By KRWG News
New Mexico – An estimated 140,000 uninsured New Mexico adults will qualify for Medicaid under a new federal health care overhaul.
Human Services Department officials outlined the changes to lawmakers on Thursday.
The federal law requires an expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in 2014. The federal government initially will cover the cost of the Medicaid expansion, but states must start paying a share of the larger program in 2017.
Gov. Bill Richardson has formed a team of administration officials to prepare for implementing the federal health care law. Recommendations will be made to Richardson by July.
Human Services Secretary Katie Falls is leading the administration group. It's separate from a task force that will make recommendations to the Legislature later this year for implementing federal health care mandates.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.