Topic: Health Care in Our Community, Rural Health Needs
Participants: Erin Marshall (Health Action NM). Lisa Esquibel (San Miguel County Family and Community Health Council Intern), Naomi Swinton (United World College-USA, Samaritan House Cold Weather Shelter)
Co-Hosts: Pat Leahan, Dennis Lopez, Arielle Hawney (via phone)
Summary: Lisa Esquibel discusses health care disparities in our community discovered by the SM Co. Health Council, including substance abuse and access to health care. The Health Council recently completed a survey to gather input from the community, and these disparities emerged as current health issues. Lisa is soliciting further input from folks around the county to deepen the Health Council's understanding of our health care needs. We are encouraged to contact them with our input (see contact information below). Erin Marshall talks about significant Medicaid cuts being proposed for NM, and she encourages us to submit our public comments via email to medicaid[dot]comments[at]state[dot]nm[dot]us or call the NM Human Services Department. Naomi talks about the local Cold Weather Shelter which serves stranded travelers, people who are chronically homeless, and others in need. Volunteers are needed. A Homelessness Task Force was recently formed to begin a collaborative conversation among health care providers in the area to examine the continuum of care and how it can be improved. Erin Marshall is helping lead an effort in a rural dentistry program, with the goal of increasing access to oral health care and dentistry in rural NM. New Mexico ranks 49th in the nation for the number of dentists per capita; we have 4 counties with no dentist; 29 of 33 counties do not have enough dentists to serve the residents; and we need 1,800-2,000 more practitioners to meet NM's dental needs. The Dental Therapist Model is one solution that has been working very successfully elsewhere, such as in Alaska, and for 80 years in 50 different countries, and Erin is working to help implement this model of mid-level dental therapy providers here in NM.
Resources:
San Miguel County Family and Community Health Council http://www.smhealthcouncil.org/ (505) 425-9770
Radiocasts