OPINION: New Mexico must stop failing its care workers and the families they serve

For over two decades, I’ve been part of New Mexico’s home care system, helping families keep their loved ones at home with dignified care. But two years ago, caregiving became personal when my son, Tyler, was in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Overnight, our lives changed. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a provider in the system, I became a mother relying on it to keep my son safe, healthy and hopeful for the future.

I never imagined that the home care center where I worked for 22 years, supporting other families, would one day provide care to my own. Nor did I think that Taylor, a home care worker I had trusted with patients, would step into my home to care for Tyler. Taylor had worked at our center before the accident, and when it happened, she brought her expertise to us when we needed it most.

What Taylor does for Tyler goes beyond helping him bathe, get dressed and manage medications. She catches the small things — a sore that could become infected or a shift in his mood — preventing costly hospitalizations and improving his well-being. Thanks to her, Tyler is preparing to return to full-time work this year.

Studies show investing in home care saves money in the long run by preventing expensive hospital stays and nursing home placements. For families like mine, this support is crucial. Without Medicaid coverage for personal care services, I would have had to leave the workforce, with devastating consequences for our family. Investing in care isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s an economic one that supports working families and strengthens communities.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: as essential as Taylor is to Tyler’s life, she is paid just above minimum wage.

New Mexico is in the middle of a care crisis, and it’s time we face that reality.

Care work is undervalued, underpaid and unsustainable. Despite the life-saving role caregivers play, the reimbursement rate for personal care services only allows caregivers to be paid minimum wage or slightly above. Neighboring Arizona reimburses nearly $34.80 per hour, almost double New Mexico’s rate. Our care system relies on workers like Taylor, yet we are failing them.

This issue isn’t just about wages; it’s about the future of our care infrastructure. Across New Mexico, over 32,000 Medicaid recipients rely on personal care services to stay in their homes and out of institutions. These services are essential, not only for keeping people like my son healthy but for reducing the need for costly hospitalizations and nursing home placements.

With Medicaid reimbursement rates lagging behind the rising cost of living, care providers are struggling to attract and retain workers. Many caregivers take on multiple jobs to make ends meet, while others leave the profession for higher-paying opportunities. This instability creates gaps in care that put vulnerable people at risk.

Care work is often done in the shadows, yet it is foundational to our communities. Workers like Taylor are the first line of defense against preventable health issues. They step in before problems escalate and provide emotional support as critical as physical care. Their work reduces hospitalizations, promotes independence, and keeps families together.

Yet, despite this crucial role, care workers are paid far below what they deserve. The state’s reimbursement rate doesn’t allow for higher wages, and as a result, providers like myself have few options. We want to pay our workers more, but the system is stacked against us.

To ensure families can access high-quality home care, we must increase Medicaid reimbursement rates to attract and retain the skilled workforce we need.

Tyler’s journey toward independence is a testament to the skilled and compassionate care Taylor provided. After 20 years of overseeing care for others, I’ve always understood the importance of this work, but watching Taylor help my son reclaim his life gave me a renewed appreciation for the role of care in our lives. Care workers like Taylor deserve more than gratitude — they deserve fair compensation for the life-changing work they do.

To ensure families like mine continue to receive essential support, New Mexico must raise Medicaid reimbursement rates and invest in the caregivers who form the foundation of our care system.

Amy Corbin is the director of Clovis-based Community HomeCare.