City Hall with Flags in front

At a news conference Friday morning, Las Cruces City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau addressed a Notice of Material Breach that was delivered to Memorial Medical Center and LifePoint Health on Thursday, August 30, 2024. Taumoepeau expressed that the City would hold itself and its partners accountable to their commitments.

Other speakers at the news conference included City Attorney Brad Douglas, Mayor Pro Tem Johana Bencomo, and City Councilor Becky Corran.

Both City and County leaders agree that they would like to see Memorial Medical Center meet its obligations and continue to serve vulnerable populations in the community. Both City and County administrators want to be involved in holding responsible parties accountable.

The 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. The agreement also calls for the hospital to prepare a monthly cost report for lessors and the operating board of the costs of expanded care during the previous month served along with number of patients served.

The City is demanding that Memorial Medical Center:

  • Provide all documents related to requests made for expanded care between years 2018 and 2024.
  • Provide all documents relating to Memorial Medical Center’s denial of requests for expanded care services in the same timeframe.
  • Provide all documents relating to annual capital expenditures in connection with the operation of the hospital.
  • Provide all reports setting forth the costs of expanded care services provided between 2018 and 2024.
  • Develop an annual report describing the fulfillment of the lessee’s obligations under the lease by September 30, 2024.
  • Provide all annual reports describing the fulfillment of the lessee’s obligation under the lease developed for the years 2018 through 2024.
  • Provide a detailed outline of its plan to remedy the defaults identified regarding the denial to provide expanded care services within 30 days or an explanation why it cannot within 30 days.

Friday’s news conference can be viewed at clctv.com and on the City’s YouTube Channel.
Documents related to this news conference can be found in the Trending Topics section of the Public Records portal on the City’s Website.

Suspect Arrested in Buchanan Avenue Stabbing Death
NMSP Investigates OIS involving the Las Cruces Police Department
Other news in News Releases
Dog With a Ball

Dog Park Rules Survey

The City of Las Cruces will be making changes to our Dog Park Rules. We would like your input. Take Survey
Poster submitted by Mesa Middle School student Jasmine Horvath

Veterans Day Parade

The Las Cruces Veterans Day Parade has been put on by volunteers since 1995 in support of local Veterans. Please come out and help show your support of our Veterans…
wallet with folded bills inside and change spilling out from it on a table.

Minimum Wage Notice for 2025

Pursuant to the Las Cruces Municipal Code (LCMC) the minimum wage will increase for Las Cruces, effective January 1, 2025.   According to LCMC, the Las Cruces minimum wage will…
Cactus and succulents

Lush and Lean Fall Workshops

The Lush and Lean program helps residents to make the best use of the limited water resources available by developing and maintaining gardens and landscapes that are also water-wise. The…
Golden colored shovels lined up in dirt for ceremonial groundbreaking

Peachtree Canyon Groundbreaking

You’re Invited! Please join us for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Peachtree Canyon Apartments, a 144-unit affordable housing development. Date: October 10, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM Location: Corner of Peachtree Hills…
kids at a table in halloween costumes at pumpkin palooza

Pumpkin Palooza

Pumpkin Palooza is back at the the Frank O’Brien Papen Community Center! Mark your calendars for 4 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2024. For more information on Pumpkin…

Know Your City Seminar Series

The City of Las Cruces would like to invite all residents that are interested in learning more about the City to our “Know Your City Seminar Series”. It will run…

Art Stop Public Art Exhibit

The Art Bus Shelter art exhibit is looking for artists. Art could be featured at one of six Las Cruces bus shelters. Apply today. Art Stop Public Art Exhibit Applications
PCE Scrubbers at Griggs Walnut Superfund site.

Griggs Walnut Open House

Thank you to all who attended the Griggs Walnut Ground Water Plume Superfund Open House on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 153 N. Cottonwood St., near the intersection of Griggs…
University Avenue

University Avenue Corridor Study

Tell the City of Las Cruces what you would like University Avenue to look like. The City is conducting a corridor study for University Avenue from I-10 to I-25. Use…