U.S. Rep. Ben Ray LujánCONGRESSIONAL News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Following the announcement that Tri-County Community Services will close at the end of this month, U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrote to Gov. Susana Martinez and New Mexico’s Departments of Health, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families, calling on them to take swift action to provide northern New Mexicans with continuity of behavioral health services.
“After speaking with Secretaries Earnest and Gallagher, as well as the Governor’s Chief of Staff, I am encouraged that all parties involved will be able to work together to solve this problem. A plan is needed to ensure that the most individuals maintain access to their behavioral health provider,” Luján said.
Tri-County Community Services announced that they will close their doors Aug. 31, 2018. Unless the Martinez administration acts to provide a high-quality solution, Sept. 1, 2018, patients who rely on Tri-County for behavioral health services will be left with nowhere to turn. Tri-County serves as one of northern New Mexico’s largest behavioral health providers, operating in three locations and serving over 50,000 New Mexicans in Taos, Colfax, and Union counties.
Luján also reminded state officials that 1,300 New Mexicans currently rely on Tri-County Community Services and of the importance of reliable, consistent mental health care. He urged action and offered support to ensure that their Departments and the state are prepared to protect the northern New Mexicans who will be losing a primary source of behavioral health services.
The full text of the letters can be read here.
