>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Gene: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, SOLVING OUR DOCTOR SHORTAGE.

WE HEAD TO THE ROUNDHOUSE TO TALK WITH TWO DOCTORS AND A LAWMAKER ABOUT THE REASONS BEHIND A GROWING SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

>> IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET NEW DOCTORS TO LAS VEGAS.

IT IS A VERY CRITICAL SITUATION.

>> Gene: AND SUBTRACTING ALGEBRA CLASSES.

WHY LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A CHANGE TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM YOUR HOST, GENE GRANT.

WE RETURN TO THE ROUNDHOUSE THIS WEEK WHERE LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE STATE AWAY FROM A HEALTHCARE SHORTFALL.

IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND SPEAKS WITH DOCTORS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT LAWMAKERS CAN DO TO KEEP MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS FROM LEAVING NEW MEXICO.

IN THE SECOND HALF OF TODAY'S SHOW OUR LAND'S LAURA PASKUS SITS DOWN WITH A COLORADO RIVER OFFICIAL TO ASK ABOUT PROBLEMS MEETING THE WATER NEEDS OF SEVEN STATES INCLUDING NEW MEXICO.

BUT FIRST, WE TURN OUR ATTENTION TO PUBLIC OUTCRY OVER A RECENT FIRING BY A MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET, AND THE CONTROVERSIAL NEW PICK TO LEAD NEW MEXICO'S INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

LET'S GET TO THE LINE.

TIME TO WELCOME OUR LINE OPINION PANELISTS FOR THE WEEK.

WE ARE HAPPY TO BE JOINED IN STUDIO BUT TOM GARRITY FOUNDER AND OF THE GARRITY GROUP PUBLIC RELATIONS.

AUTHOR AND POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGIST MARTHA BURK TO HIS LEFT AND ACROSS THE TABLE IS ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC SAFETY ANALYST ED PEREA.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO GO BACK TO MARTHA FOR A QUICK SECOND.

MARTHA IS AN AUTHOR AND POD CAST AUTHOR?

HOW DO YOU SAY THAT?

PRODUCER.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF YOUR POD CAST?

>> Martha: EQUAL TIME WITH MARTHA BURK.

>> Gene: LOOK FOR IT, ABSOLUTELY.

ALL RIGHT.

WE START THIS WEEK OFF WITH TWO OF NEW MEXICO'S CABINET SEATS CAUGHT IN LOCAL HEADLINES.

THE GOVERNOR'S PICK TO LEAD THE STATE'S INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WAS DECRIED LAST MONTH BY MEMBERS OF ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S TASKFORCES CLAIMING ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE 15 YEARS AGO SHOULD DISQUALIFY THE NOMINEE.

TWO MEMBERS OF THE STATES MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND RELATIVES TASKFORCE ALSO THREATENED TO LEAVE THE GROUP FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO NAME JAMES R. MOUNTAIN TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT.

NOW MR. MOUNTAIN, A FORMER GOVERNOR AND SUPREME COURT JUSTICE OF SAN ILDEFONSO TRIBE WAS ARRESTED IN 2007, INDICTED IN 2008 FOR CHARGES OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL PENETRATION, KIDNAPPING AND AGGRAVATED BATTERY AGAINST A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER.

THE CASE WAS DISMISSED, MARTHA, IN 2010 WITH THE PROSECUTION STATING THEY HAD INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROCEED.

HOW DOES A CANDIDATE WITH A HISTORY OF THESE ALLEGATIONS GET NOMINATED FOR A SECRETARY POSITION BY THE GOVERNOR?

IS THERE SOMETHING WE ARE NOT SEEING HERE?

I HAVE TO ASSUME THE GOVERNOR'S PEOPLE WERE FULLY AWARE OF THIS BACKGROUND.

WHAT ARE WE MISSING HERE?

>> Martha: HOW COULD THEY NOT BE AWARE OF THIS BACKGROUND, GENE.

IT IS INEXPLICABLE TO ME.

IT SMACKS CRONYISM, I AM SORRY, BUT IT DOES.

BECAUSE THERE WAS NO COMPELLING REASON TO APPOINT THIS MAN.

THERE WERE COMPELLING REASONS NOT TO.

AS YOU SAY, IT WAS LACK OF SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.

AS OUR ATTORNEY WHO IS SITTING RIGHT HERE WILL TELL YOU, THAT IS NOT EXONERATION.

AND SO WHY LIGHT THAT MATCH.

I JUST DON'T SEE IT.

THERE HAS TO BE A REASON THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OF.

AGAIN, AS A SPECIAL FAVOR?

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

WHETHER IT IS THE GOVERNOR HERSELF OR HER PEOPLE, AS WE SAY, SOMEBODY IS DOING SOMETHING THAT IS A LITTLE BIT BLINKY TO ME.

THEY COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS WHOLE THING.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN APPOINTED FOR THIS POSITION AND NOT DRAW ALL THIS FIRE.

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT THE LAST POINT.

THERE IS PLENTY OF GREAT CANDIDATES OUT THERE.

YOU MENTIONED ED PEREA.

GO TO YOU AS WELL.

THE IDEA MR. MOUNTAIN, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CRIMINAL SEXUAL PENETRATION, KIDNAPPING, AGGRAVATED BATTERY AGAINST A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER.

THESE ARE SERIOUS CHARGES, VERY SERIOUS CHARGES.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET CHARGED WITH THESE KINDS OF THINGS AND THEN OBVIOUSLY INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROCEED FOR THE CASE TO GO TO TRIAL?

>> Edmund: IT APPEARS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS ISSUE HERE.

THE FACT THAT THE CASE WAS DISMISSED, THERE A WHOLE LOT OF REASONS WHY A CASE IS DISMISSED, BUT FOR IT TO GET THAT FAR, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST SOME LEVEL OF PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE A CRIME OCCURRED.

UNDER OUR SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, WE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT POINT IS REALLY HARD -- WE DON'T KNOW.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE DETAILS BUT IN OUR SYSTEM WE ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND IF A CASE IS DISMISSED, NOT KNOWING ALL THE DETAILS, SHOULD THAT BE HELD AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL?

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPROPERLY CHARGED, UNFAIRLY CHARGED AND CASES ARE DISMISSED.

AND WE DON'T KNOW THAT HERE.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I THINK THE REAL ISSUE IS DOES THIS CREATE A DISTRACTION TO THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT?

IS IT ENOUGH OF A DISTRACTION THAT THE MISSION CAN'T BE CARRIED OUT, THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE TRUST ISSUES?

WE REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED.

WE NEED TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY AND LISTEN TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS DECISION AND THEN MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER THIS INDIVIDUAL CAN MOVE FORWARD EFFECTIVELY IN THAT ROLE.

>> Gene: GOOD POINTS.

IT IS ALMOST CRUEL, IS THE WORD THAT COMES TO MY MIND, TO HAVE A MAN LEADING A DEPARTMENT AND A TASKFORCE THAT SPECIFICALLY LOOKS INTO MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MASH THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER.

IF YOU'RE ON THAT TASKFORCE, HOW DO YOU LOOK AT YOUR BOSS WITH ANY KIND OF A CREDIBLE EYE AND SAY DO WE DO NOW BOSS, WHAT IS OUR MARCHING ORDERS?

THERE IS A PROBLEM FOR THE TASKFORCE IT SEEMS TO ME.

>> Tom: THERE IS AND I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY IF THERE IS A HEARING AND IF HE IS CONFIRMED, YOU KNOW, THEN, HE MAY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPOINT SOMEONE TO HEAD UP THAT PARTICULAR TASKFORCE.

SOMEONE WHO IS, YOU KNOW, PASSES THAT OPTICS, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM, AND IS A BIT MORE CONNECTED WITH THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE FROM THE VICTIM ADVOCATE SIDE.

>> Gene: THAT GETS TO MARTHA'S POINT.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE THAT ROLE, WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED THERE.

>> Tom: INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IS MUCH BROADEN THAN THE VERY IMPORTANT TASKFORCE.

NO DOUBT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE OPTICS OF IT, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WHO HAS BEEN DEFENDED.

THIS IS OUR CHOICE.

THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE WANT TO LEAD THE INDIAN AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT AND THEN YOU HAVE THE RULES COMMITTEE AND SENATOR KATIE DUHIGG WHO IS SAYING, YOU KNOW, WELL, HE IS NOT SCHEDULED YET.

AND THEN THURSDAY'S SANTA FE NEW MEXICAN, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYING, WELL, WE HAVE NOT YET SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION WHICH IS ACTUALLY ALL PART OF THE PROCESS.

