New Mexico is ahead of the curve (for once) using AI to check Medicaid eligibility

New Mexico is perpetually behind when it comes to quality of governance and efforts to make sure our tax dollars are used effectively. So, it is worth recognizing when New Mexico is actually doing something right. According to reports from Source NM and others New Mexico is one of just six states using A.I. to comb through documents submitted by those receiving Medicaid who are subject to new requirements contained in the federal Big Beautiful Bill that they obtain work or education for 80 hours a month.

RGF supported and continues to support these work requirements for moral and policy reasons. They are also supported by more than 60% of Americans and even NM Gov. MLG has not criticized them recently.

We believe that able bodied people should not be handed a check every month and just left alone. They SHOULD be receiving training or have the benefit of providing for themselves in some way. This is good for their self-identity and keeps them engaged in society as opposed to sitting at home.

But, as critics of work requirement have pointed out, “Medicaid work requirements generally cost more than they save due to high administrative burdens and complex IT system upgrades.” Partially that’s because training doesn’t pay at all and these tend to be workers at the marginal economic level who are paying relatively low/no taxes. So, while A.I. shouldn’t and can’t make final decisions on whether someone is making the needed decisions in order to receive Medicaid, it would seem that A.I. will have positive impacts in reducing the burden of processing all of those documents.