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Hidalgo Medical Services warns five senior centers face service cut without new funding
Summary
Hidalgo Medical Services told Grant County commissioners it will stop operating its Compassion for Seniors program and may transfer operation of some senior centers back to the state unless local funding is secured; HMS reported multi-year operating losses and a current shortfall of $275,738.37 for fiscal 2025.
Hidalgo Medical Services told Grant County commissioners on April 8 that it will end its Compassion for Seniors program immediately and begin transitioning some senior-center services back to the state unless additional funding is secured.
Doctor Dan Otero, speaking for Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS), said the program — launched in 2021 with support from Freeport-McMoRan and local partners — provided more than $130,000 in direct assistance to about 222 seniors over three years. "Unfortunately, this program was not funded this year and we are formally announcing the end of this program for seniors effective today until additional funding sources are secured," Otero said.
The change comes as HMS reports mounting operating losses at five senior centers it operates in Grant and Hidalgo counties. Otero said HMS covered operating losses of $144,253 in FY2023 and $345,350 in FY2024 and projects a $275,738.37 shortfall for FY2025 through June, bringing a three-year combined loss to about $765,341. He said total operating costs for the five centers are roughly $1,400,000 annually.
Why it matters: HMS delivers congregate senior services, nutrition, and related supports under contracts with the New Mexico Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Otero said HMS has worked with state aging officials and local governments but has not secured sufficient state, federal, or local contributions to continue operating all five centers. He warned that approximately 450 seniors who use the centers would be affected if funding is not found.
Commissioner questions and next steps: Commissioners asked for invoice documentation and line-item budget details. Commissioner Paul (chair) and others asked HMS to re-submit invoices to Grant County so the county can process its budgeted contribution (Commissioner Paul said Grant County has historically provided about $50,000 annually for senior centers). Otero said Grant County did not provide funds for the last fiscal year but that other municipalities (Hidalgo County, City of Lordsburg and Town of Silver City) had provided contributions for FY2025.
HMS described responses it has taken on quality concerns raised in past years — leadership changes and service improvements — and cited recent senior and staff satisfaction survey results: roughly 92% overall satisfaction among a sample of 50 seniors across five HMS senior centers and a 94% customer-service satisfaction rating; 10 of 13 senior-service employees reported they were satisfied or very satisfied with employment, and 12 of 13 reported feeling connected to the mission.
HMS said it will coordinate with the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Division (ALTS) and the AAA to transition services in centers that do not receive adequate local government contributions. Otero said HMS had notified staff and planned to inform roughly 450 clients about the funding emergency.
What was not decided: No formal county action was taken at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to work with HMS on submitted invoices and budgetary paperwork; Otero acknowledged he would resend paperwork on request. HMS did not identify specific new funding commitments during the meeting.
Ending: HMS requested immediate support to avoid service interruptions and said it would continue conversations with state aging officials and local governments about transitions if funding cannot be found.
