The U.S. Census Bureau released data last week that shows that when New Mexico’s anti-poverty programs are taken into account under the supplemental poverty measure, the child poverty rate improves so that the state ranks 17th in the nation for child poverty instead of last.
The official poverty measure, which ranks New Mexico as last, counts only wage-based income. The supplemental poverty measure also counts anti-poverty programs, including refundable tax credits, noncash benefits such as SNAP and the local cost of living, according to a news release from New Mexico Voices for Children.
New Mexico Voices for Children called this “great news.”
“This information is crucial for lawmakers as it shows how anti-poverty policies improve children’s daily lives by providing essential resources that enhance well-being and lead to better long-term outcomes for families,” Gabrielle Uballez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, said in a news release.
According to the Census data, the rate of children in New Mexico without health insurance rose to 5.9 percent in 2023. In 2022, the rate of children without health insurance was 3.8 percent, according to the release. This was likely due to the end of the public health emergency last year, when Medicaid returned to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic eligibility requirements.
According to New Mexico Voices for Children, the 5.9 percent is close to the national rate of uninsured children, which is 5.4 percent.
“We know that poverty is a policy choice,” Uballez said through the release. “Fortunately, our state lawmakers continue to invest in state tax credits and income support programs that lift New Mexican families above the poverty line. We build upon our success by continuing to enact policies that work for our kids and families to improve access to benefits while also exploring new opportunities to build wealth, raise wages, and break generational cycles of poverty.”
Update: This story was updated to reflect that the figure is 17th, not 22nd.