Rebuilding Behavioral Health Services In New Mexico
June 2, 2017 – In 2013, the Martinez Administration accused 15 nonprofits providing behavioral health services in New Mexico of fraud and froze their Medicaid payments. The Attorney General subsequently cleared the providers of fraud, but many had already gone out of business. Most of the providers were replaced by firms from Arizona. Out of those five, four have since left the state. And, according to a report by the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, about 44 percent of those needing mental health care in the United States are receiving treatment. But in New Mexico, that numbers is only 23 percent. Officials with the state Human Services Department, however, say the state is continuing to improve access to mental health services and a national organization moved New Mexico up significantly in its rankings for access and care. But advocates say there remain big gaps between availability of mental health services and those who need it. So how do we rebuild behavioral health in New Mexico and ensure all who need help are getting it?
Guests:
State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque
Fred Sandoval, operations manager, National Latino Behavioral Health Association
Maggie McCowen, executive director, New Mexico Behavioral Health Providers Association
Natalie Smith, executive director, Awake and Aware LLC
Additional Information:
Mental Health Shakeup – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Mexico Behavioral Health Needs Assessment 2017 – UNM Health Sciences Center
Disparities And Service Gaps – UNM Department of Psychiatry Community Behavioral Health Division
NM Behavioral Health Collaborative – 2015
Fourth Arizona Mental Health Provider Leaving The State – ABQ Journal
Valle del Sol Exit Means More Uncertainty For Behavioral Health – Santa Fe New Mexican
New Report Shows New Mexico Continues To Strengthen Mental Health System – HSD
State Rankings By Mental Health America
New Mexico Crisis and Access Line – 24/7 help for those in crisis