MEDICAID FOR PERSONAL CARE SERVICES

HB 55 requires New Mexico's Health Care Authority to set a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate of $23.50 per hour for personal care services. It mandates that at least 70% of this reimbursement must directly fund wages and benefits for direct care workers (like home health aides), excluding costs for training or equipment. The bill appropriates $20.8 million to update Medicaid reimbursement rates for fiscal year 2026. This directly affects personal care service agencies and the workers providing in-home care to Medicaid recipients.