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Census: Fewer New Mexicans Going Without Health Insurance

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — More New Mexicans have access to health care than ever before thanks to the expansion of a government program aimed at helping low-income people. A report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the number of residents going without health insurance dropped nearly a quarter in 2015. The share of people in the state who were uninsured for the entire year was 10.9 percent, down from 14.5 in 2014. New Mexico is one of the states that opted to expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama's health care law. More than 879,000 people are now on the rolls in New Mexico. Despite improvements in coverage rates, some state lawmakers are concerned about the price tag as federal aid for Medicaid is scaled back. New Mexico already is facing a budget shortfall.