2008 Woodie Awards
Hospital rolls out contract with IHS
Construction of hospital expansion close to beginning
Issue date: 7/1/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
by Manuelita Beck
Daily Lobo
Bids are due back today for the construction of UNMH Children's Hospital and Critical Care Pavilion.
According to Sam Giammo, the UNM Health Sciences Center director of public affairs, the hospital will choose a bid in mid-July. Construction is slated to begin in early fall.
The hurdles
So far, the project has passed a couple of hurdles. Local construction companies objected to a UNM Board of Regents decision to unionize the construction.
UNM also had to amend its lease agreement with Bernalillo County in order to seek a mortgage from the Federal Housing Authority. UNM leases land for the hospital from the county for $1 a year.
Because a portion of the new facility will sit on American-Indian land as well as UNM and county land, the University needed to amend its contract with Indian Health Services, Giammo said.
IHS is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It has a congressional contract with the county for the care of American-Indian residents of Bernalillo County.
UNM's contract with IHS dates back to 1954. Both share in the care of American Indians, although IHS is considered the first resource, said Maria Rickert, acting chief executive officer of IHS's Albuquerque Service Unit.
The agreement
According to the new agreement reached between IHS and the University, indigent American Indians who are Bernalillo County residents will be eligible for the same financial assistance other indigent county residents are.
Rickert said Native Americans who are "dual-eligible" and qualify for both county financial assistance and IHS services should have access to the county assistance.
"They should be treated equally and not separated out," she said.
The agreement comes at a time when the IHS Albuquerque Service Unit receives less money from the federal government despite a growing population of patients.
Daily Lobo
Bids are due back today for the construction of UNMH Children's Hospital and Critical Care Pavilion.
According to Sam Giammo, the UNM Health Sciences Center director of public affairs, the hospital will choose a bid in mid-July. Construction is slated to begin in early fall.
The hurdles
So far, the project has passed a couple of hurdles. Local construction companies objected to a UNM Board of Regents decision to unionize the construction.
UNM also had to amend its lease agreement with Bernalillo County in order to seek a mortgage from the Federal Housing Authority. UNM leases land for the hospital from the county for $1 a year.
Because a portion of the new facility will sit on American-Indian land as well as UNM and county land, the University needed to amend its contract with Indian Health Services, Giammo said.
IHS is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. It has a congressional contract with the county for the care of American-Indian residents of Bernalillo County.
UNM's contract with IHS dates back to 1954. Both share in the care of American Indians, although IHS is considered the first resource, said Maria Rickert, acting chief executive officer of IHS's Albuquerque Service Unit.
The agreement
According to the new agreement reached between IHS and the University, indigent American Indians who are Bernalillo County residents will be eligible for the same financial assistance other indigent county residents are.
Rickert said Native Americans who are "dual-eligible" and qualify for both county financial assistance and IHS services should have access to the county assistance.
"They should be treated equally and not separated out," she said.
The agreement comes at a time when the IHS Albuquerque Service Unit receives less money from the federal government despite a growing population of patients.
Anonymous posts are no longer allowed. They will not show up.
You must be logged in to post!