City of Albuquerque Partners with State to Help Residents Navigate Upcoming Medicaid Changes
Gateway Center hosting free public information sessions on November 5 as part of the state’s Keep Your Benefits NM initiative
As federal changes to Medicaid coverage take effect, the City of Albuquerque is partnering with the New Mexico Health Care Authority (NMHCA) to make sure residents facing the greatest barriers have the information and support they need to protect their coverage. The Department of Health, Housing and Homelessness (HHH) will host two free public information sessions at Gateway Center on November 5 as part of the state’s Keep Your Benefits NM outreach initiative.
The partnership reflects HHH’s broader commitment to connecting Albuquerque residents with benefits and services, helping them maintain coverage as federal changes come into effect, and supporting them in acting early before coverage lapses become crises.
“Medicaid is a lifeline for tens of thousands of people in this city, and we’re not going to wait for people to fall through the cracks before we act.” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Bringing this information directly into the community gives people a better chance to understand what’s changing, protect their coverage, and get help before a lapse turns into a crisis.”
“The people we serve every day experiencing homelessness, in recovery, or navigating the hardest moments of their lives are who are most at risk of losing coverage in a period of change,” said Gilbert Ramirez, Director of the City of Albuquerque Department of Health, Housing and Homelessness. “Bringing these sessions to our community partners directly ensures we can continue to support our city and the folks that need us most.”
“We’re grateful to have the City of Albuquerque as a partner in this effort,” said Jeffrey Horn, Deputy Bureau Chief, New Mexico Health Care Authority. “Gateway Center is exactly the kind of trusted, accessible space where people are already coming for support. Having trained staff on site and opening our doors to the community there is going to make a real difference.”
The New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Keep Your Benefits NM Information Sessions are free, open to the public, and designed to help New Mexicans understand what upcoming Medicaid changes may mean for their coverage. Two sessions are scheduled at Gateway Center on November 5, 2026: 1:00–2:30 PM and 5:00–6:30 PM, offering both afternoon and evening options to accommodate more residents.
Gateway Center (5400 Gibson Blvd SE) is the City’s flagship behavioral health and homelessness services campus and a central hub for residents seeking support. Six sessions are scheduled in Albuquerque in total, including additional dates at the Main Library (501 Copper Ave NW) on December 9, 2026 (12:00–1:30 PM) and January 7, 2027 (1:00–2:30 PM), and at two non-City locations: Presbyterian Rev. High Cooper Center on November 19, 2026 (12:00–1:30 PM) and the University of New Mexico Health Science Center (Domenici Center) on January 23, 2027 (9:00–11:00 AM). Virtual sessions are also available.
For the full schedule and to learn more, visit hca.nm.gov/keepyourbenefitsnm.