Bernalillo County released the final draft of the agreement it has been negotiating with UNM Hospitals for more than a year, and it's not good. We need your help to improve this important document.
Please join us in sending UNMH and Bernalillo County Commission a message:
"We can do better."
- Read EleValle's full analysis of the draft agreement here or click on this link for a shorter set of key points that you may use to submit your comments.
- This lease agreement addresses how UNM Hospital plans to address financial assistance for medically necessary care, patient navigation services as well as primary, mental and behavioral health care in exchange for the $96 million per year that we taxpayers give to ensure that we have a safety net.
- While the agreement does a good job making sure that UNMH complies with its contract obligations to Native Americans, and it focuses on much needed care and case management for people getting out of jail, it falls short when it comes to providing a safety net for low-income patients in Bernalillo County.
- The draft agreement is weak when it comes to holding our public hospital accountable for taking care of people who can't afford to pay. "We can do better."
- Please submit comments asking Bernalillo County and UNMH to do better when it comes to ensuring that all people get the medically necessary care they need without financial barriers; that we hold UNMH accountable through an oversight board; and that we fully fund the Pathways to a Healthy Bernalillo County program that pays a small army of community health workers to advocate for clients in need.
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