Luna County Residents Face New Medicare, Medicaid Rules Under Federal Law

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DEMING – Luna County residents who rely on Medicare or Medicaid are facing sweeping changes to their healthcare access and eligibility following the July 4 signing of a major federal law by President Donald Trump. The legislation, widely known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, restructures how the nation’s two largest public healthcare programs are funded and administered.

Signed at the White House during a holiday ceremony, the law affects millions of Americans, including hundreds in Luna County who depend on Medicaid for basic coverage or Medicare for retirement and disability-related care.

Medicaid Recipients Face Work Requirements, Cost Sharing

Among the most immediate changes is the introduction of mandatory work and activity requirements for Medicaid recipients. Beginning in late 2026, adults aged 19 to 64 who are not caregivers or disabled will be required to complete 80 hours per month of work, job training, volunteer service, or education in order to retain their health coverage.

Exemptions apply to parents of children under 14 and individuals with certified disabilities. However, health experts warn that many could lose coverage due to administrative barriers or difficulty documenting qualifying activities.

The law also mandates more frequent eligibility checks. State agencies must now verify Medicaid eligibility every six months instead of once per year, raising concerns about paperwork errors and disenrollments.

In addition, Medicaid enrollees with incomes just above the federal poverty line may see new co-payments of up to $35 per visit for medical care.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, an estimated 10 to 11 million Americans could lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade due to the combined effect of the work requirement, re-verification rules, and new cost-sharing provisions.

Medicare Cuts May Raise Out-of-Pocket Costs for Seniors

Luna County seniors and disabled residents covered by Medicare are also expected to feel the effects of the law.

The bill includes approximately $500 billion in automatic funding reductions to Medicare between 2027 and 2034 through a process known as sequestration. These cuts are projected to affect services such as outpatient care, diagnostics, and potentially physician payments.

Advocates for seniors say the changes will raise out-of-pocket costs, especially for low-income Medicare beneficiaries who previously qualified for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). These programs, which help cover premiums and copays, are being delayed or rolled back under the new law.

“People living on a fixed income are going to be hit the hardest,” said a policy brief from the Medicare Rights Center. “Even a $15 increase in medication or a $40 copay for an outpatient test can be devastating.”

The law also institutes a five-year waiting period for Medicaid access by lawful permanent residents, reversing previous provisions that allowed earlier enrollment.

Local Effects in Luna County

In Luna County, where over a third of residents qualify for public healthcare, the changes are expected to have a tangible impact. Mimbres Memorial Hospital, already flagged as financially vulnerable due to its reliance on federal reimbursements, could face additional strain. As of this report, the hospital has not issued a public statement on the matter.

For Medicaid recipients, the administrative burden of documenting monthly activity and tracking eligibility renewals could lead to coverage disruptions if deadlines are missed. Meanwhile, Medicare enrollees are being urged to review their statements and plan for possible increases in deductibles, medication costs, and doctor visit charges.

What Residents Should Do

  • Medicaid enrollees should begin tracking monthly activity hours and prepare for semi-annual income verification.
  • Medicare beneficiaries should monitor premium notices, drug plan updates, and explore any remaining financial assistance options.
  • Lawful immigrants should seek guidance on Medicaid enrollment timelines due to the new five-year bar.
  • All residents are advised to stay connected with healthcare navigators, Luna County Human Services, and local clinics to avoid coverage disruptions.

No Longer Hypothetical

These changes are not proposals—they are now federal law. As provisions begin to take effect in late 2026, just ahead of the midterm elections, patients, providers, and local agencies should prepare for a period of adjustment and review.

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