SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) has selected five organizations to lead a new effort to bring better health care to rural, frontier, and tribal communities.
The initiative, called Healthy Horizons, comes with more than $74 million to help these communities get access to doctors, specialists and other care close to home. Healthy Horizons is part of New Mexico’s five-year Rural Health Transformation Program and will support better access to specialty, maternal, behavioral health, chronic disease, and other health care services for rural New Mexicans. Selected Regional Hub Organizations will work with local providers and community partners to identify needs, set priorities, and develop plans to bring care closer to home.
The selected Regional Hub Organizations and regional allocations are:
- 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 regional allocations total $74,061,254.18. Funding will support approved Regional Hub activities and future regional health care priorities. HCA must approve budgets, scopes of work and implementation plans before funds are used.
“Healthy Horizons is built around the idea that rural communities know their needs best,” said Elisa Wrede, acting rural health director. “These regional leads will bring local partners together, identify gaps in care and help develop solutions that meet the needs of their communities.”
HCA will now work with each Regional Hub Organization to finalize budgets and scopes of work and begin regional planning and community engagement.
Organizations that were not selected as Regional Hub Organizations may still have opportunities to take part in Healthy Horizons as regional plans are developed.
New Mexico’s Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program is a five-year, federally funded initiative focused on expanding access to care, strengthening the rural health workforce, and supporting long-term sustainability for providers serving rural, frontier, and tribal communities. For more information about New Mexico’s Rural Health Transformation Program and Healthy Horizons, visit www.hca.nm.gov/rht.
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This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $211,484,740.89 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
About the New Mexico Health Care Authority
The New Mexico Health Care Authority connects New Mexicans to the care and support they need to live healthy, full lives. The agency administers Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), cash assistance, child support services, and behavioral health care across the state. HCA also oversees the State Health Benefits program for state employees and manages the Health Care Affordability Fund to help make coverage more affordable for working families. The agency licenses health care facilities, investigates complaints, and ensures providers deliver safe, high-quality care. In addition, HCA supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a variety of home and community-based programs that protect health, safety, and human rights.