Health Care and Community Health

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) helps to reform the healthcare system by giving more Americans access to quality, affordable health insurance, and helps to curb the growth of healthcare spending. As of January 1, 2014 all citizens in the U.S. required to have health insurance or pay a penalty. The only people who won't have to buy health insurance or pay a penalty are members of Native American tribes, those who are in prison, those whose income is below a certain level, and those with certain religious beliefs.

ACA Open Enrollment is open from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016.   BeWellnm.com is the website where New Mexicans can find financial help to lower their monthly health care costs. Make an appointment for free in-person assistance and have an assistor help you explore all your options and guide you through the enrollment process. When you have health insurance you protect your health and your wallet. Visit bewellnm.com or call 1-855-996-6449 for more information. For additional help, contact an enroller at one of these Enrollment Help sites in NM.

The ACA is also influencing health care systems to focus more on community health. One way is the ACA requirement for non-profit hospitals to complete community health needs assessments and implementation plans as part of their community benefit requirement. For more information on New Mexico hospitals, visit the New Mexico Hospital Association website and the quick links on the menu bar to right. ­­­

There is a large network of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in New Mexico that provide comprehensive services to an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors.  To find a FQHC near you, visit the Health Resources and Services Administration website.  In addition there are small community-based clinics (non FQHC) that continue to develop across the state in response to lack of access/affordability issues.

New Mexico Department of Health Offices provide health services across the state. Visit the New Mexico Department of Health website for more information on specific services offered.