Health Care Authority to brief public on new federal Medicaid requirements

More than 200,000 Medicaid members to begin receiving notices in September

Source: N.M. Health Care Authority

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions will hold a virtual news conference on Monday, August 31 to explain new federal Medicaid changes taking effect in late 2026 and early 2027. 

Beginning the week of Aug. 31, more than 200,000 New Mexico Medicaid members will receive notices about new work or activity rules that take effect Jan. 1, 2027. State officials will explain the changes, including who can qualify for Medicaid, who must meet the new work or activity rules, available exemptions, and what members need to do. 

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Officials will also provide an update on federal SNAP changes that took effect Jan. 1, 2026. They will also offer employment and training resources available to Medicaid and SNAP customers. 

HCA will also launch Keep Your Benefits, NM, a statewide public education and outreach campaign to help eligible Medicaid and SNAP customers navigate these federal changes and keep their benefits. 

When: 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, 2026 

Where: Zoom, link provided upon RSVP 

Speakers

• Kari Armijo, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Health Care Authority 
• Sarita Nair, Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions 
• Alanna Dancis, Acting Medicaid Director, New Mexico Health Care Authority 
• Niki Kozlowski, Income Support Division Director, New Mexico Health Care Authority 

The news conference will stream live on the New Mexico Health Care Authority Facebook page. A Spanish-language stream will be available on HCA’s YouTube channel.