
Mimbres Memorial Hospital CEO Steve Westenhofer told the Deming city councilors Monday night that the number of babies born in Deming to mothers from Mexico has almost tripled in the first five months of 2014 as compared to the same period a year ago.
And, he said, uninsured residents using the hospital remains a big issue, even with the Affordable Health Care Act kicking in.
Westenhofer reiterated that the hospital is a critical part of the quality of life in Deming and has an economic impact on the region.
He told the councilors that last year the hospital had a $22 million impact to Luna County, including a $14.5 million dollar payroll, $1.2 million paid in taxes, $500,000 in capital investments made to the facility, and $600,000 spent with local businesses and services.
Westenhofer said the medical office building being constructed south of the hospital by local contractor Tim Seybert of La Harca, Inc., is set to open August 1st.