Jarrod Moreau
Artesia Special Hospital District

As the Chair of the Special Hospital District Board for Artesia General Hospital, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact our hospital has on the lives of the people in this community. Whether it’s a routine check-up at Family Practice, life-saving emergency care in the ER, or specialized treatments such as the first MAKO robot in the area at the Bone and Joint Center, Artesia General Hospital is here for us—day in and day out. Now, we have a critical opportunity to ensure that this level of care continues for years to come, all without increasing taxes.

Let me be clear—voting YES on the mill levy will not raise your taxes. This vote is about continuing the support that we, as a community, have already committed to. It’s not an additional financial burden, but a continuation of what we’ve all agreed is necessary to keep our hospital running at its best.

Over the past year, Artesia General Hospital and the board have made significant investments to improve care and ensure our community has access to the best possible services. Together, we’ve invested more than $20 million into crucial improvements and expansions, all of which directly benefit our patients. In addition to providing world-class healthcare, the hospital is also a key part of our local economy, with more than $30 million in just payroll.

Supporting this mill levy means supporting jobs and keeping our community strong—both in terms of healthcare and economic stability.

As a board, we’ve worked hard to make sure every dollar spent goes toward making meaningful improvements that benefit every person who walks through our doors. One of our improvements is the addition of an advanced MRI machine providing the latest in diagnostic imaging. We will be one of only two hospitals in the nation to have this capability.

Here are just a few of the upgrades we’ve already made: –

· A new CT scanner that allows for faster, more accurate diagnostics.

· Important renovations to the West Wing and the Green Chile Café and community meeting spaces.

· Vital IT improvements to keep our healthcare systems secure and efficient.

· New Ultrasound and EKG machines to improve the quality and speed of diagnoses and Mindray patient monitors, providing advanced care monitoring for all patients.

One of the most exciting aspects of this mill levy is that it allows us to continue expanding the services available right here at home. We’ve added new Urology and Cardiology service lines, for example, which means more specialized care will be available locally, saving our neighbors and friends time and ensuring they receive the care they need without traveling out of town. We’re also currently working on adding even more such capabilities, including Women’s Services which will be coming online in the next month.

Artesia General Hospital is deeply committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the care they need, regardless of their financial situation. Through its financial assistance programs, the hospital provides support to individuals and families who cannot afford the full cost of medical services.

As the Board Chair, it’s my responsibility to ensure that Artesia General Hospital remains a place where people can receive high-quality, compassionate care. But this isn’t just about maintaining what we have—it’s about continuing to improve, grow, and meet the ever-changing needs of our community. By voting YES, you’re not just supporting the hospital—you’re supporting the future of healthcare in Artesia. You’re making sure that our children, our seniors, and every family in between will continue to have access to state-of-the-art care right here, close to home.

All registered voters residing within the Artesia Special Hospital District are eligible to vote in the 2025 Mill Levy renewal election. If you’re not yet registered, you can do so easily online through the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website at sos.nm.gov/voter-information. Ballots for the election will be mailed out on May 6, 2025, and must be completed and returned by June 3, 2025, to be counted. Make sure your voter registration is up to date to ensure you receive your mail-in ballot on time.

Artesia General Hospital belongs to all of us. It’s not just a building—it’s a lifeline for the people of this community. When emergencies strike, when we need specialized care, when we just need to know that someone is there to help—we rely on Artesia General. That’s why I’m asking you to vote YES on the mill levy. Let’s continue the work we’ve started. Let’s ensure our hospital has the resources it needs to keep serving Artesia with the highest level of care for decades to come.

Jarrod Moreau is chair of the Artesia Special Hospital District