention to your health. As we head into the last days of 2017, the days are even fewer in regards to how many you have to make a decision about your health coverage. 

Elections 2018

Steve Pearce and President Trump agree: No healthcare for you

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President Donald Trump yesterday signed an executive order aimed squarely at undermining major tenets of the Affordable Care Act after his party has repeatedly failed to pass so-called repeal and replace legislation since his term began. Trump’s actions jeopardize millions of Americans while being extremely unpopular with all but his more ardent supporters. Supporters like New Mexico’s own Steve Pearce. #ICYMI: Pearce Statement on @POTUS healthcare Executive Order: https://t.co/98nbeS58DN
— Steve Pearce (@RepStevePearce) October 12, 2017

Congressman Pearce’s statement blames Obamacare for “failing” without once mentioning the role he and the Republican majority in Congress have had in actively defunding it while failing to proactively replace the law with ANYTHING else. But honestly, what else could be expected from the man whose stance on healthcare in America is this:
…people should just “stay healthy until you are old enough for Medicare.”

Federal Issues

Graham-Cassidy: Worse than Other Repeal Bills (especially for NM)

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Here’s a couple of questions to consider about a plan that was already rejected once. Which part of the Graham-Cassidy Obamacare repeal is worse? 

 $1500 in funding cuts (cost increases) for New Mexico plans? or, 
Taking Medicaid money from NM to give to Texas to reward TX for not expanding Medicaid to help the poor.
We’ll let you decide… 

Defending New Mexico's Public Lands

Once again, Rep. Steve Pearce holds town hall and doesn’t really say anything

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Congressman Steve Pearce attended a small community meeting in Anthony today to answer questions about immigration, public lands, and healthcare but mostly used political platitudes and doublespeak to avoid answering anything. ProgressNow New Mexico was there and broadcast the whole thing live. Check it out:

Despite being over 15 minutes late the congressman still made constituents wait longer as he took questions from Univision reporters outside. By the time he actually started answering questions, it was nearly 10:30 and he only stuck around until 11:30, despite the event being billed from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The majority of questions from community members centered on immigration and then mostly about his stance on DACA and President Trump’s planned rescinding of that program.

"Mitch McConnell"

These 3 facts show how the Senate healthcare repeal impacts real New Mexicans (including you)

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) desperately wanted to have the US Senate vote on healthcare repeal before the July 4th recess because he was afraid that healthcare supporters (everyone but the 12% of Americans who approve of the bill) would have time to organize opposition. It turns out he was right, and for good reason. As healthcare experts and advocacy groups learn more about the bill, the worse the plan looks for average Americans, including hundreds-of-thousands of New Mexicans who would lose access to care. Need a quick update?  Here are three simple stats that explain just what the Republican Senate healthcare bill would mean to New Mexicans.