BUT I WONDER WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AS FAR AS HAVING A HEARING FOR HIS NOMINATION.

THEY WOULD LIKELY HAVE TO MOVE IT TO THE SENATE CHAMBERS AND I THINK THAT THERE IS PROBABLY A FEELING MAYBE ON BOTH SIDES TO MAYBE A DESIGNEE OR DESIGNATE IS OKAY TITLE TO HAVE.

WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST PERSON WHO HAS HAD THAT TITLE CONNECTED WITH THEM FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS.

>> Gene: THAT IS AN INTERESTING POINT.

>> Martha: I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD DO THE TRICK.

PUTTING HIM THERE WITH ANY TITLE IS OFFENSIVE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT FROM READING THE NEWS ACCOUNTS THAT MANY OF THE WOMEN ON THAT TASKFORCE ARE PREPARED TO RESIGN FROM THE TASKFORCE IF HE IS IN FACT CHOSEN AND CONFIRMED.

AND THAT IS A SERIOUS THING TOO.

I WONDER WHY THIS WAS EVER EVEN CONSIDERED.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> Gene: KEEP YOU ON THAT THOUGHT ABOUT A SENATE HEARING, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A CHANCE HERE FOR A LOT OF SPECTACLE, A LOT OF EMOTION, A LOT OF EVERYTHING.

I GOT TO THINK THE SENATE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO WANT TO AVOID THAT.

I CAN'T IMAGINE -- THEY HAVE A LOT OF THINGS TO DO THE LAST WEEK OF THE SESSION.

THIS WOULD EAT UP A LOT OF OXYGEN.

>> Martha: THEY MAY RUN OUT THE CLOCK ON IT.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THAT IS THE END OF THIS PARTICULAR ROUND OF CHOOSING SOMEONE.

THEY HAVE TO START OVER IF THE SESSION ENDS WITHOUT ANY ACTION.

AND MAYBE THAT IS THE BEST OUTCOME ALTHOUGH I STILL THINK IT MAKES THE GOVERNOR LOOK VERY BAD.

>> Gene: QUICK QUESTION.

I GOT A SPIN ON SOME OTHER CABINET STUFF.

ON MARTHA'S POINT OF THE GOVERNOR, DOES SHE HAVE WIGGLE ROOM HERE TO CHANGE HER MIND?

>> Edmund: I THINK SHE DOES.

LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE.

LISTEN TO THE CONCERNS AND IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING IF THE GOVERNOR CHANGES HER MIND.

SHE HAS TO LOOK AT CONCERNS, LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, CAN THIS INDIVIDUAL BE EFFECTIVE IN THIS CURRENT ROLE IN LIGHT OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND I THINK THAT IS THE QUESTION THAT ULTIMATELY SHE IS GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER.

>> Gene: CURRENT CABINET SECRETARY IS FACING CRITICISM AFTER DEFYING THE LONG-TIME DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF ARCHEOLOGICAL STUDIES.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

MORE THAN 100 MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS AND PUBLIC CITIZENS CO-SIGNED A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR UPSET OVER THE ACTIONS OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS SECRETARY DEBRA GARCIA Y GRIEGO.

SHE TOO WAS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

MARTHA, DOES THAT LEVEL OF INFLUENCE AND LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CABINET SECRETARIES, WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF FEET GOING OUT THE DOOR HERE.

SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED.

>> Martha: ABSOLUTELY, SOMEBODY IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND YOU KNOW WHERE THE BUCK STOPS ALWAYS IS AT THE TOP.

I NOTICE IN BOTH THESE CASES, THE GOVERNOR HERSELF IS NOT COMMENTING.

SHE IS DELEGATING THE COMMENTS.

WHICH IS USUAL.

BUT SOMETHING THIS SERIOUS AND I WANT TO READ FOR OUR AUDIENCE WHAT THAT LETTER YOU JUST REFERRED TO SAYS.

IT SAID THAT GARCIA Y GRIEGO HAS AN INABILITY TO CONSTRUCTIVELY ADDRESS PROBLEMS, MANAGE AND ADDRESS SHORTCOMINGS BUT RATHER PUNITIVELY LOOKS FOR SCAPEGOATS.

THIS LATEST FIRING OF A VERY LONG-TIME EMPLOYEE WITH A STERLING RECORD AND VIRTUALLY MARCHED OUT OF THE BUILDING.

>> Gene: ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

ARCHEOLOGY.

WHAT CAN THIS POOR MAN HAVE DONE HE WAS MARCHED OUT OF THE BUILDING.

>> Martha: DOES HE HAVE BONES WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

>> Gene: SINCE THE SECRETARY WAS CHOSEN IN 2019, THREE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER HERE IN ALBUQUERQUE HAVE BEEN LET GO.

DIRECTOR VACANCIES AT ALL FIVE OTHER STATE RUN MUSEUMS.

THIS IS NOT GOOD.

THAT IS OUR CALLING CARD TO THE WORLD, LITERALLY.

OUR ART.

>> Tom: IT IS, AND THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT IS WORLD RENOWNED.

AND ON THE FLIP SIDE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE -- YOU KNOW -- PLEASE, I DON'T MEAN TO BE AS GLIB, BUT I WILL SAY THIS IS REALLY A CABINET SECRETARY WITH QUITE A BIT OF TENURE WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND SUCH.

I MEAN, WHAT WE DO IS WE HAVE A WAY TO KIND OF LOOK AT THINGS AND THEN BE THAT ARM CHAIR QUARTERBACK.

AND WITHOUT HAVING THE INSIGHT AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, ANY POSSIBLE DISCIPLINARY RECORDS OR ANY PERFORMANCE MEASURES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO, WITH ALL THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I'LL GO BACK TO THE OPTICS AND HOW DOES THIS CABINET SECRETARY REBUILD TRUST WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND THEN WITHIN THE LARGER INDUSTRY AND THAT CAN ONLY REALLY BE DONE WITH CONSISTENCY OF PRODUCT.

AND IT IS NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH THE ROTATION OF DIFFERENT DIRECTORS.

>> Gene: INTERESTINGLY, I MENTIONED NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER.

SINCE GARCIA Y GRIEGO WAS APPOINTED, 13 DIRECTORS HAVE EITHER BEEN LET GO OR LEFT THEIR POSITION AS WELL.

I MEAN, TURMOIL HERE.

NO SITUATION CAN RUN WITH THIS KIND OF TURMOIL.

>> Edmund: IT IS DISTRACTING AND CREATES A LOT OF MORALE ISSUES WITHIN THE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.

NOW THE QUESTIONS HERE TO ASK ARE, WHAT ARE -- WHAT IS THIS INDIVIDUAL'S KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS?

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHETHER SHE IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT?

IS TURNOVER ITSELF A KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR?

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER AGENCIES?

ARE THEY EXPERIENCING SIMILAR TURNOVER.

THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT HER ROLE AND WHAT SHE IS CALLED TO DO.

WAS SHE ASKED TO CLEAN HOUSE?

WERE THERE ISSUES SHE IS SPECIFICALLY FOCUSING ON THAT WE DON'T KNOW?

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION REALLY TO JUDGE HER OVERALL WORK PERFORMANCE.

CLEARLY THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT PROBABLY NEED TO BE ANSWERED IN THE INTEREST OF THIS AGENCY THAT SHE SERVES.

>> Gene: THAT IS RIGHT.

>> Martha: THE 120 FOLKS THAT SIGNED THE LETTER OF CONCERN IS A POINT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY AND THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

AND HER SPOKESPERSON HAS SAID THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO PERFORM THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ONE HAS TO WONDER, IS THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT TO GUT THE LEADERSHIP?

>> Gene: WE HAVE FIVE STATE RUN MUSEUMS WITHOUT DIRECTORS RIGHT NOW.

IT IS WORTH THREE MILLION ANNUALLY TO THE STATE.

CAN'T BE HAVING HAD.

THANKS TO OUR PANEL FOR THAT.

WE'LL BE BACK HERE IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES TO TALK THROUGH A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN OUR STATE'S STRUGGLE TO PULL LITERACY RATES UP FROM 50TH IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE, FOR, REALLY DECADES, WE HAVE BEEN NATURALLY SHORTED BY HYDROLOGY.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF BIG STORAGE RESERVOIRS ABOVE US THAT WE CAN RELY ON, LIKE THE LOWER BASIN DOES.

SO, IF THERE IS -- IF YOU HAPPEN TO LIVE WITHIN A TRIBUTARY THAT GETS A LOT OF SNOW, YOU MIGHT GET A FULL SUPPLY THAT YEAR.

