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“What Ben Archer was pulling at its health clinics wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal.”
~U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
By Levi Gwaltney
Source: Senatorial Office of Martin Heinrich, NM
Cover Photo: Ben Archer School-Based Clinic, Courtesy Ben Archer Health Health Clinic
Related Articles:
- New Mexico Department of Justice launches investigation into Memorial Medical Center
- City of Las Cruces sends Memorial Medical Center Notice of Breach
- City of Las Cruces receives initial documentation from Memorial Medical Center
In July, Las Cruces Digest reported on the initial investigation into Memorial Medical Center launched by the New Mexico Department of Justice (“New Mexico Department of Justice launches investigation into Memorial Medical Center“). The investigation was spurred by allegations that MMC was “refusing to treat cancer patients, [and] failing to screen patients for financial reasons.”
On August 30, 2024, the City of Las Cruces delivered a “Notice of Breach” to MMC, stating “[t]he City’s legal team alleges Memorial Medical Center violated the lease agreement which calls for them to provide expanded health care services to those unable to pay the full cost of healthcare services rendered to them.” In the “Notice of Breach” was a request for documents. Some of the documents requested by the City were provided at an October City Council Meeting, with remaining documents given an extension to produce. At that City Council Meeting, both the City of Las Cruces and Doña Ana County provided this last update to the public:
“The City [of Las Cruces] and Doña Ana County are meeting regularly with MMC in order to hold all parties accountable.”
There have been no more announcements from the New Mexico Department of Justice since July, 2024, and no further statements from the City of Las Cruces since October of last year. There have been no reports of continuing allegations against MMC; however, Memorial Medical Center has launched a public relations campaign with television commercials visible on many ESPN+ broadcasts of NMSU Athletic events, claiming to be “Proud to be The Official Healthcare Partner of Aggie Athletics“.
“Because here, we don’t just care for you. We care about you.
That’s the Memorial Difference.“Tagline, Memorial Medical Center
“Memorial Difference” Campaign
Ben Archer Health Center (Briefly) Tops Allegations Levied Against MMC
The following message was posted at the entrance of at least one Ben Archer Health Center:
Due to executive order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders” dated February 19, 2025 any ineligible alien who entered the United States illegally or is otherwise unlawfully present in the United States does not qualify for federally funded services at Ben Archer Health Center
As of publication, this Notice has been removed from clinic entrance(s), and no reports of further employment of this practice have been reported.
Las Cruces Digest has not independently confirmed which clinic posted this statement, nor has it confirmed if this notice was posted at all, or only one, location; however, United States Senator Martin Heinrich’s office has “verified that Ben Archer was employing this practice at school-based health clinics, for scheduled appointments at standalone clinics, and for same-day appointment requests.” It is unknown at this time how many, if any, people were refused service.
The Ben Archer Health Clinics operate in multiple locations throughout our broader community, including at least two School-Based Clinics. (Las Cruces Digest recently reported on those clinics: “School-Based Health Centers making a difference statewide“.) Two of the area’s School-Based Health Centers (Organ Mountain High School and Mayfield High School) are operated in partnership with Ben Archer Health Clinics.
Yesterday, after being alerted by constituents, United States Senator Martin Heinrich’s office released the following statement:
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement today after constituents notified his office that Ben Archer Health Center was denying medical care to individuals unable to provide “proof of citizenship”:
“What Ben Archer was pulling at its health clinics wasn’t just wrong, it was illegal. I am glad they reversed course, and that they did it quickly. Let this be a lesson to all health care providers that we will hold you accountable for following the law,” said Heinrich.
“The idea that kids should have to take their birth certificate to school to get care at the school health clinic? It’s just ludicrous. We have skyrocketing grocery prices, a housing crisis, and now, a measles outbreak in New Mexico and Texas. We need our elected officials focused on fixing real issues and our health care providers focused on providing health care,” Heinrich concluded.
Please Note: New Mexico and federal law both require Ben Archer and other similarly funded health centers in the United States to provide health care to all residents of the area the center serves, regardless of immigration status. Relevant statutes include NMSA 24A-1-20 and 42 U.S.C.§ 254b.
Mission Statement from the Ben Archer Health Center website:
“Nuestra misión es mejorar significativamente el estado de salud de nuestra población por medio de prevención de enfermedad, promover educación de salud, proveerle cuidado de salud de calidad, acceso para aquellos con menos recursos y una dedicación fuerte al control de enfermedades crónicas.”
In English:
“The mission of Ben Archer Health Center, Inc. is to significantly improve the health status of its population through the prevention of illness, the promotion of health education, the provision of a quality primary care home, access to the underserved and a strong commitment to chronic disease management.”
