The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is evaluating options to expand clinical facilities and improve access to health care in rural San Miguel County after lawmakers approved $15 million for the effort, Searchlight New Mexico reports. Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas says no transaction with the Health Sciences Center is currently planned.
The clarification comes after the New Mexico Alliance for Life accused UNM of preparing to buy the hospital as part of an effort to expand abortion services in the area. The hospital previously signed a preliminary letter of intent involving a potential transaction with UNM, but that agreement expired Sept. 1.
Separately, lawmakers allocated $10 million for a reproductive health clinic in Northern New Mexico that would provide medication and in-clinic abortions, contraception, miscarriage management and preventive care. At the Feb. 17 meeting of the UNM Board of Regents, Dr. Christopher Arndt, interim president and CEO of the UNM Medical Group, said Las Vegas appeared to be an ideal location for that clinic, a connection that has drawn criticism from abortion opponents.
The dispute comes amid continuing debate over abortion access in New Mexico. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains said in-person medication abortion at its Santa Fe location has been paused for more than a year because of staffing shortages and is expected to resume in early 2027. Patients can still get medication abortion through telehealth or in-person care at its Albuquerque clinic.
Why It Matters
The $15 million in capital outlay funding is intended to improve access to health care in rural communities.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from Searchlight New Mexico’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit Searchlight New Mexico’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