IF THAT TRIBUTARY OR THAT BASIN DOESN'T GENERATE A LOT OF KNOW THAT YEAR, OFTENTIMES WE ARE SHORT.

>> Gene: GOING INTO THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE KNEW HEALTHCARE WOULD BE A MAJOR FOCUS FOR OUR LAWMAKERS.

NOW, WE HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT HOUSE BILL 7, WHICH WOULD CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS IN NEW MEXICO AND GUARANTEE ACCESS TO GENDER AFFIRMING CARE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL LAST WEEK AND IT NOW MOVES ON TO THE SENATE.

THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER MEASURES TARGETING SOME OF THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO NEW MEXICO'S GROWING SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT GWYNETH DOLAND WENT TO THE ROUNDHOUSE THIS WEEK AND SPOKE TO TWO DOCTORS AND A LAWMAKER ABOUT HOW OUR STATE'S MALPRACTICE POLICIES ARE INFLUENCING THE PROBLEM.

>> Gwyneth: DR. ANGIE BRAXTON AND DR. NANCY WRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TALKING TO US TODAY.

LET ME COME TO YOU FIRST AND SAY, YOU ARE FROM LOS ALAMOS, WHICH HAS LIKE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO MAKE A TON OF MONEY.

YOU WOULD THINK IN A SMALL COMMUNITY, A SMALL SERVICE AREA LIKE THIS, YOU SHOULD HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES YOU NEED TO DELIVER HEALTHCARE AND YET YOU HAVE A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

WHY?

>> Braxton: YOU KNOW OUR BIG PROBLEM IS ACCESS FOR OUR PATIENTS AND OUR WORKFORCE SHORTAGE MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PATIENTS.

PEOPLE CAN'T GET IN TO SEE ME FOR SIX MONTHS.

WHEN I DO SEE A PATIENT THEY OFTEN DON'T HAVE A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR AND THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

I ALSO SEE PATIENTS THAT NEED NEUROLOGISTS AND RHEUMATOLOGISTS AND I CAN'T FIND ANYBODY TO SEE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> Gwyneth: WE HAVE LOW MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES HERE BUT A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MEDICAID PATIENTS IN GENERAL IN NEW MEXICO.

GRT, IS THAT ANOTHER PROBLEM?

>> Braxton: WE HAVE SEVERAL FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN TAKING CARE OF OUR PATIENTS THAT MAKE IT HARDER TO DO IN NEW MEXICO BECAUSE OF OUR PUBLIC POLICIES.

ONE OF THOSE PROBLEMS IS THAT WE DO HAVE A REALLY HIGH MEDICAID PATIENT POPULATION WITH LOW REIMBURSEMENT.

ANOTHER IS THAT WE ARE ONE OF TWO STATES THAT REQUIRE DOCTORS TO PAY GROSS RECEIPTS TAX ON CO-PAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES.

WE CANNOT PASS THAT ON TO PATIENTS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT YOUR CO-PAY, I HAVE TO PAY SOME OF THAT IN FOR TAXES.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST MALPRACTICE RATES IN ALL THE SURROUNDING STATES FOR BUYING OUR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE.

AND WE ALSO ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH RECRUITING PEOPLE AND THAT MAKES -- THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE MAKES US HAVE HARDER, LONGER DAYS TRYING TO GET ALL THE PATIENTS IN.

IT SEEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SIX MONTH WAITS BUT THE FEWER PATIENTS I SEE TO TRY TO GIVE MORE CARE TO EACH PATIENT, THAT IS A LONGER WAIT ON THE OTHER END.

WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT MORE DOCTORS BUT PART OF OUR PROBLEM IS THAT WE DON'T REPAY STUDENT LOANS AT THE SAME RATE AS SURROUNDING STATES.

MOST MEDICAL STUDENTS COME OUT OF MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH A 240,000 DOLLAR DEBT AND OUR LOAN REPAYMENT IS ONLY $50,000 AFTER WORKING FOR TWO YEARS HERE.

>> Gwyneth: DR. WRIGHT, YOU ARE IN LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO.

IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT COMMUNITY, A HUGE SERVICE AREA.

THERE IS LESS AFFLUENCE.

YOU'RE A PEDIATRICIAN AND YOU WORK AS A TEAM WITH OBGYN'S AND LABOR AND DELIVERY.

WE ARE SEEING A NATIONAL TREND OF LABOR AND DELIVERY UNITS CLOSING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT YOU HAVE HAD IN LAS VEGAS TOO.

HOW WOULD CHANGING MALPRACTICE RATE, INSURANCE RATES, IMPROVE THAT?

HOW COULD THAT IMPROVE THAT SITUATION?

>> Wright: IN A PLACE LIKE LAS VEGAS, IT IS A SMALL COMMUNITY.

WE TEND TO BE MORE POOR.

THERE IS A LOT MORE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE COVERED UNDER MEDICAID AND ALTHOUGH PEDIATRICIANS AND OB'S WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO A PLACE LIKE LAS VEGAS, BECAUSE IT IS A REALLY NICE PLACE AND I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 21 YEARS, AND I LOVE IT THERE, IT IS VERY HARD TO BE AN OBSTETRICIAN IN A SMALL COMMUNITY BECAUSE IF YOU'RE ONLY ONE OF ONE OR TWO OBSTETRICIANS, YOU HAVE TO BE AVAILABLE AT ALL TIMES TO TEND TO SOMEONE WHO IS IN LABOR.

SO YOU CAN'T BE VERY FAR FROM THE HOSPITAL EVER.

IT IS HARD TO ASK A DOCTOR TO DO THAT.

PLUS IF A PATIENT HAS COMPLICATIONS, IF THEY DELIVER A BABY WHO IS VERY SICK, THEN THE OBSTETRICIAN AND THE PEDIATRICIAN ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE SUED FOR THAT.

IT IS VERY HARD AS A DOCTOR TO BE SUED.

IT IS VERY HARD TO STAY IN A PLACE WHERE YOU FEEL LIKE THERE IS A BIG TARGET ON YOU.

AND SO ANY BABY THAT BECOMES SICK ON MY SERVICE, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS MY FAULT, I AM GOING TO BE SUED FOR IT AND THAT IS A HARD THING FOR DOCTORS TO WORK WITH.

>> Gwyneth: YOU HAVE SMALLER FACILITIES IN LAS VEGAS, LESS SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL THERE FOR THOSE KIND OF EMERGENCIES.

>> Wright: FOR SOMETHING LIKE A NEWBORN, A SICK NEWBORN NEEDS VERY SPECIALIZED CARE SO NEONATOLOGISTS ARE PEDIATRICIANS WHO HAVE HAD EXTRA TRAINING IN DEALING WITH CRITICAL NEWBORNS.

AND SO THAT IS ALL THEY DO.

THEY DON'T HAVE OFFICES THAT THEY SEE PATIENTS IN THE WAY THAT I DO.

AND THEY ARE ALSO NEONATAL TRAINED RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS AND THERE IS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT THAT YOU NEED FOR CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS.

AND IN NEW MEXICO YOU ONLY HAVE THOSE SERVICES IN ALBUQUERQUE.

SO, AT ANY HOSPITAL OUTSIDE OF ALBUQUERQUE, YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE THOSE HIGHLY SPECIALIZED SERVICES AND SO IF A SICK BABY IS DELIVERED AT ALTA VISTA AND RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE AN OBSTETRICIAN, BUT A BABY CAN STILL BE DELIVERED THERE WITHOUT AN OB.

SO THEY ARE DELIVERED IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND THEN THE PEDIATRICIAN LIKE ME HAS TO COME IN AND TAKE CARE OF THIS SICK BABY UNTIL IT CAN BE TRANSPORTED OUT TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AND THIS COULD BE HOURS.

I HAVE SPENT 12 HOURS AT THE BEDSIDE OF A VERY SICK BABY WAITING FOR THE TRANSPORT TEAM TO COME.

AND IF THAT BABY DOES NOT DO WELL, THEN I AM THE ONE WHO IS SUED, EVEN THOUGH I AM THE ONE WHO IS REALLY WORKING VERY HARD TO KEEP THIS BABY ALIVE.

IT IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET NEW DOCTORS TO LAS VEGAS, SO WE DON'T HAVE OBSTETRIC SERVICES AT ALL.

NO BABIES ARE DELIVERED IN AN OFFICIAL LABOR AND DELIVERY UNIT.

AND THAT DEPRIVES OUR COMMUNITY OF A PLACE TO SAFELY DELIVER A BABY.

