By Olivier Uyttebrouck
Journal Staff Writer
A state board approved a $223 million plan to expand University of New Mexico Hospital despite objections that it will undercut medical service to poor New Mexicans.
The New Mexico Commission on Higher Education voted 12-1 to support UNM's plan to issue $183 million in bonds to finance the expansion, called the Children's Hospital and Critical Care Pavilion.
The project, expected to break ground this fall, will be among the largest public projects in the state's history.
Estimated costs include $183 million for construction plus $40 million in financing.
The expansion is expected to increase the number of beds at UNMH from 401 to 471. The project includes a new Children's Hospital and new maternity and emergency units.
Commission member Carol Miller of Ojo Sarca cast the lone vote against the plan, arguing that New Mexico needs to direct money toward primary care for poor and rural New Mexicans rather than at costly capital projects.
The UNMH expansion "doesn't matter to the people in my community who can't even get in to see a doctor," said Miller, a former medical clinic director in Rio Arriba County.
Dr. Phil Eaton, vice president of UNM's Health Sciences Center, said the expansion is vital to the future of research and medical education at UNM, which supports treatment programs throughout the state.
"Our care mission is totally balanced on the teaching and research missions," Eaton said.
The expansion will help UNM expand medical research programs and recruit top professionals, he said.
About 14,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in UNM Cares, which pays medical costs for low-income patients. UNMH and affiliated clinics provided $101 million in uncompensated care in fiscal year 2003-04, a spokesman said.
"The charity care that this institution offers is among the highest of any institution in the country," Eaton said.
Dr. Andru Ziwasimon, an Albuquerque physician who attended the meeting, called the expansion a risky and costly project that will force UNMH to scale back care for the poor and uninsured.
"It will require the university to go after the insured market and push away the uninsured market," Ziwasimon said.
Commissioner Don Chalmers responded that the project ultimately will provide UNMH with "more actual dollars that can be used for research, indigent care and health services for all New Mexicans."
Steve McKernan, UNMH chief executive officer, told commissioners that UNM plans in August to issue $183 million in bonds to finance the project. The state Board of Finance is expected to consider UNM's plan on July 13, McKernan said.
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