NMFOG sues AG’s office, HSD to release behavioral health audit

From New Mexico Telegram: An open government group announced it would sue for the release of a behavioral health audit from the Attorney General’s office as well as the Human Services Department.

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government made the announcement in a Tuesday afternoon press release.

“The audit report was significant enough to cause HSD to suspend Medicaid payments to 15 behavioral health providers in New Mexico,” said Gregory P. Williams, an officer of FOG. “The report is too important to the citizens of New Mexico to be kept from public view, and in our view New Mexico law does not permit it to be withheld. If it is protected as a law enforcement record, the burden is on the Attorney General to show how its release would jeopardize the investigation.”

The group said it was suing through the Inspection of Public Records Act. NM FOG wants for unredacted versions of the audit to be released.

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This is not the first lawsuit seeking a release of the audit.

New Mexico In Depth and the Las Cruces Sun-News previously filed a lawsuit seeking the release. The Las cruces Sun-News is a partner with New Mexico In Depth.

Visit New Mexico Telegram for more.

Please also see Government Advocates File Suit for Secret Behavioral Health Audit from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government.

The New Mexico Foundation for Open Government is a member of NFOIC. –eds

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