Jeff Bingaman: “However, none of these initiatives have been more important than the legislation that we are introducing together today…”

“However, none of these initiatives have been more important than the legislation that we are introducing together today, along with a list of 13 other senators--7 Republicans, 5 Democrats, and 1 Independent, 7 of which serve on the Senate Finance Committee--to create a Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid. Medicaid is a critically important health care safety net program that provides health care services to over 50 million low-income children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities. In New Mexico, Medicaid is the single largest payor for health care. All told, Medicaid covers the health care costs of more than 400,000 New Mexicans--nearly one-quarter of our State's population.”