Rep. Joseph Sanchez. D-Alcalde

LEGISLATION NEWS

Rep. Joseph Sanchez, D-Alcalde, has introduced legislation to tackle New Mexico’s chronic shortage of health care providers. The Medical Recruitment Provider Trust Bill would ensure that every New Mexican has access to medical care through either a doctor, nurse practitioner or a physician assistant.

Many New Mexico residents struggle to access basic health care because of a shortage of doctors, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses and midwives, especially in rural areas, and because high student loan debt discourages providers from practicing in lower-paying or rural areas.

The legislation helps solve these workforce shortages by creating a sustainable, long-term physician and advanced practice provider recruitment system. It establishes a permanent trust fund, expands and stabilizes loan repayment and loan-for-service programs, and strategically targets underserved and rural communities.

“New Mexico’s rural areas – and really all of New Mexico – are health care deserts,” said Sanchez, a member of the Legislative Finance Committee. “I am introducing this bill to improve access to health care professionals and to help these young professionals graduate with less debt. This will help rebuild New Mexico’s medical establishment.”

The bill tackles these challenges by pairing financial incentives with long-term funding stability.

The legislation:
● Establishes the Medical Provider Recruitment Trust Fund in the state treasury
● Capitalizes the fund with a proposed $50 million general fund transfer
● Uses a 5% annual distribution model based on a rolling three-year average – similar to
other responsible public trust models
● Requires regular reporting to the Legislature and finance committees
● Helps physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses pay for medical
education and repay existing student loans in exchange for service in underserved New
Mexico communities