SANTA FE — October is Community Health Workers Month and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a proclamation in recognition of their public service in the state.
“This month gives us the opportunity to thank community health workers for their vital contributions to healthcare across New Mexico,” Chief Medical Officer for the New Mexico Department of Health Dr. Miranda Durham said.
On Oct. 29 and 30, New Mexico’s Community Health Workers will come together for two days of learning, training and building a supportive CHW community at their third annual conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “CHW/Rs Changing the Landscape of New Mexico!” and it will take place at Santa Ana Pueblo.
Community health workers and community health representatives have worked in New Mexico for years, but their formal recognition as part of the healthcare system did not occur until 2014. Currently there are more than 500 in New Mexico.
"New Mexico's community health workers and representatives are frontline champions, providing essential support to our communities," Devona Quam, Director of the Office of Community Health Workers for NMHealth, said. "Their presence reduces healthcare costs, improves chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, and lowers rehospitalization rates."
This year the New Mexico Medicaid Reimbursement model was approved by the Centers for Medicaid Services. This model incorporates a standing provision allowing CHWs and CHRs to bill Medicaid for their services. This allows communities in the state increased access to these healthcare providers for services like health education, health navigation and clinical support.
