FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 21, 2016
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Attorney General writes letter to stakeholders urging action and offering support through solution identification and implementation process
Santa Fe, NM—Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas sent a letter to the CEO of Alta Vista Regional Hospital, Las Vegas Mayor Tonita Gurule-Giron, members of the Las Vegas City Council, and members of the San Miguel County Commission, regarding Alta Vista Regional Hospital’s recent closure of its obstetrics program. The resulting loss of critical services for women creates an unacceptable gap in care for mothers across northern New Mexico.
“Having grown up in a small community north of Las Vegas, I am well aware that this regional hospital is the patient destination for the majority of residents in the Northeastern portion of our state. Services for expecting mothers must be reinstated immediately in order to ensure an adequate continuity of care,” said Attorney General Balderas. He continued, “My office stands ready to assist in any way it can to ensure that women are receiving the services they need.”
The closure of Alta Vista’s obstetrics program means that women have to travel an hour or more to receive pre-natal care. The Attorney General maintains that this creates unacceptable barriers to service for women in need. In his letter, he expresses support for the efforts being undertaken to remedy the situation, and urges all parties to remain accountable throughout the process and work quickly to find workable solutions.
Please see attached for a copy of the letter.
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