Contact: Isaac Padilla
Office: 505/986.4819
Isaac.Padilla@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
All Behavioral Health Providers Now Cleared of Fraud Accusations,
Senate Democrats Strongly Criticize Gov. Martinez Upon AG’s Announcement
(Santa Fe, NM) – Upon today’s announcement by Attorney General Hector Balderas that there is no evidence of fraud by any of the 15 behavioral health providers that were accused of fraud three years ago by Governor Susana Martinez’s administration, Democratic leaders of New Mexico’s Senate issued the following statements:
“Now we know that all the harm that was done to behavioral health providers across the state, and to their thousands of patients and clients, did not need to happen. The State’s accusations caused chaos in the lives of many of our most vulnerable residents with serious mental health issues. I think they – and the providers whose reputations and businesses were ruined – are owed an apology. What has been done to them is unconscionable. The state’s entire mental health system of care was wrecked by these baseless allegations. None of the providers defrauded the government. But the damage has been done, wreaking havoc in the lives of patient and their families, and it continues.” – Senate President Pro Tem, Senator Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces
“While I am glad to hear the AG’s finding today, I still want to know why Gov. Susana Martinez’s administration cut funding and destroyed organizations that provided vital care for our most vulnerable citizens. It was an incredibly reckless act. So many patients were hurt, hard-working people lost their jobs and reputations, and small businesses were shut down in every part of New Mexico. The 15 providers were falsely accused of crimes, and many were forced to shut down their operations without any due process. It was one of the worst acts of a Governor’s administration in New Mexico’s entire history.” – Senator Majority Floor Leader, Michael S. Sanchez.
Several of New Mexico’s traditional providers were forced to close their doors after accusations of fraud were levelled three years ago by the State, cutting off their Medicaid funding, and bankrupting some. All were replaced by Arizona firms at high cost to taxpayers. Three of them, such as La Frontera in Las Cruces, stopped providing services, leaving communities scrambling to cobble together coverage for residents. Last week, Agave Inc., announced it will halt operations in the 11 counties in New Mexico where it operates, and return to Arizona.
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