State awards first round of grants under new rural health care fund

The three health care providers are among the initial recipients of the newly created Rural Health Care Delivery Fund grants for providers and facilities in counties with fewer than 100,000 people.

The fund, which is administered by the Human Services Department, was one of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s priorities during the 60-day legislative session earlier this year. The governor this week announced the selection of 11 rural health care providers across the state to receive the first $18 million in funding.

“Living in a rural area shouldn’t be a deciding factor for the level of health care New Mexicans receive,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

“It is a number one priority of this administration to take whatever actions are necessary to build up and support health care providers,” she added. “Taking a significant portion of the financial burden off of rural providers to expand access will have a real impact on the lives and health of New Mexicans.”

The 11 initial grant recipients “will receive expedited funding and must implement new services by the end of 2023,” a news release states.

“This funding program is so exciting — it will hit every corner of the state to benefit residents in rural counties [and] communities,” Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos, said in a statement. “The needs being funded include pediatrics, primary care, OB care, dental services, behavioral health and much more.”

Stefanics, who was among the three sponsors of Senate Bill 7, said she was “very grateful” her legislative colleagues “supported this funding wholeheartedly.” In the House, SB 7 received unanimous support. It passed the Senate 28-8 largely along party lines, with Republicans voting in opposition.

SB 7 initially called for a $200 million appropriation, which was removed in committee. A news release states the governor and Legislature “secured” $80 million for the fund.

“Grant agreements with the remaining recipients of the $80 million are in the final stages of approval and will be announced in November,” the news release states.

“We’re excited to hear the announcement of the initial awardees from the fund, and applaud the efforts of the governor and our Legislature to continue to address the needs of improving access to health care through measures like the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund,” Troy Clark, president and CEO of the New Mexico Hospital Association, said in a statement.