The high cost of birth: New Mexico families travel farther for care

New Mexico has made strides in improving maternal and infant health, but many families have challenges finding a place to give birth.

By: Taylor Velazquez, KUNM News

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: August 3, 2026

Words: 1,052

Last Updated: 4 hours, 27 minutes ago

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New Mexico has made strides in improving maternal and infant health in recent years. But for many families, another challenge is growing: finding a place to give birth. As hospitals across the state close labor and delivery units, pregnant patients are traveling farther for care and access itself is becoming part of the bottom line.

When Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services closed its labor and delivery unit in 2022, it eliminated roughly half …

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