Press release from the NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Secretary Alfredo Vigil, MD
April 6, 2010
Department of Health Announces Budget Cut Decisions
(Santa Fe) – Health Secretary Alfredo Vigil, MD, today announced that the Department of Health has had to make difficult decisions about the services it provides to deal with an almost $24.4 million reduction in next year’s budget.
“We consider all of our programs important for people in New Mexico, and we’ve regrettably had to make tough choices about our priorities since we don't have enough money to fully fund all of our programs," Dr. Vigil said. “We appreciate how difficult it was for the Legislature and Governor Richardson to approve a budget with significant losses in state revenue, and we know cuts are necessary to sustain state government.”
The Public Health Division, which is one of the biggest divisions in the Department with almost 1,000 people, is operating with a 15 percent vacancy rate. It received a 40 percent cut to its budget for contracts, and its total budget was reduced by about $17.4 million. As a result, the Division will have to reduce its general fund support to contracts for such programs as, rural primary health care clinics, dental care, family planning, immunizations, maternal child health, harm reduction, school and adolescent health as well as prevention of youth suicide and chronic and infectious diseases.
“We have to invest in disease treatment first and continue to support our prevention and planning programs as best as we can,” Dr. Vigil said. “It does not mean prevention is less important, but we must provide the treatment people immediately need to be healthy.”
In addition, the Division will eliminate almost $3 million for community health councils and $2.8 million for substance abuse prevention that was included in the Behavioral Health Collaborative’s contract with OptumHealth. The Division will provide data and information to Community Health Councils to help them leverage funds and develop best practices for their communities.
“We are trying to minimize the impact of our budget cuts as we realize that some of our cuts will affect New Mexicans in almost every community,” Dr. Vigil said. “We will continue to provide technical assistance to Community Health Councils and support the Collaborative’s work to improve behavioral health care.”
The Department is evaluating any changes it might have to make due to budget reductions in other divisions.
Division of Health Improvement will have to maintain a 26 percent vacancy rate among people who inspect long-term care facilities like nursing homes. The high vacancy rate will make it difficult to inspect all facilities.
The Scientific Lab is facing a tight budget, despite a 6 percent increase in funding to offset the increased utility costs when the Scientific Lab moves into a new building that is twice the size of its current space. The Division operates with a 14 percent vacancy rate, and has reduced testing by 30 percent for both the Office of Medical Investigator and the Environment Department, which involves testing of water and air.
Epidemiology and Response Division, which tracks and prevents infectious diseases, is operating with a 20 percent vacancy rate. Its budget has been reduced by $1 million in the last three years. The six facilities that provide long-term care and mental health and substance abuse treatment will operate with a budget reduction of $1.8 million from this year. The Facilities Division is the largest division with 2,113 employees.
