FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 12, 2025

Contact: Bushra Elfarissi

(505) 819-8887

Bushra.elfarissi@sto.nm.gov

ICYMI: State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya Condemns House Republicans’ Plan to Gut Medicaid, Life-Saving Programs During Press Conference on Capitol Hill

Washington, D.C. – New Mexico State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya was joined by Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti, Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell, and Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak for a press conference in Washington, D.C. to condemn House Republicans’ budget calling for

$880 billion in drastic spending cuts over the next 10 years, which would likely be

impossible to achieve without devastating Medicaid or Medicare.

Cuts to Medicaid will likely result in higher premiums and copays for patients, hospital, clinic, and medical office closures, and decreased access to health care coverage for workers as small businesses and employers are forced to pay more for their employees’ benefits or cease providing health insurance entirely. Addressing the ramifications of these budget cuts at the state-level will put significant strain on New Mexico’s economy and public resources, risking the stability and health of communities across the state.

State Treasurer Laura M. Montoya:

“Speaker Mike Johnson’s and the House GOP’s recently passed budget, which includes cutting Medicaid by almost $1 trillion over the next decade, will have disastrous consequences for the vulnerable New Mexicans and Americans across the country who rely on Medicaid for critical medical coverage. This is a reckless policy that will undoubtedly harm our communities, our state, and the entire nation.”

“When I talk about Medicaid or the detrimental effects of Speaker Johnson’s plan to cut critical federal benefits, I’m not just talking about government programs. I’m talking about the choice between life and death forced upon hard working people that cannot afford the

right to health care under our current system, let alone a system that will be inaccessible

and fiscally unsustainable by design.”

“It’s exhausting to hear Congress talk out of both sides of their mouth. On one end, they’re saying that they care about veterans, they care about small business, they care about kids, they care about families, but all of their actions are showing everything but that in doing these types of cuts.”

A recording of this press conference can be accessed here.

Treasurer Montoya’s statement timestamp: 2:32 – 5:2G