IT IS A VERY CRITICAL SITUATION.

>> Braxton: I BELIEVE THAT OBSTETRICIANS OFTEN PAY AT LEAST $100,000 A YEAR FOR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE AND THAT MEANS THEY HAVE TO WORK THE FIRST PART OF THE YEAR JUST TO PAY FOR MALPRACTICE.

THAT DOESN'T PAY FOR THE STAFF.

THAT DOESN'T PAY FOR THE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY NEED.

IT IS A MONEY LOSING PROPOSITION TO DELIVER BABIES.

>> Gwyneth: REPRESENTATIVE THOMSON, YOU'RE A PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND OFTEN UP HERE WORKING ON HEALTHCARE RELATED ISSUES.

ONE OF THEM IS A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD BAN FLAVORED TOBACCO AND REALLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS FRUIT FLAVORED JUULS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND VAPES.

THIS IS ONE THING WE KNOW TEENAGERS ARE STILL DOING.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> Thomson: I AM AFRAID IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT THIS YEAR.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE A STUDY THAT SAYS THAT 34% OF HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE NORMAL VAPERS AND WE KNOW THAT -- I MEAN, I CAN'T IMAGINE A TWO PACK A DAY SMOKER OF 60 YEARS IS GOING TO GO GET TUTTI FRUITY.

SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS PREVENT KIDS FROM EVER STARTING BECAUSE NICOTINE IS AN ADDICTION AND DR. ZIEDONIS, AT UNM, IS AN ADDICTIONOLOGIST AND HE PRESENTED TO COMMITTEE OVER THIS SUMMER AND SAID THAT TOBACCO, NICOTINE IS INDEED THE GATEWAY DRUG TO ALL OTHER DRUGS.

>> Gwyneth: YOU ARE ALSO WORKING ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE CAN IDENTIFY WITH.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

>> Thomson: I AM TRYING TO PROTECT PATIENTS.

I HAVE A BILL TO GET DIABETIC SUPPLIES.

I HAVE A BILL TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO USE THEIR LOCAL PHARMACY AS OPPOSED TO A MAIL ORDER PHARMACY IF THE LOCAL PHARMACY CAN MEET THE PRICE OF THE MAIL ORDER.

AND PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT IS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, IF THEY HAVE A PHARMACY, THAT MAY BE THE ONLY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER THEY HAVE.

WE HAD A MEMBER HERE WHO WAS GETTING SICKER AND SICKER.

HE WAS QUITE OLD AND HE WENT IN TO HIS PHARMACIST AND THE PHARMACIST LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID, WHOA, WE NEED TO CHANGE SOMETHING, AND THEN HE GOT BETTER.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

>> Gwyneth: WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TODAY ABOUT THE PROVIDER SHORTAGE IN NEW MEXICO.

WE JUST TALKED TO SOME DOCTORS ABOUT MALPRACTICE RATES.

HOW DO WE NEED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS MALPRACTICE INSURANCE RATES HERE?

>> Thomson: IF I HAD THAT ANSWER, I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY.

I DON'T.

BUT ESSENTIALLY FOR ME IT IS ABOUT THE PATIENTS, YOU KNOW.

AT 750,000 CAP ON AN INJURY OR A DEATH, IT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.

MY OWN BROTHER, SIX GIRLS, ONE BOY, THE ONLY BROTHER, HAD A HEART ATTACK.

AND WHEN HE COLLAPSED, HE HIT HIS HEAD ON A SINK AND THEN ON THE FLOOR OF THE BATHROOM.

AND THEY ONLY TREATED HIS HEART.

AND ALL NIGHT LONG I WATCHED HIM ESSENTIALLY DYING AND KEPT ASKING THE NURSE, WHAT ABOUT HIS HEAD?

WHAT ABOUT HIS HEAD?

BECAUSE HE HAD A BASEBALL SIZE KNOT ON HIS HEAD.

THEY KEPT TELLING ME, WE ARE WATCHING IT, WE ARE WATCHING IT.

AND TO THIS DAY I FEEL GUILTY THAT I WASN'T ROWDIER AND DEMANDING.

IT WAS JUST A SAD DAY SO I KNOW HOW IT IS TO LOSE SOMEONE YOU LOVE OR HAVE SOMEONE YOU LOVE BADLY INJURED.

AND THE COST OF THEIR CARE THROUGH THE REST OF THEIR LIFETIME CAN BE IN THE MILLIONS SO I AM ALL ABOUT PATIENTS.

I HOPE SOMEONE COMES UP WITH A PLAN FOR IT, BUT PATIENTS NEED TO COME FIRST AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.

>> Gene: THANK YOU, GWYNETH, FOR YOUR CONTINUED COVERAGE FROM THE LEGISLATURE EACH WEEK.

IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THOSE STORIES ONLINE RIGHT NOW ON THE NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS YOUTUBE PAGE.

TIME TO WELCOME BACK OUR PANELISTS.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BACK-HANDED PHRASE OF APPRECIATION BUT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE REPEATED IN THE STATE FOR YEARS, QUOTE, THANK GOD FOR MISSISSIPPI, END QUOTE.

WHAT DO I MEAN BY THAT?

FOR A LONG TIME THE MAGNOLIA STATE HAS SAVED NEW MEXICO FROM RANKING LAST IN READING AND MATHEMATICS BUT IN RECENT YEARS, MISSISSIPPI PULLED AWAY FROM THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT IMPROVING TEST SCORES OF ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ACCORDING TO A DEEP DIVE BY THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL LAST MONTH THAT COMPARED THE TWO STATES.

NOW MISSISSIPPI RANKS 37TH IN FOURTH GRADE MATH AND 34TH IN FOURTH GRADE READING PROFICIENCY.

THE FORMER MISSISSIPPI STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION TOLD THE JOURNAL THAT THE SUCCESS IN MISSISSIPPI HAPPENED AFTER THE STATE INSTITUTED TRAINING FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHERS TO LEARN, QUOTE, THE SCIENCE OF READING, END QUOTE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A QUICK SECOND.

LAWMAKERS HERE TOOK NOTICE.

IN 2019 LAWMAKERS PASSED LEGISLATION THAT MANDATED ALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLTEACHERS LEARN STRUCTURED LITERACY.

THE PROGRAM, LANGUAGE ESSENTIALS FOR TEACHERS OF READING AND SPELLING OR LETRS, IN ACRONYM, CURRENTLY HAS 6,000 EDUCATORS ENROLLED WITH 800 TEACHERS ALREADY COMPLETING THE COURSE.

NOW, THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY A FEW YEARS ALONG.

EDUCATION LEADERS SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IF LETRS PROGRAMS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

ARE YOU HOPEFUL, EVEN GIVEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN MISSISSIPPI?

WE CAN'T LAUGH AT THEM ANYMORE, CERTAINLY.

THEY HAVE HAD SOME GOOD PROGRESS HERE.

WE SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

>> Tom: ABSOLUTELY.

I AM A BIG BELIEVER IN BEST PRACTICES.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM MISSISSIPPI?

HOW DID THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN MISSISSIPPI COMPLIMENT THE CULTURE OF MISSISSIPPI.

I THINK THAT TAKING SOME BEST PRACTICES, AS FAR AS RIGOR AS WELL, AND APPLYING THEM IN NEW MEXICO WHERE APPROPRIATE.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING WORKS WELL IN TEXAS DOESN'T MEAN IT IS GOING TO WORK WELL HERE.

AND VICE VERSA.

SO, IT IS ALL ABOUT CULTURAL RELEVANCY AND I THINK IT IS ALSO ABOUT REALLY SETTING THAT MARK WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, REALLY HIGH, AND THEN CREATING A WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT.

>> Gene: EXACTLY.

COMPARING OUR STATE TO MISSISSIPPI CAN BE PROBLEMATIC IN A FEW WAYS, ESPECIALLY CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, QUITE SERIOUSLY.

WE HAVE EFFORTS HERE TO PRESERVE INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES FOR CHILDREN IN OUR STATE, MUCH DIFFERENT DEAL HERE.

HOW SHOULD WE LOOK AT THIS MISSISSIPPI THING?

SHOULD WE FEEL BADLY ABOUT OURSELVES OR JUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT CHALLENGES HERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CHALLENGES HERE THAT OTHER STATES DON'T HAVE.

>> Edmund: WE CAN'T DISCARD WHAT MISSISSIPPI IS DOING.

OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

BUT, WHAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN, I AM SURE EDUCATORS HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS, WHAT ARE THE OTHER 48 STATES DOING?

WHAT IS NO.

