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DOH’s budget invests in health and wellbeing for New Mexico
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) submitted the department’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 general fund budget request to the Legislative Finance Committee of $393 million. When factoring in all funding sources, including federal dollars, the department’s budget is more than $771 million.
“Public health research shows that meaningful community and patient engagement can make a significant difference in both reducing health disparities and increasing positive health behaviors,” said David R. Scrase, M.D., acting DOH secretary. “This budget request ensures a conscientious allotment of resources that will deliver and advance positive and equitable health outcomes for all New Mexicans. To meet these goals, it’s important for DOH to rebuild our public health infrastructure in the areas of information technology, finance and human resources.”
The budget request aligns the department’s funding with the DOH mission and strategic plan to ensure health equity, promote health and well-being, and improve health outcomes for all people in New Mexico. It also mirrors the department's commitment to serve New Mexicans, across the state, with investments in priority areas, such as rebuilding the public health infrastructure, expanding school-based health centers and more. DOH is one of the largest departments in New Mexico state government and touches the lives of almost every New Mexican through more than 120 programs and services.
In the wake of the massive disruption created by the pandemic, DOH is asking for an 11% increase in its FY24 general fund budget request. Top budget priorities include the following:
Recruitment, retention, and funding for key staff positions $14 million
- DOH has requested $14 million to hire and retain a skilled workforce across multiple divisions such as the Administrative Services, Facilities Management, Health Certification, Licensing and Oversight, Public Health, Information Technology, and Epidemiology and Response.
Rate increases for providers who care for people with developmental disabilities $10.2 million
- As part of the gradual elimination of the waitlist for the state’s Developmental Disabilities waiver, to be complete in early 2023, DOH has requested an additional $10.2 million, to be matched with $28 million in federal funds, to equalize caregiver and provider payment rates.
Marketing $8 million
- DOH has requested $8 million to launch a broad public education campaign focused on healthy behaviors and choices to improve the health of New Mexicans. The agency’s ability to reach all New Mexicans waned with the elimination of its marketing budget a decade ago and has only been restored temporarily with federal funds strictly dedicated to COVID-19 messaging. While utilizing federal dollars, DOH demonstrated the power of advertising as key to increasing vaccination rates to over 90%.
Substance misuse prevention $6.8 million
- DOH has requested $5 million for the Public Health Division to develop a cross-divisional multi-specialty Office of Alcohol Prevention to reduce alcohol related deaths in New Mexico.
- DOH has requested $1.8 million for the Public Health Division to introduce Medication Assisted Treatment services in additional rural DOH Public Health Offices to rural statewide to address opioid overdose trends in New Mexico.
School-Based Health Center (SBHC) expansion $5.8 million
- DOH has requested $5.8 million to broadly expand School Based Health Centers to provide primary care, behavioral health and suicide prevention services for 25,073 students in 70 rural and tribal community schools. This would continue the governor’s special allocation for SBHCs and cost less than $300 per student to successfully cover this expansion.
Family planning/women’s reproductive health services $2 million
- DOH has requested $2 million for the Public Health Division for family planning and women’s reproductive health services to replace reductions in federal funds to maintain current family planning services.
Language access $389 thousand
- DOH has requested $389 thousand for the Administrative Services Division to establish a Language Access Program that will implement evidence-based language access training and guidance throughout DOH and materials in plain language with multiple languages.
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El presupuesto del Departamento de Salud invertirá en la salud y el bienestar de Nuevo México