Irving, Texas-based Christus Health is planning to integrate a New Mexico hospital into its network, something that is raising concerns among healthcare staff and the local community, according to a June 19 Source NM report.
Concerns raised by staff at the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, and in the Otero County community, have arisen because Christus Health is a Catholic system and may curb women's reproductive rights if the acquisition proceeds, according to the report.
A Christus spokesperson did not directly respond to questions over what the acquisition of the Gerald Champion center might mean for contraceptive access. Christus Health is guided by directives that prohibit a range of reproductive health services, including abortion and contraception, the report said.
Despite such concerns, Otero County commissioners voted unanimously June 7 not to send a letter to the New Mexico attorney general questioning the transaction, the report said. The letter had been drafted by Amber Mayhall, healthcare services director for Otero County.
"I understand that Gerald Champion wants to bring in more services and bring in more doctors, but at what cost?" she said. "We do not deserve to have such a large consequential economic decision made in the dark."
"Elective abortions" have never been a service at the 98-bed Gerald Champion facility, CEO Jim Heckert said.