ALBUQUERQUE, May 2, 2025—The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) warned that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s line-item veto, which removed legislative oversight, would open the door for taxpayer dollars to be used for providing healthcare to illegal immigrants—and it looks like that’s exactly what she planned to do. 

On Thursday, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the Lujan Grisham administration was on the verge of approving a $1.7 million contract as part of a $56 million Healthcare Coverage Expansion Program that included coverage for "undocumented immigrants" funded by state tax dollars. 

The contract was allegedly terminated after the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) learned that New Mexico Medical Insurance Pool (NMMIP) was "not a governmental or quasi-governmental agency." The suspicious timing of the termination, occurring after intense public and media scrutiny over coverage for illegal immigrants and the governor's decision to award a no-bid contract to a close friend and former business partner, suggests that it was also at least partly a response to increasing pressure.

“We were right—Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham was caught trying to divert New Mexicans’ tax dollars to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants,” said RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela. “This outrageous betrayal not only would have siphoned $56 million in taxpayer funds to benefit illegal immigrants but would have put federal funding at risk, threatening Medicaid for our most vulnerable citizens. Legislators must restore oversight to ensure New Mexicans can never be robbed like this again!”

The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) advances the ideals of individual liberties for the advancement of its citizens and the greater prosperity of our communities throughout New Mexico. Led by an Executive Board and its Chairwoman Amy Barela, RPNM serves all New Mexicans via its headquarters in Albuquerque and can be contacted at (505) 298-3662.

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