The state of New Mexico won't be relying on the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center and its $200 million in reserves for help covering Medicaid funding.
The Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal reports that UNM refused a request to give $50 million to New Mexico's Human Services Department to help with Medicaid.
UNM executive vice president David Harris says university officials heard the request at a meeting in mid-February.
He says the state indicated it could not guarantee repayment.
Human Services Department spokesman Kyler Nerison confirmed the meeting with the university but declined to comment further.
According to Harris, it's not unusual for the state to ask the university for financial assistance.
The state says the department is $86 million short of its projected need for the next 15 months.
