Discuss health care options ASAP

KUDOS TO Rosalie Rayburn, Journal staff writer, whose March 4 piece, “Let’s Talk,” eloquently captures the urgency around having conversations about our health care wishes — throughout life. Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist Ellen Goodman’s national Conversation Project (TCP) provides resources — easily accessed and free — for all to use.

New Mexico’s own Conversation Project, NMCP, is an all-volunteer, local initiative that brings TCP’s resources to New Mexico’s culturally rich and diverse communities. In collaboration with our national TCP colleagues, NMCP offers resources and develops initiatives to “bring the conversation” to local individuals, groups, faith communities and people of all ages. Currently we are targeting the role of faith communities and their leaders in promoting Advance (health) Care Planning. We are also working with high school- and college-age students to develop materials appropriate for their health issues. People of all ages face serious health care decisions. We are committed to providing free, language- and culture-appropriate materials for all New Mexicans.

To find out more about NMCP, go to NMCP’s website: www.conversationprojectnewmexico.org.

As Ellen Goodman says, “It’s always too soon, until it’s too late.” JOAN MCIVER GIBSON Albuquerque