REPORT: 118 K IN NM QUALIFY FOR INSURANCE SUBSIDIES

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) A health care policy group estimates 118,000 New Mexicans may qualify for federal subsidies to help them buy health plans through a newly established online marketplace. The nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation said 17 million Americans will be eligible for tax credits that can lower the cost of insurance purchased through exchanges operated by states and the federal government.

The credits are available to people with incomes from about $23,600 to $94,200 annually for a family of four. New Mexico has implemented a stateun computer system to sign up small businesses for insurance but initially is relying on a federal exchange website for individuals.

The foundation estimates 193,000 New Mexicans are potential exchange customers because they are uninsured or buy their own insurance rather than getting it through employer-sponsored coverage.