The candidates for New Mexicos open U.S. Senate seat would approach the countrys Affordable Care Act in different ways if elected in November.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich says he supports and would stick with the plan, while Wilson said she would repeal it.

Heinrich called the law a step in the right direction to help make health care more affordable and keep insurance companies from taking advantage of consumers including denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and canceling coverage when someone gets sick.

Wilson, a Republican and former House member, called the Supreme Courts vote on health care a mistake and said it should be undone.

But its not just enough to simply repeal the health care act, she said in a statement. The health care status quo is not acceptable either. We need to allow doctors and patients to make decisions about care, make health care more affordable, pass medical liability reform and continue to lead the world in health care research.

While the Affordable Care Act affects nearly every American, the candidates, who responded to questions from The New Mexican, havent focused much on the topic, said Gabriel Sanchez, a University of New Mexico political science professor. The health care law didnt come up in the candidates first televised debate earlier this week, and it hasnt been the most popular TV ad topic either, although one anti-Heinrich ad blasts him for supporting it.

I see it kind of couched more in the presidential discussion of the issue. But I think its important that the voters have a clear idea of where the candidates stand on this, said Sanchez, who also teaches a summer class in racial and ethnic health disparities at The University of Michigan.

With the Supreme Courts approval of the law, health care has moved up on voters radars, Sanchez said, but the issue still is behind the economy and immigration, at least for Latino voters.

One specific part of the Affordable Care Act that Wilson and Heinrich have addressed somewhat is whether New Mexico should expand its Medicaid program under the federal law.

Gov. Susana Martinez has yet to announce a decision on what the state will do.

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U.S. Senate candidates disagree on health care law