Enrollment up in medical assistance

SANTA FE (AP) - More than 541,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in taxpayer financed programs providing medical assistance.

The state Human Services Department says there's been a 10 percent enrollment increase in the past year.

Of those receiving publicly funded health coverage, more than 300,000 are children. Medicaid covers the largest number of low-income New Mexicans and children. Nearly a fourth of the state's population lacks health insurance.

As part of an initiative this week focusing on the uninsured, the department is encouraging New Mexicans to check whether they qualify for one of several medical assistance programs.