Hospital settlement becomes a slow process

October 20, 2009

Since the Valencia County Commission voted last month to begin the process for settling the hospital lawsuit pending in the New Mexico Court of Appeals, the negotiations on the terms of the settlement with all of the involved parties has been slow going.

When the county voted 4-1 to work “in principle” to settle the lawsuit it was contingent upon discussions with Valencia Health Commons, the local nonprofit contracted to manage the project for the county.

The county and the commons met two weeks ago today to discuss what position the commons holds on a proposal to terminate the contract as part of the lawsuit’s possible settlement. The legality of the contract is the primary point of contention in the lawsuit.

At the meeting two weeks ago, the commons agreed to have its board discuss the issue and get back to the county within 10 days. The commons board has met and discussed the issue.

According to Commissioner Georgia Otero-Kirkham, to her knowledge the county hasn’t been contacted by Valencia Health Commons to either express a position or set up another meeting to discuss it.

She said it’s possible the commons’ attorney contacted the county’s attorney, who might not have yet reported it to county officials.

In the meantime, she said, county officials have begun to engage prospective healthcare providers in informal conversations to let them know commissioners continue to be interested in improving local healthcare and might call on them to help.

Posted in: Hospital