Senator briefs Taos County on state funding requests for Holy Cross Hospital expansion
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Summary
State Senator Roberto Bobby J. Gonzalez told the Taos County Commission the Legislature has received appropriation requests totaling previous asks of $15 million and $7.5 million and that the figure currently under discussion is about $22.5 million to provide building space and house doctors at Holy Cross Hospital.
State Senator Roberto Bobby J. Gonzalez updated the Taos County Commission on Dec. 2 about his efforts to secure state funding to expand Holy Cross Hospital and house medical staff.
Gonzalez said he submitted two appropriation requests in prior budget cycles — one for $15 million and another for $7.5 million — and described current planning around a $22.5 million figure to provide building space that can house doctors and reduce hospital rental costs.
"The most important is to really house our doctors," Gonzalez said, adding that bringing construction and contracts online quickly is critical so the funds are used for their intended purpose. He described the funding requests as general-fund appropriations and said he would continue to press the governor's office and budget committees during the framework process.
Gonzalez also noted that only a small number of hospitals in the state receive this kind of general-fund capital support, naming Bernalillo County's University of New Mexico Hospital and Taos's Holy Cross Hospital as examples.
Commissioners thanked the senator for appearing and emphasized the importance of expediting budget steps so contracts and construction can proceed and the community retains allocated funding.
What's next: Senator Gonzalez said he will continue to pursue the appropriation requests during the state budget process and county staff said they are working to ensure timely use of any funds that are awarded.
