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. University officials say they have no current plans to acquire Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas.
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.
Chris Ramirez, a spokesperson for the UNM Health Sciences Center, said the university is exploring options to purchase property and plan, design, construct, equip, and furnish clinical facilities in San Miguel County, as directed by the Legislature.
Alta Vista Regional Hospital also said no deal with UNM is planned.
“No transaction is planned” with the Health Sciences Center, the hospital leaders said in a statement.
The hospital previously signed a preliminary letter of intent involving a potential transaction, but that agreement expired Sept. 1.
“The expiration of the letter of intent does not change Alta Vista Regional Hospital’s ability to serve its patients or its commitment to the community,” the hospital said. It added that it remains focused on providing quality care, supporting employees and strengthening health care services in the region.
The Legislature approved $15 million in capital outlay funding for UNM to acquire property and develop clinical facilities in San Miguel County. The funding is intended to improve access to health care in rural communities.
Separately, lawmakers allocated $10 million for a reproductive health clinic in Northern New Mexico. The planned clinic would provide medication and in-clinic abortions, contraception, miscarriage management and preventive care.
At the February 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 the northern reproductive health clinic following discussions with the state.
That connection has drawn criticism from abortion opponents.
Elisa Martinez, executive director of the New Mexico Alliance for Life, accused UNM of expanding abortion services in Las Vegas and criticized the university’s plans for the community, which has two college campuses.
UNM officials, however, have described the broader clinical-facility effort as part of an effort to expand health care access for residents of northern New Mexico and fulfill legislative directives.
The dispute comes as New Mexico continues to see debate over abortion access and services.
Abortion Free New Mexico recently claimed that Planned Parenthood in Santa Fe had stopped providing abortion care, calling it evidence of a struggling industry. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains said in-person medication abortion services at its Santa Fe location have been paused for more than a year because of staffing shortages and are expected to resume in early 2027.
Patients can still access medication abortion through telehealth or receive in-person care at the organization’s Albuquerque clinic. The organization said the Albuquerque location has provided care to nearly 100 Santa Fe-area patients since May.
Demand for abortion services in New Mexico has increased since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. More than 10,000 patients traveled to New Mexico for abortions in 2025, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
The state has also committed funding to expand reproductive health services, including a $10 million clinic under construction in Las Cruces.
For now, UNM says its plans for San Miguel County is focus on expanding access to clinical care, while Alta Vista Regional Hospital says there is no pending transaction with the university.
