MEDICAL MALPRACTICE ACT CHANGES

HB 378 would cap non-medical compensation (excluding medical expenses and punitive damages) at $600,000 for most medical malpractice claims in New Mexico, and $750,000 for claims against "independent providers" (like solo practitioners or non-hospital-affiliated clinics), with annual inflation adjustments starting in 2023. It redefines "occurrence" to cover all claims from a single patient's harm, regardless of how many health care providers were involved. The bill also requires payments from the Patient's Compensation Fund to be made as expenses are incurred, rather than in lump sums. These changes would directly affect patients filing malpractice claims and the health care providers, facilities, and insurers they sue.