TRISTAN AHTONE, BYLINE: New Mexico has one of the largest Native American populations in the nation, and nearly 40 percent of that population currently lacks health insurance. Take John Armijo, for instance. He's an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Jemez. And when he learned he would be eligible for Medicaid in 2014, he says it came as a relief.

JOHN ARMIJO: I was thinking, oh, God, you know, this will be great, you know, for me, one of the baby boomers, and my fellow tribal members. It'll be a great thing. And if that happens, I won't have to wait for the retirement age to have these services.

AHTONE: Armijo works part time for the U.S. Forest Service, which doesn't provide him with insurance, and currently makes too much money to be eligible for Medicaid. However, next year, when the state expands the program, Armijo will have coverage and choices.

ARMIJO: If my health deteriorates or goes bad, then I'll be looking for other services, you know, like special doctors or special hospitals or whatever.