1 DOING THAT MADE THEM NO.

1?

WE ARE FOCUSING WAY TOO MUCH ON THE TAIL END AND MAYBE WE NEED TO PUT A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION ON THE FRONT END.

OBVIOUSLY WE DEAL WITH VERY SPECIFIC ISSUES HERE THAT ARE UNIQUE TO NEW MEXICO.

AND I THINK THAT ALWAYS HAS TO BE FACTORED IN BUT WE CAN'T USE IT AS AN EXCUSE.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT THIS IS A GOOD BEGINNING THAT WE LOOK AT A SUCCESS STORY WITH A GROUP THAT IS OFTEN RANKED BEHIND US BUT I DON'T THINK THAT IS ENOUGH.

I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO STAY FOCUSED AND LOOK AT THE UNIQUENESS OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND MAKE THE CHANGES THAT NEED TO BE MADE IN ORDER TO MOVE UP THE WAY MISSISSIPPI HAS.

>> Gene: AS A POINT OF INTEREST, OF COURSE, NEARLY 18% OF NEW MEXICO STUDENTS SPEAK ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND, IN FACT, THE JOURNAL QUOTED ANJA RUDIGER, A MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE, WHO QUESTIONED WHY WE ARE COMPARING OURSELVES TO MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIRST PLACE.

GREAT QUOTE HERE.

QUOTE, THERE IS REALLY NOT AT ALL MUCH IN COMMON.

POVERTY RATES OBVIOUSLY, BUT AS IT REGARDS SPECIFIC ASSETS THE CHILDREN BRING TO LEARNING AND ALL THE CULTURE RICHNESS, I DON'T THAT THESE COMPARISONS BUY US THAT MUCH.

WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> Martha: I SUPPOSE SO.

I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THE COMPARISON IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN WHERE WE ARE IN THE HIERARCHY TO BEGIN WITH.

AND WHAT I GOT OUT OF THIS NEW INITIATIVE, I THINK, IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT IS NOT ABOUT TEACHING READING.

IT IS ABOUT TEACHING THE TEACHERS HOW TO TEACH READING.

AND WE HAVE CHRONIC TEACHER SHORTAGES IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE.

PEOPLE ARE THROWN INTO A CLASSROOM, HERE IS YOUR CLASSROOM, TEACH THEM TO READ.

IF THEY DID THAT FOR YOU, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TO GO ABOUT THAT?

NEITHER WOULD I.

PROBABLY NO ONE AT THIS TABLE WOULD.

SO, I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD STEP.

I DO THINK, AND I THINK THE JOURNAL POINTED THIS OUT, IT IS GOING TO TAKE MAYBE TWO TO FOUR YEARS TO SEE SOME REALLY CONCRETE RESULTS FROM THIS, BUT I THINK IT IS A POSITIVE MOVE AND, AS I WOULD SAY, FORGET MISSISSIPPI, CONCENTRATE ON WHERE NEW MEXICO IS AND BRINGING OURSELVES UP REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE ARE UNLESS WE ARE NO.

1, WHICH WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM RIGHT NOW.

>> Gene: THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

CURIOUS HOW DO WE MEASURE SUCCESS HERE?

MARTHA MAKES A GOOD POINT.

IN THE JOURNAL PIECE SHE MENTIONED, MISSISSIPPI ROLLED OUT THEIR INITIATIVE IN 2014 AND IN 2019 ACTUALLY SAW ACADEMIC GAINS.

THAT IS NOT THAT MUCH TIME.

SO, HOW DO WE JUDGE SUCCESS HERE?

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A TOUGH ONE.

>> Tom: I'LL SAY THAT INSTEAD OF MAYBE, YOU KNOW, HAVING A MOON SHOT, WHY NOT JUST GET TO OUTER SPACE.

READJUSTING WHAT THAT IS.

IT IS STILL A SUCCESS.

AND I THINK WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THAT ALREADY WITH RESPECT TO RESTRUCTURING THE NUMBER OF CREDITS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION.

YOU KNOW, NEW MEXICO IS ONE OF 12 STATES THAT REQUIRE 24 CREDITS AND THERE IS A BILL RIGHT NOW MOVING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THAT SUGGESTS REDUCING THAT TO 22 CREDITS.

MAKING THINGS LIKE ALGEBRA 2 OPTIONAL AND INCREASING THINGS LIKE PERSONAL LITERACY.

I THINK THAT IS BRILLIANT.

I THOUGHT ALGEBRA 2 SHOULD HAVE DONE AWAY WITH 30 YEARS AGO.

FINANCIAL LITERACY, WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE RECYCLING POVERTY, GENERATIONAL POVERTY, AND EVEN THOSE WHO AREN'T, WHO JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN END UP WITH ALL THIS DEBT.

IT IS LIKE THAT IS THE THING THAT CRIPPLES OUR SOCIETY.

LOOK AT HOW THE NATIONAL STUDENT DEBT DISCUSSION HAS REALLY TAKEN IT, WELL, IT IS ALL ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY.

PEOPLE GO INTO DEBT BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND OR THEY FEEL FORCED AND JUST HAVING THAT AS PART OF THE CURRICULUM I THINK IS HUGE.

>> Gene: APPRECIATE THAT.

MARTHA, I AM ON THE HIGH SCHOOL THING, IT IS INTERESTING, THIS IDEA OF ALGEBRA 2.

ONE SIDE OF THE POPULATION, IT HAS TO GO.

AND THE OTHER SIDE SAYS WE SHOULD KEEP ALGEBRA 2 BECAUSE IF WE WANT TO BE IN STEP WITH OTHER STATES, THEY ARE NOT DROPPING ALGEBRA 2, WHY SHOULD WE?

ARE WE DUMBING DOWN THINGS HERE?

>> Martha: WE HAVE ALREADY DUMBED DOWN.

ONLY 16% OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS ARE PROFICIENT IN MATH.

THAT SAYS TO ME, FORGET ALGEBRA 2.

LET'S DO ADD, SUBTRACT MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE.

ALGEBRA 2 THIS GOT ME THINKING, I TOOK IT, I GUESS, IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I HAVE A PHD NOW.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT ALGEBRA 2 IS.

BUT I CAN ADD, SUBTRACT MULTIPLY AND DIVIDE.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE NEED TO GO BACK AND REEVALUATE.

THE SCHOOLS ARE STILL GOING TO BE ALLOWED AND MAYBE EVEN ENCOURAGED TO OFFER IT.

IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE JUST STRIKING IT ALTOGETHER BUT LET'S PRIORITIZE.

WHERE ARE OUR KIDS AND WHERE DO THEY NEED TO GO FIRST?

>> Gene: INTERESTING POINT ON THIS, THE IDEA OF ELECTIVE UNITS VERSUS FORCING KIDS TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.

THAT COULD INCLUDE TRADES, COULD INCLUDE IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC IDEA OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN LIFE.

NOT A BAD IDEA WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

I AM CURIOUS WHERE YOU ARE ON THE ALGEBRA 2 VERSUS NOT AND PICKING ELECTIVE UNITS AS ALTERNATIVES.

>> Edmund: AS THE SAYING GOES, YOU DO WHAT YOU DID, YOU GET WHAT YOU GOT.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO DISRUPT THE SYSTEM.

WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING HASN'T BEEN EFFECTIVE AS WE WOULD LIKE IT, SO LET'S CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE ROMERO HAS DONE AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB.

HE IS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER HIMSELF.

SO, HE KNOWS THE GROUND LEVEL WHAT THESE STUDENTS NEED AND HE TALKS A LOT ABOUT KEEPING THESE STUDENTS ENGAGED AND NOT EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO COLLEGE.

MANY OF THEM SEEK THE TRADE ROUTE AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THOSE OPTIONS.

SO YOU START FOCUSING THOSE STUDENTS WHO DON'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE, GIVE THEM OTHER OPTIONS AND THEY START THINKING ABOUT AND ENGAGING MORE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE.

IF THEY CAN RELATE TO WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT IN HIGH SCHOOL, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO ATTEND THE HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES AND GRADUATE.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

ALGEBRA 2 IS IMPORTANT IF THAT IS THE PATH THAT YOU ARE TAKING BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT EVERY STUDENT OUT THERE NEEDS ALGEBRA 2.

SO I THINK ALGEBRA 2 IS BEING OFFERED.

THAT IS ONE OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL.

THAT WILL BE AN OPTION.

AND FOR THOSE SCHOOLS AND STUDENT BODIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE AND POSSIBLY EVEN MANDATE ALGEBRA 2 FOR THEIR STUDENT BODY, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE BILL IS THAT IT DOES PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT OPTIONS.

