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.173976.1

SENATE MEMORIAL 3

48

TH

LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

SECOND SPECIAL SESSION

, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Lidio G. Rainaldi

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MCKINLEY COUNTY

AND THE REHOBOTH MCKINLEY CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL TO IDENTIFY AND

PROPOSE A COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE NEW MEXICO CANCER

CENTER OF GALLUP IN ORDER TO PRESERVE ACCESS TO CANCER

TREATMENT FOR GALLUP AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

WHEREAS, the New Mexico cancer center, which opened one

year ago, is a private practice center providing cancer

treatment services in Gallup; and

WHEREAS, there are one hundred twenty thousand people in a

three-county area in need of these services; and

WHEREAS, the center is able to receive reimbursement from

medicare, medicaid and the Indian health service; however, the

reimbursement rates provided by these sources are inadequate to

cover the cost of providing cancer treatment services; and

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.173976.1

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WHEREAS, there is a lack of commercial payers to reimburse

for cancer treatment services in this area of the state; and

WHEREAS, hospitals receive more advantageous reimbursement

rates for services due to group purchasing arrangements, better

pricing for cancer drugs and other economies of scale and

could, therefore, operate the New Mexico cancer center of

Gallup in a profitable manner, thereby preserving access to

cancer treatment services in this area; and

WHEREAS, Rehoboth McKinley Christian hospital and the

board of county commissioners of McKinley county have expressed

a willingness to explore avenues to support the New Mexico

cancer center in Gallup for this purpose;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE

OF NEW MEXICO that the board of county commissioners of

McKinley county and the Rehoboth McKinley Christian hospital be

requested to identify and propose a cooperative relationship,

including the potential purchase of the New Mexico cancer

center of Gallup, to support and preserve access to cancer

treatment for Gallup and the surrounding area; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the board of county

commissioners of McKinley county and the Rehoboth McKinley

Christian hospital work cooperatively with the New Mexico

cancer center of Gallup to explore similar relationships in

other parts of the state, including the potential for state

funding; and

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.173976.1

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposal they develop be

presented to the appropriate legislative body for

consideration; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the board of county commissioners of McKinley

county, the Rehoboth McKinley Christian hospital and the New

Mexico cancer center of Gallup.

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