Michael Padilla

The meeting addressed several key areas, including a Gap and Needs Assessment, the establishment of Credentialing Workgroups, and Tribal Engagement strategies. Discussions also covered a Regional Convening Workshop by the UNM Health Science Center, updates on the AOC's Regional Community initiatives, and HCA's Early Access Regional Plans. The committee discussed the need for a funding structure, Medicaid behavioral health spending, a unified timeline, and early access funding to support capacity building.

The meeting included a Medicaid Director welcome and a recap of the special session and HR-1 impacts, focusing on funding allocations for food assistance programs, HCA staffing, IT system upgrades, and health insurance costs. Staff announcements introduced new personnel and acknowledged the retirement of a long-serving staff member. Old business included a discussion on conflict of interest, the election of BAC co-chairs, and the designation of MAC representatives. Members completed a key priorities survey, identifying access to care, service quality, care coordination, equity, and Medicaid policy changes as top themes. The council discussed the HCA website overhaul and BAC bylaws. The meeting also included a review of the upcoming MAC meeting agenda.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including updates on the Licensing and Credentialing Workgroup and the Operations Sub-Committee. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Early Access Regional Plans was announced to accelerate funding into communities. Updates were provided on regional planning workshops and community engagement efforts, including the sharing of the final version of the E-SIM. The committee also discussed reimbursable behavioral health services, Medicaid reimbursement processes, and a comprehensive timeline for upcoming deadlines and responsibilities. The resignation of the Medicaid Director was announced. The need to support rural New Mexico's small regions under the current NOFO was stressed.

The meeting included a welcome from the Medicaid Director and a recap of the special legislative session outcomes, which allocated emergency funding to address federal cuts to food assistance programs and other state needs. There were introductions of new staff members. Old business included discussions on conflict of interest, choosing BAC leadership, a key priority survey, and the BAC SharePoint workspace. New business covered the HCA website redesign in procurement, BAC bylaws, and a review of the November 3, 2025 MAC meeting agenda, which included reports, the NM Special Session, the Rural Health Transformation Plan, SB3, HR1, and an overview of CMS Final Rule 2442-F.

The State of New Mexico's Rural Health Transformation Plan outlines a comprehensive, community-centered strategy to enhance healthcare access and support for all New Mexicans, particularly those in rural, frontier, and tribal communities. The plan is structured around five key initiatives: Healthy Horizons, focusing on expanding specialty care and chronic disease management; Rooted in New Mexico, dedicated to building and sustaining the rural health workforce; the Rural Health Innovation Fund, empowering local communities to address specific health challenges; Bridge to Resilience, establishing a center for provider sustainability and innovation; and the Rural Health Data Hub, creating an integrated health analytics platform. The overarching goal is to expand access, strengthen outcomes, ensure lasting equity, and build a resilient healthcare system that empowers families and supports local providers across the state.