>> Gene: THE OPTION BIT IS KEY.

WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT STEM FOR YEARS INCLUDING THIS GOVERNOR BUT WE ARE NOT REALLY HEARING STEM IN THIS ARGUMENT HERE.

HAVE WE WALKED AWAY FROM STEM AS THE PATH FORWARD?

>> Tom: I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING SUGGESTED IN SANTA FE TO SAY WHERE STEM IS.

BUT, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO SEE, TO KIND OF GO BACK TO WHAT MR. PEREA WAS SAYING, THE ABILITY TO OFFER A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AS A PATHWAY THROUGH, YOU KNOW.

I THINK RIGHT NOW THE CURRICULUM IS REALLY FOCUSED ON, OKAY, YOU'RE GOING TO COLLEGE AS THE NEXT STEP.

AS OPPOSED TO, YOU KNOW WHAT, LIFE STARTS AS A NEXT STEP, HOW IS THAT?

SO THAT IS WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR LEGISLATION.

IT OFFERS THAT NEXT STEP THROUGH FINANCIAL LITERACY ASPECT AND HOPEFULLY THERE ARE ITEMS IN THERE, IF NOT ALREADY, FOCUSING ON OFFERING MORE OF A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION OPTION.

>> Gene: ON YOUR POINT TO TIE IT DOWN, THOSE ELECTIVES CAN INCLUDE WHAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY BUT ALSO FINE ARTS, MILITARY CAREER PREPARATION, THAT IS INTERESTING.

>> Martha: THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

>> Gene: THAT MEETS US WHERE WE ARE AND FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS, NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES AND COMPUTER SCIENCE.

THOSE ARE THE OTHER ELECTIVES.

THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME.

>> MARTHA: I WANT TO THROW IN ONE COMMENT ABOUT THE STEM.

BECAUSE, NATIONALLY THERE ARE TWICE AS MANY MEN IN COLLEGE IN THE STEM AREA THAN THE WOMEN.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE IT, WHICH WE SHOULD, FOR THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE ON THAT PATH, AS TOM SAYS, WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHO WE ARE ENCOURAGING AND ARE WE ENCOURAGING OUR GIRLS TO THE SAME EXTENT WE ARE OUR BOYS.

AND IT IS ALWAYS A CONCERN BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY CULTURAL TABOOS AGAINST, YOU KNOW, GIRLS DON'T DO MATH OR SCIENCE.

SO FORTH.

JUST WANTED TO MAKE US AWARE OF THAT.

AND IN TERMS OF THESE, WHAT DO THEY CALL, PROFILES FOR GRADUATION.

TOM'S POINT IS VERY GOOD.

NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO COLLEGE.

SO THEY NEED TO HAVE TWO TRACKS ON THAT AT LEAST.

>> Gene: SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE GETTING THERE.

THANKS AGAIN TO ALL.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE AT THE TABLE FOR A FINAL DISCUSSION ON A BILL THAT WOULD EXPAND MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY ACROSS THE STATE IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

BUT, FIRST, A DIRE SITUATION DEVELOPING ON THE COLORADO RIVER.

SEVEN WESTERN STATES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MEXICO ARE ALL GRAPPLING WITH CONTINUED LOWER FLOWS AND VERY LOW RESERVOIRS, AS YOU KNOW.

ON THE COLORADO RIVER LOWER BASIN STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, THEY ARE PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT HAVING TO MAKE CUTS, BUT WHAT ABOUT NEW MEXICO?

AS AN UPPER BASIN STATE OUR SITUATION IS VERY DIFFERENT.

OUR LAND SENIOR PRODUCER LAURA PASKUS CHECKED IN WITH THE STATE'S UPPER COLORADO RIVER COMPACT COMMISSIONER, ESTEVAN LOPEZ, ABOUT NEW MEXICO'S SHARE OF COLORADO RIVER WATER IN A WARMING WORLD.

>> Laura: COMMISSIONER LOPEZ, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER TODAY.

>> Lopez: THANK YOU.

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

SO I WANT TO START JUST WITH THE BASICS.

PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER AND MAYBE DON'T THINK ABOUT NEW MEXICO NECESSARILY.

WHERE DOES NEW MEXICO FIT INTO THE LARGER RIVER BASIN AND ALLOCATIONS?

>> Lopez: WELL, THE COLORADO RIVER SPANS PROBABLY SEVEN STATES IN THE U.S. AND THEN GOES INTO MEXICO AND IN NEW MEXICO THE SAN JUAN RIVER IS THE RIVER THAT MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH, THAT IS A MAJOR TRIBUTARY OF THE COLORADO RIVER.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE GET SOME OF THE COLORADO RIVER WATER APPORTIONED TO US AS A RESULT.

WE ALSO HAVE SMALLER, MUCH SMALLER AMOUNTS FURTHER SOUTH IN THE SILVER CITY AREA, WITH THE GILA RIVER AND THE SAN FRANCISCO RIVER, BUT THOSE ARE MUCH SMALLER BY COMPARISON.

IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WE GET, FIRST, THE COLORADO RIVER WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE UPPER BASIN AND THE LOWER BASIN.

THE UPPER BASIN BEING COMPRISED OF ALL OF THE AREA THAT FLOWS INTO THAT WATERSHED ABOVE LEES FERRY, ARIZONA WHICH IS RIGHT BELOW GLENN CANYON DAM NEAR PAGE, ARIZONA.

AND THAT IS THE UPPER BASIN.

FOR OUR PURPOSES, WE GENERALLY THINK OF THAT AS THE STATES OF NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, WYOMING AND UTAH.

THE LOWER BASIN IS THE PORTION THAT FLOWS IN BELOW THAT AND THAT IS COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF FLOWS IN ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA.

AND THEN, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, MEXICO HAS SOME RIGHTS TO IT AS WELL.

>> Laura: I THINK IT IS ACCURATE TO SAY THAT THERE IS A CRISIS ON THE COLORADO, PARTICULARLY ON THE LOWER COLORADO.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE UPPER BASIN'S SITUATION RIGHT NOW?

>> Lopez: THE UPPER BASIN SITUATION IS, YOU KNOW, WE, FOR REALLY DECADES, WE HAVE BEEN NATURALLY SHORTED BY HYDROLOGY.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF BIG STORAGE RESERVOIRS ABOVE US THAT WE CAN RELY ON LIKE THE LOWER BASIN DOES.

SO, IF THERE IS A -- IF YOU HAPPEN TO LIVE WITHIN A TRIBUTARY THAT GETS A LOT OF SNOW YOU MIGHT GET A FULL SUPPLY THAT YEAR.

IF THAT TRIBUTARY OR THAT BASIN DOESN'T GENERATE A LOT OF SNOW THAT YEAR, OFTENTIMES WE ARE SHORT.

SO, WHILE THE UPPER BASIN WAS APPORTIONED, THAT AREA ABOVE LEES FERRY, WAS APPORTIONED SEVEN-AND-A-HALF MILLION ACRE FEET UNDER THE 1922 COLORADO RIVER COMPACT, WE HAVE NEVER USED THAT MUCH.

IN PART BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T FULLY DEVELOPED BUT OFTENTIMES BECAUSE WE ARE JUST SHORTED BY WHAT MOTHER NATURE GIVES US.

RECENTLY, WE HAVE BEEN USING SOMETHING LIKE FOUR TO FOUR-AND-A-HALF MILLION ACRE FEET RATHER THAN THAT SEVEN-AND-A-HALF MILLION APPORTIONED TO US, COLLECTIVELY ON THE UPPER BASIN.

>> Laura: THE CITIES LIKE ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE DIVERSIFIED AWAY FROM SORT OF SOUL RELIANCE ON THE RIO GRANDE AND GROUNDWATER AND HAVE BUILT UP A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SORT OF COLORADO RIVER BASIN ALLOCATIONS.

AND PROBABLY BUILT OUT ON THE PROMISE OF THAT WATER.

WHAT RISKS DOES THAT PUT THESE CITIES AT AS THE COLORADO RIVER AND THE RIO GRANDE ARE REALLY FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES?

>> Lopez: YOU POINT OUT A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT.

ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE CURRENTLY RELY ON SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE WATER PORTFOLIO ON SAN JUAN CHAMA WATER.

THAT IS WATER COMING FROM THE SAN JUAN RIVER, GOES THROUGH TUNNELS UNDER THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND DELIVERED INTO THE CHAMA RIVER AND FLOWS DOWNSTREAM TO THE RIO GRANDE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO USE IT.

