New Mexico attorney general launches probe of patient care at private equity-run hospital

Source: NBC News

New Mexico attorney general launches probe of patient care at private equity-run hospital

The investigation follows a June report by NBC News about the hospital’s allegedly turning away indigent and low-income patients, including people with cancer.

July 17, 2024, 6:30 AM EDT
By Gretchen Morgenson

New Mexico’s attorney general announced an investigation Tuesday into Memorial Medical Center, the Las Cruces hospital operated by Lifepoint Health, to determine whether the facility, highlighted in a recent NBC News report, violated state laws by turning away indigent and low-income patients seeking care.

The attorney general, Raúl Torrez, said his office is examining Memorial’s patient policies for compliance with a state law and the hospital’s performance under the New Mexico statute governing provision of care to needy patients.

At the news conference announcing the investigation Tuesday, Torrez said he had just met with patients, as well as providers at Memorial, to discuss their concerns.

“It is apparent to me that the management of this facility has failed to place the well-being and safety and care of their patients in the proper place and in the proper priority,” he said. “It is apparent to me that decisions have been made from a standpoint that is seemingly motivated by profit, by maximizing the bottom line and without due respect and due regard to patients under their care.” He also warned hospital management not to retaliate against anyone speaking out about its practices.

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Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/investigations/new-mexico-investigates-private-equity-hospital-las-cruces-rcna162174