SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday called state lawmakers into a special legislative session in October to bolster safety net programs she says have been weakened by federal spending changes enacted this summer by President Donald Trump.
Lujan Grisham, a second-term Democrat, said the special session is intended to protect essential services after a Republican tax and spending bill signed in July reduced federal support for programs that provide Medicaid coverage and food assistance. More than 40% of New Mexico residents are enrolled in Medicaid, one of the highest state enrollment rates in the nation, making the program a central focus for state planning.
The governor’s office said the session will consider measures to shore up health care access, food assistance and other services that rely heavily on federal funding. State officials cited recent growth in New Mexico government revenue tied to record-setting oil production in the Permian Basin, which overlaps southeastern New Mexico and western Texas, as a fiscal factor that could inform legislative options.
State leaders across the West have begun weighing how to respond to the federal changes. Colorado legislators held a special session in August to address the effects of the same federal legislation, and officials in other states have signaled similar concerns about gaps that could emerge in coverage and benefits for vulnerable residents.
Officials in Santa Fe have not yet released a detailed agenda or a list of specific bills for the October session. Lawmakers will face decisions about how to use state funds, potential eligibility adjustments, and whether to tap one-time revenue or ongoing sources to replace reduced federal dollars. Advocates for low-income residents and health-care providers have urged prompt action to avoid disruptions.
New Mexico’s high Medicaid enrollment stems from longstanding poverty and an economy in which many residents rely on public programs for health care access. State leaders have repeatedly emphasized that abrupt reductions in federal assistance could strain local providers, increase uncompensated care costs, and raise pressures on food banks and other community services.
Lujan Grisham announced the session as part of broader Democratic opposition to the federal package, which supporters have argued will lower taxes and spur economic activity. The governor framed the move as ensuring that New Mexico can maintain services without leaving residents at risk of losing access to care or nutritional supports.
Legislative leaders must set the special session calendar and finalize proposals before lawmakers convene in October. The outcome could shape how New Mexico balances recent revenue gains from energy production with the need to protect programs that serve the state’s most vulnerable residents amid reduced federal support.