The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has given its approval for the acquisition of land in Doña Ana County, which will be used to establish a comprehensive reproductive health care center. The decision was made during the board's meeting on May 16th, with a vote of 6-1 in favor.
The Reproductive Health Care Success Project (RHSP) is the result of years of collaboration between four leading organizations in New Mexico's reproductive health sector: Bold Futures NM, Strong Families NM, UNM Health, and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. The aim is to create a community-advised, full spectrum reproductive health care center that will cater to thousands of individuals residing in southern New Mexico who have been deprived of basic reproductive health care for decades.
Numerous barriers have been identified by New Mexicans that prevent them from accessing necessary care. These include high costs, long distances to providers, lack of public transportation, insufficient or no insurance coverage, limited knowledge about where to access care and shame and stigma surrounding reproductive health care.
"We are excited and privileged to be in partnership with our communities in the southern part of the state to increase access to needed health care and are dedicated to reducing health inequities across our state," said Eve Espey, MD, MPH, Department Chair at UNM School of Medicine OB/GYN.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature have allocated $10 million to initiate this project. Gov. Lujan Grisham has been a staunch advocate for reproductive rights in New Mexico for many years. "I am pleased to see the advancement of the Reproductive Health Project,” she said. “When fully operational this full spectrum, reproductive health care center will support and ensure that individuals in the southern part of New Mexico have access to comprehensive reproductive health care.”
Following approval for land purchase, collaborators and partners are currently addressing all priorities with the aim of breaking ground later this year. The goal is to open the reproductive health care center in 2025.
Executive Director of Bold Futures NM, Charlene Bencomo, expressed her satisfaction with the progress made. “We have needed real access to community advised, full-spectrum reproductive health care in Doña Ana County for my entire lifetime,” she said. “This unique partnership between long-time providers of reproductive health care, reproductive justice organizations, and trusted community leaders in our state have set a high expectation for the innovative and integrated care our communities deserve.”
Adrienne Mansanares, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains also shared her thoughts on the project. “We are honored to partner in this important endeavor with public funding going to UNM in support of a new reproductive health center in Las Cruces,” she said. “We take our responsibility to steward these funds seriously, knowing that high-levels of transparency and collaboration often result in longer timeframes. We prioritize these values over moving too quickly through this one-of-a-kind community-led endeavor.”
