The Trump administration announced a $74 million federal investment through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand healthcare access in rural, frontier and Tribal communities across New Mexico on Sept. 22.
The funds will establish regional hubs designed to bring specialty, maternal and behavioral healthcare services closer to underserved populations that currently lack adequate access to those services, according to CMS.
New Mexico is among the most medically underserved states in the country, with vast rural distances, limited provider availability and significant health disparities in Tribal communities. The investment targets gaps in care that have contributed to worse health outcomes compared to national averages.
Maternal healthcare access is a particular concern in rural New Mexico, where hospital closures and provider shortages have left many communities without nearby obstetric services. The regional hub model is designed to bring those services within reach without requiring lengthy travel.
Behavioral health services, including treatment for substance use disorders and mental health conditions, are also included in the investment. Rural communities nationwide face acute shortages of behavioral health providers, and New Mexico’s rural and Tribal populations are disproportionately affected.
Tribal communities in New Mexico are explicitly included in the scope of the investment, CMS said. The state is home to 23 federally recognized tribes and pueblos, many in remote areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The initiative is framed as part of a broader rural healthcare access push by the Trump administration. CMS said the regional hub approach is designed to be replicable in other underserved states.
The $74 million investment will be distributed across multiple hub locations in the state, with specific sites and implementation timelines to be announced as agreements are finalized with state and local partners.
New Mexico health officials said they would work with CMS to identify priority communities and coordinate with existing healthcare providers in the state.