AS YOU POINTED OUT, WITH RECENT HYDROLOGY ALREADY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THEY HAVE BEEN SHORTED IN THE LAST COUPLE, PROBABLY, BY 40% IN TERMS OF WHAT THEIR CONTRACT AMOUNT WAS OR IS.

BUT THAT -- IF CLIMATE CONTINUES IN THE TRAJECTORY, IT IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE, WE'LL PROBABLY BE SHORTED YEAR TO YEAR.

SOME YEARS, IN GOOD YEARS, THEY WILL GET A FULL SUPPLY.

THIS MIGHT BE ONE OF THOSE YEARS HOPEFULLY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE GREATER RISK IS IF THE UPPER BASIN AS A WHOLE, WE ARE UNDER THE 1922 COMPACT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS AT LEAST 75 MILLION-ACRE FEET THAT FLOW TO THE LOWER BASIN.

WE CAN'T USE WATER SUCH THAT THEY DON'T GET THAT AMOUNT.

WELL, THE HYDROLOGY IS MAKING THAT A REAL CHALLENGE AND WITHIN -- TO DATE WE HAVE NEVER HIT THAT THRESHOLD AND WE ARE STILL PROBABLY A FEW YEARS AWAY FROM HITTING THAT THRESHOLD BUT WE DO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE MANAGE OUR WATER SUCH THAT IF WE HIT THAT THRESHOLD, WE CAN STILL MEET PRIORITY NEEDS INCLUDING THINGS LIKE SAN JUAN CHAMA CONTRACTORS NEEDS IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE AND ELSEWHERE.

>> Laura: LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS YEAR AND MAYBE THE NEXT FIVE OR 10, WHAT ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR ON THE COLORADO RIVER?

>> Lopez: I AM OPTIMISTIC FROM ONE REGARD.

IT IS KIND OF A DAUNTING CHALLENGE, WHAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO.

ON THE OTHER HAND, FOR PERHAPS THE FIRST TIME THAT I AM AWARE OF, THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGED ACROSS THE BOARD.

ALL SEVEN STATES NOW ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

WHEREAS, YOU KNOW, ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, THERE WAS NOT AN AGREEMENT THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD TO WORK OUT.

RIGHT NOW EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AND EVERYBODY HAS A COMMON OBJECTIVE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH WE THINK WE HAVE TO REDUCE USES AND SO FORTH.

HOW WE DO IT, WE STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT.

BUT FOR THAT REASON, THAT MAKES ME OPTIMISTIC IN THAT WE HAVE KIND OF FINALLY DEFINED THE PROBLEM.

NOW WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH IT.

MEXICO, THEY RECOGNIZE JUST HOW TENUOUS THE SITUATION IS AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING THROUGH THESE PROBLEMS WITH US.

SO, I THINK THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I THINK MAKE ME OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS.

IT IS A CHALLENGE.

EVERYBODY HAS THEIR OWN INTERESTS THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT, BUT IN THE END I THINK WE ALL RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT IF WE DON'T DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, EITHER THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR WILL IMPOSE THOSE SHORTAGES UNILATERALLY.

OR IF HE DOESN'T, NATURE WILL, IF WE CONTINUE ON THIS PATH.

WE HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY OF MANAGING THE RIVER AT THIS VERY, VERY LOW END.

ALL OUR OPERATING GUIDELINES FOR THE RIVER ASSUMED RESERVOIRS THAT WERE GOING TO BE FULL OR CLOSE TO FULL FOR -- AND THAT IS THE WAY WE HAVE ALWAYS OPERATED.

OPERATING AT THE LOWER END OF THE RESERVOIRS, WE NEED TO HAVE NEW MANAGEMENT CRITERIA AND THAT IS OUR CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO FIGURE THAT OUT BY PROBABLY AUGUST OF THIS YEAR AND THEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT, WE HAVE GOT TO START RENEGOTIATING THE 2007 GUIDELINES, INTERIM GUIDELINES, WHICH EXPIRE IN 2026.

SO WE HAVE TO NEGOTIATE A NEW SET OF GUIDELINES GOING FORWARD, COMPLETELY NEW SET OF GUIDELINES, BUT ONES THAT HOPEFULLY WILL BE INFORMED BY THIS NEW CLIMATE THAT WE ARE SEEING AND THIS REALITY THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO BE OPERATING WITH A LOT LESS WATER THAN WE EVER THOUGHT WE HAD BEFORE.

>> Laura: COMMISSIONER LOPEZ, I APPRECIATE YOU TALKING WITH ME TODAY.

IT HAS BEEN REALLY HELPFUL.

>> Lopez: APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Gene: THANK YOU, LAURA.

YOU CAN WATCH THAT ENTIRE CONVERSATION ON THE OUR LAND YOUTUBE PAGE OR LISTEN TO IT ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, THE POD CAST, AVAILABLE ANYWHERE YOU FIND YOUR POD CASTS.

NOW, LET'S RETURN ONE LAST TIME TO OUR LINE OPINION PANEL TO TALK ABOUT MEDICAID.

NEARLY HALF THE STATE IS COVERED UNDER THE FEDERAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SANTA FE ARE CONSIDERING APPROVING A BILL THAT WOULD FURTHER EXPAND NEW MEXICO'S MEDICAID COVERAGE.

IF HOUSE BILL 400 IS APPROVED, ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FULL MEDICAID COVERAGE AND WHOSE HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS 133% ABOVE THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL WOULD BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR LOW COST COVERAGE.

NOW, UNDER THE BILL THE STATE WOULD ALSO FUND A TWO YEAR STUDY ON THE PROPOSED PROGRAM'S EFFECTS.

FOLLOWING THAT STUDY THE PROGRAM WOULD BE OPENED IN 2026 FOR RESIDENTS TO ENROLL.

NOW, MARTHA, IN A STATE THAT IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO KEEP DOCTORS, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE TABLE A LOT, IS NEW MEXICO READY FOR A MEDICAID EXPANSION?

JUST FOCUS ON DOC HERE FOR A QUICK SECOND.

WHAT DOES THIS DO FOR THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY?

GREAT FOR THE CONSUMER.

>> Martha: PUTS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WITHOUT QUESTION.

WHEN YOU SAY GREAT FOR THE CONSUMER, I AM NOT SURE ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT IS HARD RIGHT NOW.

TRY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR PCP, SO TO SPEAK, YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.

YEAH, YOU CAN HAVE AN APPOINTMENT, SIX WEEKS FROM NOW.

BUT, THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS, WHAT ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT CAN'T GET AN APPOINTMENT AT ALL, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR ONE.

SO, IT IS A TWO EDGE SWORD.

AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, IT IS NOT JUMPING INTO THE EXPANSION RIGHT AWAY.

IT IS JUST STUDYING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES GOOD OR BAD.

AS I THINK I HAVE JUST POINTED OUT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF PROBLEMS ON EITHER END.

SO, I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT IT IS GOING TO BE STUDIED FIRST AT LEAST.

>> Gene: DOES THIS REOPEN THE DOOR FOR THE ESTIMATED 85,000 NEW MEXICANS WHO LOST THEIR MEDICAID COVERAGE IN JANUARY?

I MEAN, THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE TABLE HERE.

THAT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Tom: IT IS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THIS WOULD PROVIDE A PATHWAY FORWARD FOR ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE OR ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

WHAT KIND OF RAISES A QUESTION WITH ME IS THIS GOVERNMENT PUSHING MORE GOVERNMENT FOR THE SAKE OF GOVERNMENT OR IS IT USING THE 83, 80,000 PLUS PEOPLE AS A REASON TO MOVE IT FORWARD.

I THINK THAT IT IS OKAY BECAUSE, IN ESSENCE, MEDICAID IS JUST INSURANCE.

MEDICAID, THE INSURANCE ASPECT, WILL ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO GET ACCESS AND ALL IT DOES IS REALLY IT DISTRIBUTES THE FOCUS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER AND ALL THE OTHER COUNTY HEALTH PROGRAMS TO THE LARGER POPULOUS.

SO, IN ESSENCE, THIS DOES RELIEVE A LOT OF THE STRESS THAT UNMH CURRENTLY SEES.

>> Gene: GOOD POINT THERE.

DIFFERENT ANGLES HERE WHEN YOU GET UNDER THE HOOD.

HOW CAN LAWMAKERS FIND A WAY TO ATTRACT MORE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, IF, IN FACT, THE STUDY GOES THROUGH, WE WANT TO DO THIS IN 2026, THAT IS NOT THAT LONG FROM NOW.

IS IT MONEY?

