State Seeks Public Input on Behavioral Health Study, County Impact
On December 1 the New Mexico Health Care Authority announced three virtual public forums to gather input on how the state can better support people with serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, substance use disorder, or brain injuries. The feedback will shape a Behavioral Health Assessment and Feasibility Study report to be published in January 2026, a document that could influence Medicaid services and local care options in Los Alamos County.
The New Mexico Health Care Authority announced this week that it will host three virtual listening sessions in December to collect public input for a statewide behavioral health assessment and feasibility study. The study aims to identify gaps and opportunities in care for individuals with serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, substance use disorder, and brain injuries, and the final report is scheduled for publication in January 2026.
Sessions are organized by stakeholder group. A providers and managed care plan session will be held noon to 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 9. A session for individuals, family members, and caregivers will run 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 10. A tribal partners session will take place 12 to 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Dec. 11. Advance registration is required at bit.ly/BHFS2025, and Zoom webinar login information will be sent after registration. Written public comments may be emailed to stakeholdercomment@manatt.com by 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Thursday, Dec. 11. More information and links are available at hca.nm.gov.
For Los Alamos County residents the outcome of the study could affect how Medicaid funded services are structured and delivered locally. The assessment will inform state decisions that shape provider networks, care coordination, and resource allocation for mental health and substance use treatment. Local providers, caregivers, and people who rely on Medicaid have the opportunity to raise concerns about access, wait times, workforce capacity, and continuity of care during the scheduled sessions or through written comments.
The inclusion of a dedicated tribal partners session underscores the need to address health equity for Tribal communities across the state, a consideration that can influence service design in rural and frontier counties. While the virtual format may increase accessibility for some participants, it also raises equity questions about internet access and technological barriers for others. Local health leaders and advocacy groups can help bridge those gaps by supporting participation and sharing information about registration.
Residents who want to influence how behavioral health services are planned and funded should register for the session that best matches their role or submit written comments by the Dec. 11 deadline. The upcoming report will be a key reference for policymakers and community stakeholders as they work to expand and improve behavioral health supports in Los Alamos County and across New Mexico.
