Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has announced that four rural health care organizations in New Mexico will receive a total of $5.4 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund. This funding aims to improve access to health services for residents in underserved areas.
The announcement coincided with National Rural Health Day and marks the first allocation from the $46 million fund established during the 2024 legislative session. The initiative seeks to address challenges faced by rural health providers, such as geographic isolation and financial constraints.
“Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care close to home,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Rural health care providers are lifelines in their communities. This funding is a bold investment in the health and dignity of our rural communities, ensuring no New Mexican is left behind.”
The initial funds will support several key services, including maternal health care, behavioral health programs, and primary care expansion:
- Meridian Behavioral Health Inc.: Will expand reentry services for children in state custody and incarcerated individuals while launching Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services across Cibola, San Miguel, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties with an estimated award of $759,141.
- Multicultural Evaluation and Consultation Associates, LLC: Aims to enhance maternal health care coordination across Curry, Chaves, Doña Ana, Lea, Quay, and Roosevelt counties with an estimated award of $1,617,176.
- Renew Health: Plans to open three new clinics offering behavioral health services with MAT in Chaves, Curry, Doña Ana, Lea, Quay, and Roosevelt counties with an estimated award of $997,000.
- Santo Domingo Pueblo: Will expand behavioral health and primary care services for Tribal communities in Sandoval County with an estimated award of $2 million.
These projects are expected to launch new or expanded services by the end of 2024.
Rural areas often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare due to long travel distances and limited provider availability. The fund aims to alleviate these issues by ensuring that residents can receive necessary care locally.
Further awards from the $46 million fund will be announced in December as part of ongoing efforts to improve access to various types of healthcare across New Mexico.
For more information about the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund and its recipients visit www.hca.nm.gov/primary-care-council.
