A bill to codify College-Primarily based Overall health Centers heads to Guv’s desk

two hours ago

Overall health

By Susan Dunlap | two hours ago

Matthew Reichbach

A bill to codify College-Primarily based Overall health Centers into state statute passed the Property floor by a 40-25 vote Wednesday evening just after hours of debate.

SB 397, sponsored by state Rep. Christine Trujillo, D-Albuquerque, heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s desk. The bill does not modify something about College-Primarily based Overall health Centers which have currently been in existence in New Mexico for the final 25 years.

There are 79 College-Primarily based Overall health Centers in the state and 54 of them are presently funded by the Division of Overall health.

The bill generated considerable debate on the Property floor with Republicans expressing concern more than the ideal of young people today to consent to their personal healthcare. That is current state law.

“If they are beneath 14, the kid has to have parental consent. Each and every clinic, whether or not they are College-Primarily based Overall health Centers or not, they adhere to the exact same policies. If they are 14 or older, they do not want the consent,” Trujillo mentioned.

State Rep. Jenifer Jones, R-Deming, asked if the state has ever been quick on funding for these clinics. Trujillo mentioned the state has and, as a outcome, 5 College-Primarily based Overall health Centers closed six years ago. They have never ever reopened, Trujillo mentioned.

Trujillo mentioned the cause to codify the centers now is due to a concern that the College-Primarily based Overall health Centers could be eliminated due to political whims.

State Rep. Jim Townsend, R-Artesia, asked if members of the neighborhood are in a position to access the centers. Trujillo mentioned some charter schools inside a neighborhood use a College-Primarily based Overall health Center. She mentioned members of the neighborhood if it is authorized by the person college board.

Townsend also asked if college boards could opt out. Trujillo mentioned it is up to the college board to decide on whether or not to open and operate a center and, if they do, which provider they companion with and what solutions that fall beneath principal and behavioral healthcare they present.

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