ALBUQUERQUE, MAY 12-The Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) rebukes Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's alarmist claims made on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, where she resorted to fearmongering about federal Medicaid cuts. While she attempted to paint a dire picture to deflect from her failures, her own secret efforts to divert New Mexico's tax dollars to healthcare for non-citizens jeopardize Medicaid access for our state's most vulnerable citizens.

In response, RPNM Chairwoman Amy Barela issued the following statement:

"Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent interview on Face the Nation was nothing more than fearmongering dressed up as leadership. What she didn't say is just as dangerous as what she did. The truth is, New Mexicans are at greater risk today because of this Governor's continued decision to put illegal immigrants ahead of our own citizens.

Her push to provide taxpayer-funded health insurance for individuals who are here illegally is not only fiscally irresponsible-it's a slap in the face to hardworking New Mexicans. Our state is already struggling to meet the healthcare needs of its residents, and now we're being told to stretch an already limited budget even further. This reckless policy threatens to strip deserving citizens of the coverage they rely on.

We need real solutions-not political stunts and federal talking points. It's time for Governor Lujan Grisham to stop adding to the problem and start putting New Mexicans first."

A recent report revealed that Governor Lujan Grisham attempted to approve a $1.75 million contract as part of a $56 million healthcare expansion program that included services for "undocumented immigrants" funded by state tax dollars. Further scrutiny of this no-bid contract with a close friend and former business partner was halted only after public and media scrutiny.

Lujan Grisham's warnings of presumed federal Medicaid cuts ring hollow when her own actions prioritize non-citizens over New Mexicans who rely on Medicaid. RPNM calls on the Governor to cease her lies about the federal government and focus her attention on protecting Medicaid for New Mexico's most vulnerable legal citizens.