HOUSE DEMOCRATS NEWS RELEASE

Legislation helps create a more welcoming climate for doctors and improves legislative oversight for healthcare agencies and programs

Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed three more pieces of legislation to expand healthcare access and improve the climate for doctors in the state. 

House Bill 195 would protect the personal income and assets of insured healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases, by prohibiting collection of these personal assets as part of a judgement. The bill passed the House unanimously. 

“I’ve heard from many providers who are worried that they could lose all they have worked for through a medical malpractice lawsuit. This legislation maintains the path to justice for patients who may be harmed in the course of care, and also sends a clear message to our doctors: you never have to fear losing your home, your retirement savings, or your kid’s college fund as a result of a medical malpractice case,” said lead sponsor House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). “House Democrats are advancing dozens of bills and investments to improve access to health care and provider recruitment, this is an important part of that effort.” 

HB 195 is also sponsored by Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque). The bill, along with House Bill 99 which has also passed the House, help create a more welcoming and supportive climate for doctors and healthcare providers in the state. 

The House also passed Senate Bill 30, to repeal an antiquated state statute requiring that abortions performed in New Mexico be reported to the state registrar. According to the Healthcare Authority (HCA), physicians have been increasingly harassed for providing such reproductive care and the current tracking requirement may deter providers from practice here, given the increased risks. The HCA points out that there is also no valid reason for collecting and maintaining this data, especially because reports could be used against providers. 

SB 30 passed the House by a 39-27 vote, and now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque), Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Senators Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo) and Angel Charley (D-Acoma).

Additionally, the House passed House Bill 287 to make the Legislative Health and Human Services a permanent committee, like the Legislative Finance Committee and Legislative Education Study Committee. This would include expanding the number of lawmakers on the committee, hiring a permanent director and year-round staff, and enhancing the committee’s oversight of agencies, programs, and policies that impact the health and well-being of New Mexicans. 

“As our federal government cuts funding for critical healthcare services, the state of New Mexico is taking on an increasingly important role in keeping healthcare affordable and accessible,” said HB 287’s lead sponsor and Chair of both the House and interim Health and Human Services Committees Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque). “Making Legislative Health and Human services a permanent committee will ensure New Mexicans get the dedicated, year round support they deserve for their critical healthcare needs.”

HB 287 passed by a vote of 42-23, and now heads to the Senate. It is also sponsored by House Speaker Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque), Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D-Las Cruces), and Leader Reena Szczepanski. 

House Democrats’ comprehensive agenda to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare this session includes legislation and investments to improve access to care, lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, recruit and retain providers, and create a welcoming climate for healthcare professionals. A select list of House Democrats’ key healthcare priorities 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 introduced by House Democrats this session includes: 

• Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs by eliminating excessive facility fees (HB 306*) and expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families (HB 4*, HB 2*)
• Decreasing health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff, so they can keep more of their hard-earned money (HB 47)*
• Growing a strong healthcare workforce by doubling the size of the UNM Medical School (HB 2)*
• Creating a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians, improving the expedited licensure process for all providers coming to New Mexico, and expanding telehealth options (HB 127)*
• Investing heavily in provider recruitment and retention, including expanding the state’s loan repayment program (HB 66*, HB 2*) and offsetting the cost of training for residents (HB 2*), 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*, HB 195*)
• Protecting the information of reproductive healthcare providers and improving the climate for them to practice in the state, by removing reporting requirements (SB 30)*
• Making the Legislative Health and Human Services a permanent, year-round committee, like the LFC and LESC, to provide more comprehensive oversight of agencies, programs, and policies impacting the health of New Mexicans (HB 287)*
• 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* 

*Indicates legislation has passed the House