IS IT -- HOW DO YOU GET AROUND THE MEDICAID THING FOR A LOT OF DOCS THAT DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS.

>> Edmund: WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THIS BILL BECAUSE WE ARE LOSING DOCTORS.

WE ARE LOSING DOCTORS FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

A LOT HAS TO DO WITH OUR INSURANCE POLICIES AND THAT IN WHICH WE REQUIRE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO HAVE.

WE LOSE THEM FOR THAT REASON.

WILL WE LOSE MORE AS WE CONTINUE TO EXPAND MEDICAID?

ON THE OTHER HAND, IS HEALTHCARE A RIGHT?

WE LOOK AT THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THEM TOO.

AND MAYBE THIS MOVES A LITTLE CLOSER TO THIS IDEA OF UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYONE.

I KNOW NATIONALLY THAT HAS BEEN WORKED ON, BUT AS IT STANDS NOW, OVER 50% OF NEW MEXICANS ARE ON MEDICAID.

70% OF ALL BIRTHS IN NEW MEXICO ARE MEDICAID.

WE ARE GETTING REAL CLOSE TO THAT ANYWAY.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AND SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE IT WORK FOR DOCTORS AND THE CONSUMER.

>> Gene: I LIKE THE WAY YOU PUT THAT AS A POINT.

A 2022 STUDY FROM RESEARCH FIRM PERRYUNDEM, HALF OF NEW MEXICANS FOREGO HEALTHCARE SERVICES BECAUSE OF COST.

HALF OF US.

THAT COMES AROUND TO HAUNT EVERYONE.

THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO END UP WITH THOSE PEOPLE ANYWAY AT SOME LEVEL AND THAT IS GOING TO BE A DIFFICULTY.

AS LAWMAKERS CONSIDER EXPANDING FUTURE MEDICAID COVERAGE, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS HALTED THE STATE'S PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR CONTRACTS TO RUN THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

THE JOURNAL REPORTS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE DISRUPTION OF SERVICES WHEN CONTRACTS EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO, THE QUESTION REMAINS, WHY WOULD THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CHOSE TO HALT THE STATE'S PROCUREMENT PROCESS IF THAT IS A CONCERN?

>> Tom: OBVIOUSLY ONLY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CAN SPEAK TO THAT.

MEDICAID WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, WHERE IT FITS INTO THE BIG SCHEME OF THINGS, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE BROAD-BASED STATE-WIDE HEALTHCARE IN THE STATE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PART OF THE MEDICAID PIE FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

WITHOUT THAT PIECE OF THE PIE, DOING BUSINESS IN NEW MEXICO AND PROVIDING NON-MEDICAID SERVICES IS VERY DIFFICULT.

STILL POSSIBLE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE APPROVED PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN IN THAT POSITION BEFORE AND THEY HAVE DONE WELL, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE THAT PIECE OF MEDICAID PIE.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THIS WAS, LIKE, POLLED IN THE 11TH HOUR AND THE AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT THAT HAS ALREADY GONE IN, I MEAN THIS HAS -- THIS DOES NOT PASS THE OPTICS.

IT DOES NOT PASS THE SMELL TEST.

IT DOESN'T PASS A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF AND THERE SHOULD BE A LOT OF PROTEST AND I AM SURE THERE WILL BE.

>> Gene: LET'S GET DOWN TO SOME NAMES HERE.

THE COMP PROVIDER, SKY COMMUNITY CARE, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE STATE'S FINAL LIST OF RECOMMENDED PROVIDERS.

NONE OF US KNOW WHY THAT IS, BECAUSE AS MENTIONED WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

BUT WESTERN SKY COMMUNITY CARE, SUB OF CENTENE CORPORATION, COVERS 80,000 PEOPLE AND THEY CAME IN LAST.

>> Martha: THEY CAME IN LAST AND WHAT IS INTERESTING TO ME IS THAT THEY CANCELED THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR EVERYONE.

IS THAT A CYA THING?

BECAUSE, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SINGLE OUT WESTERN SKIES BECAUSE THEY LIKE THEM ANYWAY?

WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT THESE ARE VERY VALID QUESTIONS TO ASK.

THIS COMPANY HAD BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY AND GOTTEN FINED.

HECTOR BALDERAS HAD FINED THEM FOR SEVERAL KINDS OF INFRACTIONS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE TO ME THE GOVERNOR DID NOT WANT TO SINGLE THEM OUT SO SHE JUST CANCELED THE WHOLE THING.

AND IT IS BAD FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE SERVICES, FIRST OF ALL.

BUT AS TOM SAYS, THE OPTICS ARE HORRIBLE.

THE SMELL TEST IS HORRIBLE AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME EXPLANATION WHICH TO NOW HAS NOT BEEN FORTHCOMING.

>> Gene: THAT IS A KEY POINT RIGHT THERE.

A LOT OF THIS -- WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AT THE TABLE, IT IS SUCH A MYSTERY A LOT OF THIS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MARCHING ORDERS ARE.

WE DON'T THE FRUSTRATION, THE PAIN POINTS THEY MAY HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS WITH THESE PEOPLE.

WE DO KNOW THAT WESTERN SKY HAD TO PAY 13.7 MILLION UNDER A SETTLEMENT THAT MARTHA MENTIONED WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AFTER AN INVESTIGATION UNCOVERED ABUSIVE BILLING PRACTICES.

I MEAN 13 MILLION.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

SHOULD WE HAVE TRUST IN THIS COMPANY AFTER THAT OR IS IT JUST PART OF THE GAME.

>> Edmund: IT IS EYEBROW RAISING AND IT IS A CONCERN.

WHERE IS THE OVERSIGHT OF THIS PROCESS?

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT?

WHAT IS THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS?

IS THERE SOMEONE TAKING A LOOK AT IT TO ENSURE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

I MEAN, IS THIS PROBLEMATIC?

HAS THIS HAPPENED IN THE PAST OR IS THIS A ONE-TIME THING.

WE WANT TO AVOID THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, AS WAS ALLUDED TO EARLIER, IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE TO JUST PARTICIPATE AND PREPARE FOR AN RFP.

YOU'RE TALKING A LOT OF DOLLARS AND WE DON'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE POTENTIAL CONTRACTORS FROM EVEN PARTICIPATING IF THEY DON'T TRUST THE SYSTEM.

>> Gene: GUYS.

GREAT CONVERSATIONS.

THANKS AGAIN TO THE PANEL AS ALWAYS.

BE SURE TO LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ANY OF THE TOPICS THE LINE COVERED ON OUR FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM PAGES AND CATCH EPISODES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED ON THE YOUTUBE, OF COURSE, BUT ROKU ON YOUR SMART TV AND ALSO THE PBS APP.

MUCH THANKS TO THE PANEL FOR THE GREAT DISCUSSION TONIGHT AND ALSO TO MY COLLEAGUE GWYNETH DOLAND FOR HER ROUNDHOUSE HALLWAY COVERAGE.

AS YOU HEARD, BILLS ARE STILL BEING CONSIDERED, OF COURSE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TOUCH ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS NO MORE.

THAT IS HOUSE BILL 230.

THE 25-CENT TAX ON ALCOHOL WHICH MET A LUKEWARM HOUSE TAXATION AND REVENUE COMMITTEE HEARING AND THEN WAS TABLED.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE LINE YOU KNOW I HOSTED AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH THE AUTHOR OF A SEVEN PART SERIES THAT HIGHLIGHTED THE TRUE COST OF ALCOHOL IN OUR STATE, AND ADD TO THAT THERE HAS BEEN ZERO INCREASE ON ALCOHOL TAXES FOR 30 YEARS, WHILE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN CLEARLY THAT INCREASING TAXES ON BOOZE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, BUT APPARENTLY NOT IN NEW MEXICO.

WE REALLY NEEDED TO HEAR MORE VOICES WEIGHING IN ON THIS.

I AM ANGRY OUR PART-TIME LEGISLATURE ALLOWS COMMITTEE CHAIRS TO DUCK AND HIDE UNTIL TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

IN A STATE WITH SO MUCH DEATH AND HEARTBREAK AND COSTS FROM DRINKING, IT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

WE NEEDED A DEBATE ON THIS IDEA FROM BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE, BUT IF THIS IDEA IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET OUT OF THE TAXATION COMMITTEE FIRST, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SAME PROBLEM TWO YEARS FROM NOW, AREN'T WE?

SET THEM UP FOR THE LIQUOR LOBBY, THEY WON THIS ONE.

WE DESERVE BETTER.

THANKS AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND STAYING INFORMED AND ENGAGED.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK, IN FOCUS.