LOS LUNAS, N.M. (KRQE) – After more than 20 years of planning and tens of millions of dollars raised waiting to be spent, Valencia County is now finally breaking ground on its long-sought hospital.

The county’s been sitting on roughly $28 million in operational funds for this hospital for the last decade. Now, they’re finally taking a huge step forward in using it. “The population here has increased tremendously. Health care in New Mexico and all over the country right now is challenging so us to be able to have this facility here going to be able to address the needs of our community is just wonderful,” said Chairman Gerard Saiz, Valencia County Commission.

Local and state leaders broke ground on the new facility on Wednesday right off the main I-25 Los Lunas exit. Crews will spend the next year and a half building out the facility which will eventually be run by a partnership between Community Hospital Corporation and Lovelace Health Systems. The hospital will have its own emergency department and two operating rooms along with 11 in-patient rooms for overnight stays. Patients will have access to MRIs, X-rays and a pharmacy, something patients today have to go to Albuquerque for.

Read the full article, KRQE News, Nov 20, 2024.