The focus remains on ensuring the hospital meets its commitments, including investment, transparency, and access to care for all residents – especially those in need of indigent care.
Source: Doña Ana County (and via Facebook)
Photo: Courtesy
After 18 months of meetings, written requests, and opportunities to address concerns, both governments have filed a Notice of Breach due to incomplete compliance with the agreements. The focus remains on ensuring the hospital meets its commitments, including investment, transparency, and access to care for all residents – especially those in need of indigent care.
Officials emphasized that this action is not a reflection of the hardworking hospital staff, but a step to address concerns at the leadership level and ensure the community receives what was promised.
While both the County and City remain open to working collaboratively toward a resolution, they are now seeking the Court’s assistance to help move the process forward. Their priority remains clear: protecting access to care and upholding commitments made to the community.
DAC/CLC Joint News Conference – March 23, 2026
Doña Ana County and the City of Las Cruces host a joint news conference to discuss the Lease and Asset Purchase Agreements with Memorial Medical Center.
Full Statement
City And County Share Update On MMC Hospital Agreements
Doña Ana County and the City of Las Cruces held a joint news conference on Monday, March 23 to announce the filing of a Notice of Breach related to agreements with Memorial Medical Center, operated by Lifepoint Health.
For the past 18 months, the County and City have worked to address concerns about how those agreements are being carried out. These efforts included meetings, written requests, and opportunities to correct the issues. At this point, full compliance has not been reached, and progress has slowed.
Leadership from both governments explained that this action follows an extended effort to resolve concerns through communication and voluntary compliance, with multiple opportunities provided to address the issues before taking this step.
The County and City are asking for the agreements to be followed. This includes investment in the hospital, required reporting, and access to care. The goal is to make sure the community receives what was promised. This includes making sure all residents, including those who need indigent care, can receive the care outlined in the agreements.
Both the County and City take this responsibility seriously and are focused on protecting access to care.
City leadership acknowledged the hardworking staff at Memorial Medical Center and emphasized that this action is not a reflection of their efforts or dedication, but rather a matter of ensuring expectations are met at the leadership level.
County leadership emphasized that this step comes after sustained efforts to resolve concerns, including formal notice and opportunities to cure. While some progress has been made, it has not been enough to achieve full compliance.
The County Manager also noted that this process has included continued coordination with leadership and legal teams to ensure consistency, due diligence, and a clear path forward.
Both governments will continue to meet with Memorial Medical Center and Lifepoint and remain open to working together to meet the terms of the agreements. At the same time, after many efforts to resolve these issues, both governments are now seeking the Court’s assistance to help move the process forward.
Leadership also emphasized that litigation is not the preferred path, but it is a necessary step at this time to ensure the agreements are followed.
The goal has not changed – to ensure the agreements are followed and the commitments made to this community are met.
Residents can review previously released information related to Memorial Medical Center through the City of Las Cruces Public Records Center.
More details will be limited as this matter moves through a legal process.
Complaint Filed 3/23/26
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