Del Esparza, chairman of the board of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and Terri Cole, GACC president and CEO, have expressed their support for the University of New Mexico Hospital mill levy on the Nov. 5 ballot. In an op-ed published in The Sunday Journal on Sept. 8, they outlined their reasons for backing the measure.
The Chamber leaders emphasized the importance of a robust health care system in attracting and retaining quality employees and businesses in Albuquerque. "And as Albuquerque residents, we know we and our fellow New Mexicans deserve great health care," they wrote. "So do all our chamber members; it’s why our board of directors voted unanimously to support the University of New Mexico Hospital mill levy that’s on the ballot this fall."
Esparza and Cole highlighted several key services provided by UNMH that would benefit from the funding:
New Mexico’s only Level 1 Trauma Center offers critical emergency services that can be life-saving during serious injuries such as falls or vehicle accidents.
UNM Children’s Hospital is noted for its specialized pediatric care, which attracts families to move to and stay in New Mexico.
As a teaching hospital, UNMH provides advanced medical care regardless of a family's ability to pay and serves as the primary teaching facility for the UNM School of Medicine.
The UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is recognized nationally for its cutting-edge research and treatments in various fields including genomics and nanotechnology.
These facilities are essential not only for individual health but also for making Albuquerque an attractive place to live and work.