GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS

This bill expands New Mexico's Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to provide grants to rural health care providers and facilities in high-need geographic areas with health professional shortages. It directly affects eligible rural providers (licensed in counties under 100,000 population or designated shortage areas) that serve Medicaid recipients and face operating losses for new or expanded services. Key provisions allow grants covering operating losses (not construction), require Medicaid provider status, mandate financial accountability through verified cost data, and prioritize services addressing critical community health needs. The bill appropriates $50 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 and subsequent years, with unspent funds not reverting to the general fund.