New Mexico Governor designates $10 Million for abortion clinic in Doña Ana County

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico -- New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed an Executive Order Wednesday designating $10 Million for the development of a reproductive health center in Doña Ana County that includes abortion services.

In the order, Lujan Grisham says many communities in New Mexico do not currently have adequate access to reproductive health.

She cites how neighboring states have adopted laws that "drastically limit or prohibit access" to abortion and other reproductive health care services.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains says there was a 271% increase in out-of-state abortions in New Mexico after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

"As more states move to restrict and prohibit access to reproductive care, New Mexico will continue to not only protect access to abortion, but to expand and strengthen reproductive health care throughout the state,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham. “Today, I reaffirm my resolve to make sure that women and families in New Mexico – and beyond – are supported at every step of the way.”

She instructs the Department of Finance and Administration to designate the money from the Executive's capital allocation.

Mark Ronchetti, a meteorologist and Republican candidate who is running against Gov. Lujan Grisham for her seat in November, says he is against the order.

"New Mexico was already the abortion capital of the United States, and now taxpayers are having to foot the bill for a clinic which will perform abortions up to the moment of birth for non-residents who come from other states around the country,” Ronchetti said in a news release.

Ronchetti is proposing limiting abortion to the first 15 weeks, or or in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.

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