Breaking: Legislators to Withhold Funding from UNM Health Sciences Center

New Mexico Legislators Announce the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (HB 37) and Bill to Withhold Funding from UNM Health Sciences Center
NMAFL Working With Legislators to Address Concerns

ALBUQUERQUE, NM-- Wednesday, New Mexico legislators held a press conference on the House floor at the New Mexico Capitol with Congressman Steve Pearce and New Mexico Alliance for Life's Elisa Martinez to announce HB 37, the Born Alive Infant Protection Act and legislation to withhold funding from UNM Health Science Center (UNM HSC).  Thanks to these leaders along with New Mexico Right to Life's Dauneen Dolce, the HUB of New Mexico Radio, the American Academy of Medical Ethics and all who attended. 

The Born Alive Infant Protection Act is sponsored by Republican lawmakers Rod Montoya, David Gallegos, Rick Little and Yvette Herrell. The NMAFL draft legislation died in committee last year, and requires doctors to resuscitate babies - even those born as the result of an abortion - if they show signs of breathing, a heartbeat, clear movement or even a pulsation in the umbilical cord. Rep. Montoya read deposition testimony given to the Select Panel on Infant Lives, where the UNM OB-GYN Dept. chief, Eve Espey stated that "OB-Gyns do not resuscitate neonates," and that she did not see the "relevance" of the federal Born Alive Protection Act to her practice.  It is for these reasons, NM legislators have introduced HB 37. ​

NMAFL's Elisa Martinez speaking on the NM House Floor

New Mexico pro-life legislators also announced proposing legislation to withhold funding from UNM HSC, if questions and concerns regarding public records and violations of federal and state law are not addressed.  Leaders discussed the fact that the congressional Select Panel on Infant Lives sent two criminal referrals to Attorney General Hector Balderas for UNM HSC and Southwestern Women's Options last year-- yet UNM HSC officials have made no corrective action to address these issues. 

UNM Denies Access to  Public Records from 
Congressman Pearce, Legislators and NMAFL

Not only has UNM HSC taken no corrective action to address violations of law evidenced by the Select Panel's investigation, the UNM Board of Regents and UNM HSC officials have denied access to public records to New Mexico legislators, along with Congressman Pearce. UNM HSC has also refused to comply with public information requests filed by NMAFL to the point that NMAFL has filed a lawsuit against UNM HSC.  NMAFL has worked closely with state legislators since 2015 in exposing the collaboration between University of New Mexico Health Science Center and Southwestern Women's Options in their aborted infant harvesting program and other issues. 

"UNM Health Science Center in collaboration with Southwestern Women's Options has not provided a legal consent form to hundreds and likely thousands of New Mexico women to donate their aborted infants' body for research," said Elisa Martinez, NMAFL executive director. "As a woman and taxpayer of New Mexico, I demand accountability and that these practices that take advantage of women end, "said Elisa Martinez, NMAFL executive director. ​

Rep. Rod Montoya (R- Farmington)

Rep Dennis Roch (R- Logan)

"There is absolutely zero accountability at UNM Health Sciences," said Representative David Gallegos, "UNM's refusal to give an open and honest accounting of their abortion, research and procurement practices to state and congressional legislators is appalling."
"Dr. Roth and his staff, while stiff-arming us for records requests that we needed to exercise proper oversight, at the same time as a member of the appropriations committee I was receiving requests from UNM, for increased funding in a lot of their areas, "said Representative Dennis Roch, "They certainly didn't mind talking to legislators about their need for dollars, but they certainly wouldn't give us any answers when we had questions about their ethical practices."

Rep. Yvette Herrell (R- Alamogordo)

 ACTION ALERT: CONTACT YOUR NM LEGISLATORS TODAY ​

​Find out who your NM state senator and state representative are here.  Contact both by email or phone and tell them to vote for HB 37 the Born Alive Infant Protection Act and to withhold funding from UNM HSC.  
Other Updates:  HB 171 the assisted suicide bill, "End of Life Options" Act will be heard next week before the Judiciary committee.  More analysis here.

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