Martinez did not help expand New Mexico Medicaid

Editor,

In honoring Gov. Susana Martinez with this year’s UNM Presidential Award of Distinction, UNM President Bob Frank cites her “critical contributions to the health and well-being of New Mexicans.”

Specifically, the governor is being recognized for her efforts to expand health care coverage under federal guidelines. Essentially this is for working with the Legislature to establish the New Mexico Health Insurance Exchange and for helping to expand Medicaid.

I beg your pardon.

The health insurance exchanges were mandated by the Affordable Care Act, which Martinez does not support. There was no choice.

Never mind that two years later the state health insurance exchange is not fully functioning. Martinez did not help expand Medicaid. The Medicaid expansion was set up as a federal program to increase the number of people qualifying for Medicaid.

In fact, the first three years is 100 percent federally funded. Martinez had no role in supporting the expansion. All she did was sign off on accepting the federal money to pay for it.

Awarding the UNM Presidential Award of Distinction to Martinez only serves to diminish the integrity of the award itself and to raise questions about the selection process.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Paul,

Daily Lobo reader