Project ECHO, the Affordable Care Act, Education Issues in New Mexico

•This week, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS looks at an innovative program that uses technology to deliver effective disease management and healthcare around the entire state. NMIF host Gene Grant sits down with Dr. Sanjeev Arora, director of Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico, to talk about how his eam delivers expertise to patients, no matter where they are. The model is being replicated around the world.

•The Line opinion panel discusses the results of a special election held in Albuquerque where voters rejected a proposed ban on late-term abortions. The contentious issue attracted hundreds of thousands of dollars from backers and opponents, and as well as national media coverage. It was the second of two recent voter-driven initiatives in the city of Albuquerque.

•The Line panel also reviews education issues in New Mexico and how they will play out in next year’s legislative session and gubernatorial race. Educators are upset about how an evaluation program is being rolled out and Gov. Susana Martinez plans to push her plans for retaining third graders who cannot read at grade level despite ongoing opposition from some lawmakers.

The group looks at the ongoing problems with the Affordable Care Act and how recent tweaks to the program requirements might alter the coverage landscape for New Mexicans.

GUEST:
•Dr. Sanjeev Arora, Director, Project ECHO

LINE PANELIST:
•Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Public Relations
•Rob Nikolewski, Editor, Capitol Report New Mexico

LINE GUEST PANELISTS:
•Dede Feldman, Former New Mexico Senator
Julie Ann Grimm, Editor, Santa Fe Reporter

HOST/COMMENTATOR: Gene Grant

The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Megan Kamerick. Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.

Episode 721 for air November 22, 2013