Editorial ignores mental health facts

Governor created mess that courted Arizona providers

The editorial on the lingering questions surrounding the Martinez administration’s decision in 2013 to banish the 15 largest mental health providers in the state from participating in the Medicaid program was good as far as it went — but it didn’t go very far.

It didn’t mention several key facts that have relevance to the mess that was created. Omitted was the fact that the audit concluded “no evidence of fraud was found,” yet the administration charged, in the most inflammatory language possible, criminal fraud so severe that the agencies were effectively put out of business completely.

Not mentioned was the evidence that the administration had contacted the Arizona companies before, months before, the audit was even begun about their willingness to come into New Mexico and take over our system.

Also forgotten in the editorial is the incredible amount — $27 million by some estimates — of Medicaid money diverted from actual services into subsidizing the Arizona companies’ transition, a transition that has proven very shortlived since profits here weren’t as great as anticipated.

But most disappointing was the failure of the editorial to note that a bill by Senate President Pro Tempore Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, to introduce due process protections for Medicaid providers in the future, a step necessary if this fiasco is not to be repeated, was vetoed by the same governor who created the mess in the first place. It passed both houses with bipartisan support and large majorities.

Sen. Papen’s bill was a common-sense effort. It needs to be resurrected and signed if we are to avoid similar disasters in years to come.