New Mexico Media Argues Non-Disclosure of Health Care Audit Sets a 'Terrifying' Precedent

The New Mexico Human Services Department is citing a law enforcement exception to that state's public records law as the reason it doesn't have to disclose an audit of 15 health-care providers; the audit was passed onto law enforcement, New Mexico In Depth reports. The lawyer for two New Mexico media outlets is arguing in court that this situation could set a "terrifying" precedent because it would "enable government officials to keep otherwise public documents from the public simply by passing them on to law enforcement agencies."