The latest on RMCHCS’s mounting challenges

Between financial and staffing problems, the closure of its Labor and Delivery Unit, Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services continues to face an uphill battle to stay in business.

And now, the Community Health Action Group is trying to hold the hospital accountable by getting the state involved.

According to a news release, CHAG representatives spoke in front of the New Mexico Legislative Committee on Health and Human Services Sept. 15,  and asked the committee, composed of about 30 state lawmakers, to turn hospital operations over to the N.M. Dept. of Health.

The release also states that N.M. state law allows for  NMDOH to...

At the Aug. 31 Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services’ Board of Trustees meeting, CEO Robert Whitaker reported that the hospital had lost about $2.2 million during June and July. He said that the hospital made just over $6 million in net revenue in June while it spent over $7.5 million, which means it lost almost $1.5 million that month.

RMCH made over $6.3 million in July, while spending just over $7 million, resulting in a loss of $745,000.

Despite these numbers, in an Aug. 15 interview with the Sun, Whitaker said that the hospital had made “considerate improvement[s]” though. He noted that revenue is up by about $1 million compared to the previous year. However, he...

DRIVING WHILE HIGH

Gallup, Sept. 16

A man wasn’t driving drunk, but he was high when police caught up to him.

On Sept. 16, around 8 pm, New Mexico State Police Officer Rachel Hall was driving through McKinley County when she got a call from an off-duty NMSP officer, who told her there was a suspicious person at Taco Bell, 914 E. Hwy. 66.

The officer, Paulena Houston, stated that the man had been doing drugs, and then he took off in a car. She said she began following the car as it took a left on State Road 118 near mile marker 22 and began traveling westbound. Eventually, the car reportedly parked at the courthouse, 207 W. Hill Ave.

Hall started driving to the location, but...

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZ. — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer announced the appointments of Bidtah Becker to serve as the Executive Director for the Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources and Oliver Arviso as the new Division Director for the Division of General Services on Sept. 19. Both are members of the Navajo Nation.

Becker is originally from Ojo Encino, N.M. She is Kinłichíi’nii (Red House Clan) and born for Bilagáana (Caucasian). Her maternal grandfather is Tódich’ii’nii (Bitter Water Clan) and her paternal grandfather is Bilagáana (Caucasian). She will depart from her current role as the Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice...