Los Alamos Reporter

House Advances 10 Bills To Expand Access To Quality, Affordable Healthcare

HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed seven bills today that would expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate healthcare compacts, which allow states to expedite licensing for qualified healthcare providers who wish to practice in multiple states. 

“By joining interstate compacts, New Mexico can expand access to vital healthcare services –  from counseling and physical therapy to emergency medical services and dentistry – all across the state,” said Representative Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), lead sponsor of five of the compact bills and serves as Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. 

Participation in interstate compacts is one important piece of the House Democrats’ wide-ranging platform to improve access to high-quality, affordable healthcare throughout the state. In 2025, the House unanimously passed seven compact bills, but they died in the Senate. Lawmakers are hopeful these bills have the support in both chambers to get across the finish line this year. 

This morning, the House Health and Human Services Committee also passed several important healthcare bills. House Bill 4, which passed the committee by a vote of 8-2, would help keep marketplace insurance premiums affordable for New Mexicans, after congressional Republicans allowed a key federal tax credit to expire causing premiums to skyrocket. House Bill 68, which passed 7-3, would help address the state’s provider shortage by offering incentives for New Mexicans working in healthcare to return to the state. House Bill 90, which passed unanimously, would create a personal income tax credit for healthcare and social work providers who mentor aspiring students in their field.

House Democrats are also pushing forward legislation and investments to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, recruit and retain providers, and make targeted changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws to protect both patients and healthcare practitioners. 

“Our caucus has a comprehensive agenda to ensure that quality healthcare is affordable and accessible statewide, and that our doctors and providers know they are valued,” said Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). “No one should have to wait months or travel out-of-state to see a doctor, so we’re proposing a robust slate of legislation to help New Mexico build a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining providers.” 

A select list of House Democrats’ key healthcare priorities, including the seven compact bills now headed to the House Floor, is below. 

The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year’s 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.   

Select Healthcare Priorities 

A non-comprehensive list of healthcare investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes: 

  • Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs by expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families (HB 4, HB 2)
  • Growing a strong healthcare workforce by doubling the size of the UNM Medical School (HB 2)
  • Creating a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians (HB 127)
  • Investing heavily in provider recruitment and retention (HB 68), including expanding the state’s loan repayment program, offsetting the cost of training for residents, and expanding the Rural Healthcare Practitioner Tax Credit
  • Making targeted changes to medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for doctors and providers (HB 99)
  • Creating a personal income tax credit for healthcare providers mentoring aspiring students in their field (HB 90)
  • Improving access to healthcare by joining interstate medical compacts
    • HB 10: Physician Assistant Interstate Compact 
    • HB 11: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact
    • HB 12: Physical Therapy Licensure Compact 
    • HB 13: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact 
    • HB 14: Dental and Dentist Hygienist Compact
    • HB 31: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact
    • HB 32: Counseling Licensure Compact 
    • HB 33: Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact 
    • HB 50: Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact
    • SB 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act