Alex Valdez, CEO of Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, had a bit of a smile on his face Monday after Santa Fe County commissioners approved $6.6 million in spending so the hospital can provide care to indigent patients next year.

That amount is still below the $8.2 million the hospital says it needs — but a boost from the $5 million the county had discussed last week.

"It's better than a week ago but not as good as we would have hoped," Valdez said. Money was also approved for hospitals in Española and Los Alamos.

The spending level comes after a week of meetings and negotiations that will see Christus take over the county Sobering Center and its 22 employees as a way to bring more integration to the 15-bed drug-and-alcohol treatment center on Galisteo Street.

County Manager Roman Abeyta said the county employees now at the center will join the staff of Christus and tap into its medical expertise and support. "If done right, this could result in an enhancement of this service," he told commissioners.

Still, Valdez said the cuts in health spending — as well as the Dec. 1 state reductions imposed on all New Mexico hospitals for Medicaid services — has a long-term impact on the hospital. He estimated both actions, because of federal matching money, will result in a $10 million loss to the $240 million hospital budget.

There won't be staff cuts, he emphasized, but it remains a challenge to provide care for more patients who have lost jobs and health insurance.

"We're the only growth industry in the community," Valdez said of health care. "We issue 2,000 paychecks every two weeks."

In exchange for the money, county commissioners asked that any advertisements by the hospital include a mention of county tax money. Commissioners also required that a representative of the county attend governing board meetings at the private nonprofit hospital that is part of the faith-based Christus chain. Christus has 40 hospitals as well as clinics and long-term care centers in 60 cities and is obliged to follow Catholic directives.

Valdez said none of the new county requests seem out of line, but he would have to seek approval of the Christus board before finalizing any such agreements.

FUNDS APPROVED

Santa Fe County Sole Community Provider Funds for FY 2011

• Christus St. Vincent, $6.65 million

•  Española Hospital, $113,540

•  Los Alamos Medical Center, $12,712