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Dear County & Tribal Health Councils and Community Partners,
On behalf of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils, the 33 County Health Councils and the 10 Tribal Health Councils, we extend our deepest gratitude for your support during the 2026 NM Legislative Session which was critical in enlisting legislative support for sustaining the current base funding ($4M) to ensure this critical function of public health continues to serve communities statewide.
A extend a whole-hearted thank you to Governor Grisham, Lt. Governor Morales, Senator Munoz and Senator Shendo, and members of Senate Finance and House Appropriations committees for their support and collective leadership, which demonstrates a clear commitment to the health and wellbeing of New Mexicans in every corner of our state — from rural, urban, and frontier communities to Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos. Because of your support, County and Tribal Health Councils can continue serving as trusted health hubs, community conveners for coordinating multi-sector partners for bridging gaps in services, addressing behavioral health and social determinants of health, and ensuring that local voices shape solutions that improve population health and wellbeing.
We are especially grateful to our advocacy partners, not an exhaustive list:
- NM County & Tribal Health Councils
- NM Alliance of Health Councils
- Center for Health Innovation
- Pueblo of Santo Domingo
- Pueblo of San Ildefonso
- Pueblo of Acoma
- NM Native Voters
- NM Counties Association
- NM Voices for Children
- NM Climate & Health
- NM Farm to Table
- NM Thrives
- NM Public Health Association
- Mr. Conroy Chino, Tribal Lobbyist
- Mr. James Rivera, Tribal Member
- Mr. Regis, Tribal Advocate
- Ms. Anna Hansen, Tribal Lobbyist
- Mr. Darryl F. Mandalena, BeWell New Mexico
Thank you for your leadership and for standing with County and Tribal Health Councils for a healthy and thriving New Mexico.
2026 New Mexico Key Legislation: We also want to highlight monumental legislation that will directly supports health and wellbeing for New Mexicans, thanks to legislative bipartisan support:
Child Care and Families
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Senate Bill 241 & Funding: Establishes universal access to free childcare, supported by $160 million for program expansion, $30 million for early childhood professional wages, and $20 million in capital funding for capacity.
- Child Care Zoning Requirement: Eases local regulations to facilitate the opening and expansion of childcare centers and homes.
Education and Youth
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Senate Bill 29: Enhances teacher math licensure requirements, sets a Mathematics Instructional Leadership Framework, and implements K-3 early math screening.
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Senate Bill 64: Codifies the Office of Special Education within the Public Education Department to improve services for students with disabilities.
- Universal School Meals: Continuation of free breakfast and lunch for all students, with a maximum of one free meal per service.
Public Health and Safety
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House Bill 99: Enacts medical malpractice reform to increase the availability of healthcare providers.
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House Bill 1: Provides $162 million in emergency funding to address federal food assistance cuts and other urgent needs.
Key 2026 Aging Service Initiatives & Funding
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Long-Term Care & Caregiver Support: $6.2M million to expand programs like New Mexicare and support for informal caregivers. Learn more here.
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Nutrition and Senior Services: Increased funding to expand meals, transportation, and, per HB0042, medically tailored, frozen food for high-need areas.
- Adult Protective Services: $1.5M million to fund over a dozen new investigative caseworkers and supervisors.
- Tribal and Community Support: $5M million investment aimed at strengthening services, particularly for Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations, and increasing senior center attendance.
- Infrastructure & Safety: $600,000 for emergency preparedness and disaster response for aging populations.
- Legislative Action: Passage of a Medigap bill (HB 173 equivalent) creating an annual 60-day window for seniors to change Medicare supplemental coverage.
- Operational & Outreach: $1M for the annual conference and $500,000 for public awareness campaigns.
- Senior Dignity Fund: Targeted investment to support direct care services for the growing older adult population.
Here is the HB2 budget signed as passed by the Senate and in concurrence with the House of Representatives.
Please join us in expressing our many thanks to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Lt. Governor Howie Morales, Senator Munoz, Senator Shendo, Senate Finance Committee members and House Appropriation Committee members for their leadership, dedication and support.
And THANK YOU again! We look forward to our continued work together in service of our communities statewide. Stay tuned for the 2026 Community Collaborative Forum early May meeting (hybrid) to follow up and focus on the rest of the year! Join the CCF Hub to stay informed, connected and engaged (link).
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