The MolinaCares Accord Hosts Panel Featuring State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Local Experts on Bridging Gaps in Access to Care for New Mexicans.
Media Contacts: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588
Jamie Dickerman, jdickerman@sunny505.com, 505-720-2195
Albuquerque, N.M. – Dec. 12, 2022 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of New Mexico (“Molina”), held a virtual panel on December 6 focused on increasing access to care for New Mexicans.
The event was hosted by Carolyn Ingram, plan president of Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, and featured a discussion from a panel of New Mexico experts moderated by Richard Eeds, host of The Richard Eeds Show on KTRC. New Mexico State Senator Gerald Ortiz y Pino (NM-12) provided keynote remarks.
“This topic is very near and dear to my heart,” said Carolyn Ingram, plan president for Molina Healthcare of New Mexico. “I’m from New Mexico, I grew up here and raised my kids here, and I have seen firsthand a lot of the health disparities that we have across the state and the issues we have with access to care and appropriate treatment for services, ranging from physical health to prenatal care and especially behavioral health.”
The panel of experts included Antoinette Villamil, grants and fund development director for Sky Center, Jodie Jepson, housing director for Heading Home, and Joe Anderson, PhC of the UNM Health Sciences Center. The panel discussed and identified solutions for health professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders to support improvements in access to care that meet the diverse needs of all of New Mexico’s residents.
During his keynote address, Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino discussed recent legislative activity around this topic, saying, “we made it a priority to always—at every location— talk about the whole situation regarding behavioral health, because during the COVID pandemic that became one of the major concerns that we had in our state. So many people have not been able to access care during this time. It contributes to the homeless situation. It contributes to our physical health problems as well.”
The full panel discussion can be viewed here.
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About the MolinaCares Accord:
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.
About Molina Healthcare of New Mexico:
Molina Healthcare of New Mexico has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 1998. The Company serves members through Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace programs throughout New Mexico. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of September 30, 2022. For more information about Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.