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ProgressNow NM responds to proposed takeover at UNM Health Sciences Center

  Commentary:   After the New Mexico Political Report published a story today detailing a proposal by Gov. Martinez's appointees on the UNM Board of Regents to dissolve the UNM Health Sciences Center board, ProgressNow NM Managing Director Alex Curtas released this statement:

"It's an incredible affront to this community, and an indication of how politicized Gov. Martinez has made the UNM Board of Regents, that there's a proposal on the table to strip the UNM Health Sciences Center of its independence. An action as important as this – where hundreds of millions of dollars, hundreds of potential jobs, and the reputation of one of NM’s most venerable institutions are involved – should not be simply sprung on the public on a Friday afternoon. The legislature should have weighed in; the public should have more than two (weekend) days notice. When a member of the Health Sciences Center board is already calling this proposal 'a horrible idea' and saying it's motivated by the governor's opposition to new UNM hospital, you know it's bad. Though it may be convenient for those who want to end the hospital's plan for expansion of the UNM healthcare system, our communities' healthcare shouldn't be the subject of political posturing."

Gov. Martinez has repeatedly blocked attempts to fund a needed new UNM hospital and Lovelace Health System, a Martinez campaign contributor, has also been in opposition.