TL/DR –
The New Mexico Health Care Authority has chosen five organizations for the Healthy Horizons initiative, aimed at improving health care in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. With over $74 million in funding, the initiative will enhance access to doctors, specialists, and a variety of healthcare services in these areas. The organizations, which include three hospitals, the Regents of the University of New Mexico (allocated for two regions), and Eastern Plains Council of Governments will work with local providers to identify community needs and create plans for better health care accessibility.
Santa Fe’s New Initiative for Better Health Care
The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has picked five organizations to run a new initiative, Healthy Horizons, to boost health care in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. This program is equipped with over $74 million to provide these communities better access to health care services near their homes.
Healthy Horizons, part of New Mexico’s five-year Rural Health Transformation Program, aims to enhance access to specialty treatment, maternal care, behavioral health, and chronic disease management for rural residents. The chosen Regional Hub Organizations will collaborate with local providers and community partners to assess needs, establish priorities, and develop strategies to deliver care closer to home.
Regional Hub Organizations and Their Allocations
Here are the selected organizations and their respective regional allocations:
- REGION 1: Cibola General Hospital / Gallup Community Health — up to $12,050,515.13
- REGION 2: The Regents of the University of New Mexico — up to $9,028,546.85
- REGION 3: The Regents of the University of New Mexico — up to $10,168,351.01, including $1,370,133.20 for statewide maternal health planning
- REGION 4: Eastern Plains Council of Governments — up to $7,904,851.99
- REGION 5: Gila Regional Medical Center — up to $15,226,026.46
- REGION 6: Nor-Lea Hospital District — up to $19,682,962.74
The total regional allocations sum up to $74,061,254.18. The funding will support approved Regional Hub activities and future regional health care priorities. HCA will need to approve budgets, work scopes, and implementation plans before funds can be used.
Implementing the Healthy Horizons Initiative
According to Elisa Wrede, acting rural health director, Healthy Horizons is founded on the belief that rural communities understand their needs best. These regional leads will align local partners, identify care gaps, and help develop solutions that cater to their communities’ needs.
HCA will now team up with each Regional Hub Organization to finalize budgets, scope of work, and initiate regional planning and community engagement. Organizations not selected as Regional Hub Organizations might still participate in Healthy Horizons as regional plans get developed.
For more info about New Mexico’s Rural Health Transformation Program and Healthy Horizons, visit the Rural Health Transformation Program’s official website.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) supports this project as part of a financial assistance award totaling $211,484,740.89, fully funded by CMS/HHS.
The New Mexico Health Care Authority connects New Mexicans to the care and support they need to live healthy lives. It oversees Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, cash assistance, child support services, and behavioral health care across the state. It licenses health care facilities, investigates complaints, and ensures providers deliver safe, high-quality care. HCA supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through various home and community-based programs that protect health, safety, and human rights.
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