Rep. Gabe Vasquez Fights to Reverse Devastating Republican Health Care Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C.- On September 11, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02)cosponsored H.R. 4849, the Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act, to reverse Republicans' devastating health care cuts and permanently extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits.

The bill repeals harmful provisions in the Republican tax bill that slash Medicaid coverage for 110,000 New Mexicans, cut provider payments, and reduce health care eligibility for working families. It also permanently extends the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits - ensuring working families continue to have access to affordable health care coverage.

"For many folks in New Mexico, reversing these Republican cuts to health care coverage is literally a matter of life or death," said Vasquez. "For seniors in Socorro, farmworkers in Deming, and families in Hobbs, losing access to health care coverage means going without life-saving medicine, critical checkups, or treatment when it matters most. With this bill, I am fighting to protect working families across New Mexico by reversing these harmful cuts, ensuring no one has to choose between seeing their doctor or putting food on the table."

Because of the Republican tax bill passed earlier this summer, an estimated 38,000 people in New Mexico's second district will lose Medicaid coverage. Additionally, the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits will more than double premiums for over 18,000 residents of the district who purchase insurance through ACA marketplaces. 17,000 people in the district rely on these credits to afford coverage, but the Republican tax law made them set to expire at the end of this year - driving up out-of-pocket premium costs by more than 200%, or about $700 annually. This will be catastrophic for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Vasquez introduced the bill as a direct response to concerns he heard from constituents, doctors, and providers across Southern New Mexico. In June, Vasquez visited Socorro General Hospital, where staff warned that the Republican tax law threatens access to care for expectant mothers. In August, he visited Carlsbad Medical Center and heard from hospital leadership about how the tax law will limit access to care, raise insurance premiums, and worsen the provider shortage in the state. Both hospitals are directly at risk of closing because of the harmful health care provisions in the Republican tax law.

"These subsidies are critical to keeping New Mexicans insured," said BeWell, New Mexico's Health Insurance Marketplace Chief Executive Officer Bruce Gilbert. "Health care coverage is an essential part of a vibrant, active and healthy community. We know being able to access affordable and reliable insurance through BeWell, changes lives."

Rep. Vasquez is committed to protecting access to affordable health care and rural hospital services for New Mexico families. During debate on the tax bill, he introduced an amendment to cap insulin at $35 for individuals with private insurance. The amendment was rejected by Republicans. He also cosponsored the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act to incentivize medical residents to train and practice in rural areas, and the CHIPP Actto permanently fund the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and expand coverage for children.

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