Making Health Care Affordable & Accessible

One in 5 New Mexicans living in rural areas have trouble accessing health care and over half of New Mexico’s hospitals report critical staff shortages. Sweeping cuts made to Medicaid and ACA enhanced premium tax credits by the Republican tax law (H.R. 1) have only made matters worse, triggering sharp health care cost increases and threatening the closure of eight rural hospitals serving New Mexico’s 2nd District. 

From lowering health care costs to increasing accessibility, here’s how Rep. Vasquez is working to ensure New Mexicans have the resources they need to lead healthy lives:

Affordable Health Care

• Opposed the Republican tax bill which cut health care and slashed funding for SNAP in order to give massive tax breaks to billionaires and corporations - putting rural hospitals and nursing homes at risk of closing
• Cosponsored the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act to reverse devastating health care cuts in the Republican tax law and permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits
• Introduced the Patient Debt Relief Act to provide relief to individuals struggling with medical debt after an illness
• Led the PATIENT Act to put patients' needs over corporate profits to keep your costs low

Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

• Leading the effort to cap insulin at $35 for all New Mexicans, regardless of their insurance
• Cosponsored the Capping Prescription Drug Cost Act to keep annual out-of-pocket prescription cost under $2,000 for individuals and under $4,000 for families
• Voted to slash prescription costs, expand coverage for seniors, and ensure price transparency by passing the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act

Increased Accessibility and Safety

• Supported the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act to make it easier for New Mexicans to see the doctors and specialists they need by increasing the health care workforce
• Championed the Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act, aiding rural health centers to improve equipment and services
• Secured millions of dollars in grants to elevate health care standards in Tribal and rural areas

Protecting Reproductive Rights and Health Care Freedom

• Vasquez will always be a champion for women’s reproductive care. He is a leader on the Women's Health Protection Act to codify Roe v. Wade and led an effort to protect reproductive health care access for military service members.
• Vasquez also signed an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court standing up for women and their reproductive rights by ensuring the continued availability of Mifepristone.
• Vasquez supported the Access to Family Building Act to codify the right to access IVF nationwide. This bipartisan bill gives Americans peace of mind that they will be able to access this medical treatment, no matter where they live to start and grow their families.