Letter to the Editor:

--- A big Thank You to Lt Governor Howie Morales, Senator Siah Correa Hemphill, Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley, Representative Luis Terrazas ---

I want to express a sincere thank you to Senator Siah Correa Hemphill. There is an important piece of legislation that added funding for rural hospitals in New Mexico (Senate Bill 161) and when Senator Hemphill found out Gila Regional Medical Center did not qualify for the funding, she went to work advocating for a change in the bill. As a trusted member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hemphill advocated with other legislators and found a way to negotiate an amendment to the bill so more rural hospitals would have access to funds to provide essential health care services. Gila Regional Medical Center will have access to $5.7 million in additional funding because of her efforts.

I also want to thank Representative Luis Terrazas for sponsoring House Bill 203. This important legislation will improve our Emergency Medical Services and help GRMC to increase staffing and response for our community. Currently, NM Medicaid reimburses for mileage, but it is only billable after the first 15 miles of an EMS run. Representative Terrazas is advocating for Grant County EMS and other rural counties in New Mexico that are significantly impacted by the current policy and lack of reimbursement.

Additionally, I want to thank our Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales and Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley. Both are advocates for rural health care and have been at the forefront of the conversations and legislative items that will impact our medical center and community for the better.

It is not an easy job to be a state representative. In this 30-day session, there are over 750 bills, resolutions, and memorials that must be reviewed, sent through committees, revised and amended, approved by both the House and the Senate, and then signed by the Governor. It is a lot of work. And to make sure a legislator's district is fairly represented in every aspect, is an important responsibility. I am glad to have two wonderful legislators who are working hard to make sure Grant County's voice is heard in our state legislative process.

Sincerely,
Robert Whitaker, CEO
Gila Regional Medical Center