Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 128: FIREFIGHTER OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE DISABLEMENT

HB 128 presumes that certain cancers and health conditions diagnosed after specific employment periods are caused by firefighting work, directly affecting full-time non-volunteer firefighters in New Mexico. It lists 17 cancer types (like bladder, breast, lung, and leukemia) that are presumed work-related after 5-15 years of service, along with infectious diseases (e.g., hepatitis) and PTSD requiring physical impairment. The bill shifts the burden of proof: employers must rebut these presumptions with evidence showing non-work causes, and medical treatment for covered conditions must be provided as if work-related. This aims to streamline access to workers' compensation for firefighters facing job-linked health issues without requiring them to prove causation in court.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePresumes work-relatedness of 17 cancers/conditions for firefighters, easing access to healthcare benefits via workers' comp.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPresumes work-related illness for firefighters, shifting burden to employers and expanding workers' comp access for 17 cancers/PTSD, strengthening occupational health protections.95% confidence

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 99: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CHANGES

HB 99 clarifies definitions in New Mexico's Medical Malpractice Act and makes three key changes: it limits punitive damages in malpractice cases, clarifies who qualifies as a "health care provider" (including hospitals, outpatient facilities, and independent doctors), and requires payments from the Patient's Compensation Fund to be made as medical expenses are incurred rather than in lump sums. The bill directly affects health care providers (such as doctors, hospitals, and clinics), insurers, and patients filing malpractice claims. Key mechanisms include updating legal definitions to distinguish between hospital-controlled facilities and independent providers, capping punitive damages (though the exact amount isn't specified in the excerpt), and changing how compensation fund payments are processed. These changes aim to streamline claims handling while clarifying legal responsibilities for medical malpractice cases.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits punitive damages in malpractice cases, restricting patient compensation and weakening patient rights under healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 202: CHILD ADVOCATE OFFICE DATA SHARING

HB 202 requires New Mexico's Children, Youth and Families Department, Health Care Authority, Department of Health, and other state agencies to create a written agreement with the Office of Child Advocate for sharing specific data and system access. The bill mandates that this agreement include security protocols, audit logging, breach plans, and compliance with federal privacy laws like HIPAA and FERPA. It also establishes a working group to develop the agreement by October 2026 and appropriates $75,000 to the Office of Child Advocate for technical support. The law directly affects the Office of Child Advocate and the listed state agencies by structuring how they share sensitive child-related information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates secure data sharing between health agencies and child advocate per HIPAA/FERPA, enhancing coordination for vulnerable children's healthcare access and privacy protection.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates security protocols, audit logging, breach plans, and HIPAA/FERPA compliance, strengthening data privacy protections for child advocate data sharing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 65: CYFD SHORT-TERM STABILIZATION PILOT PGM

HB 65 creates a three-year pilot program in seven New Mexico counties (Dona Ana, Chaves, San Juan, McKinley, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Eddy) to improve stability for children in state custody. It provides in-home or home-like placements with enhanced services - including 24-hour crisis support, weekly therapy, parent training, and monthly family sessions - to reduce placement disruptions. The program prioritizes children with frequent placement history, behavioral health needs, or risk of disruption, and includes specialized incentives for foster homes caring for adolescents, siblings, or those needing short-term stabilization. The state appropriates $2.5 million to fund the program through fiscal year 2029, requiring collaboration between the Children, Youth and Families Department and Health Care Authority.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides weekly therapy and behavioral health services for children in custody, directly supporting mental health care access under healthcare topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 140: MEDICAID PERSONAL CARE SVC. REIMBURSEMENT

SB 140 sets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services in New Mexico: $23.50 per hour for consumer-delegated services (where the agency manages care) and $19.78 per hour for consumer-directed services (where recipients control care). It requires providers receiving Medicaid funds to spend at least 70% of that reimbursement on direct care worker costs, including wages, benefits, training, and supervision. The bill also appropriates $51.4 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to implement these changes. This directly affects personal care service agencies contracted with Medicaid to provide in-home care for individuals needing assistance with daily living activities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $51.4M from general fund to set Medicaid reimbursement rates and mandate 70% spending on direct care workers, directly funding public assistance programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates, mandates 70% spending on direct care costs, and appropriates $51.4M to strengthen personal care services under Medicaid, directly funding and protecting healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates 70% of Medicaid reimbursement funds for direct care worker costs including wages/benefits, directly advancing worker compensation in personal care services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Long-Term Care Medicaid

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in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 90: HEALTH CARE PRECEPTOR INCOME TAX CREDIT

HB 90 creates a $1,000 annual income tax credit for licensed health care professionals in New Mexico who provide unpaid clinical training (preceptorships) to graduate students seeking eligible health care degrees. It directly affects licensed doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other health professionals who mentor students at New Mexico colleges or universities. To qualify, preceptors must complete at least 120 hours of training under an accredited institution, with the credit requiring institution certification and applying only to the year of service. Unused portions of the credit can be carried forward to future tax years. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and targets health care education support rather than broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 annual income tax credit for health care preceptors, directly providing tax relief under taxation policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax credit to incentivize healthcare preceptors, strengthening workforce development and training for future professionals in healthcare education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 20: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

SB 20 would change how health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers handle prior authorization for prescription drugs in New Mexico. It prohibits requiring prior authorization for medications treating serious mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder), ensuring patients can access these drugs without delays. For drugs managing chronic conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), the bill limits prior authorization reviews to once every three years instead of more frequent checks. The law also requires the state insurance office to standardize the process, create a uniform form for requests, and monitor compliance to prevent unnecessary delays in care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prior auth for mental health meds & limits reviews for chronic conditions, improving patient access to essential treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Prescription Drugs

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 224: MEDICAL CARE EXPENSES TAX DEDUCTION

HB 224 expands New Mexico's tax deduction for unreimbursed medical expenses to apply to all taxpayers, regardless of income level - replacing previous income-based limits. It establishes tiered deduction rates (10%, 15%, or 25% of eligible medical costs) based on filing status and adjusted gross income, with lower-income taxpayers receiving higher percentages. Eligible expenses include doctor visits, prescriptions, medical insurance premiums, and other health care costs as defined in the bill. The law takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for medical expenses with tiered rates favoring lower-income taxpayers, providing targeted tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax deduction for medical expenses to all taxpayers, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 94: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OFFENDER TREATMENT PGM.

SB 94 requires individuals convicted of specific domestic violence offenses - including assault, battery, and related crimes under New Mexico law - to complete a domestic violence offender treatment program approved by the Children, Youth and Families Department. The bill applies directly to people sentenced for offenses listed in Sections 30-3-12 through 30-3-16 of the state code, such as assault against a household member or aggravated battery. Key provisions mandate treatment participation upon conviction and specify that violating probation terms (e.g., failing treatment) allows courts to impose the full original sentence without counting time served on probation. The bill aims to address domestic violence through structured intervention while tightening consequences for probation violations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates domestic violence offenders complete treatment programs, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism - key criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates domestic violence offenders to complete approved mental health treatment program, subject includes HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime Substance Abuse

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in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 173: EXPAND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE TYPES

SB 173 expands the types of medical malpractice insurance health care providers in New Mexico can use to meet qualification requirements under the Medical Malpractice Act. It directly affects hospitals, outpatient facilities, and independent providers by removing the current limitation that restricted them to only claims-made or occurrence-based policies. The key provision amends Section 41-5-5 to allow providers to qualify using "any form of malpractice insurance" instead of the previous two options. This change simplifies insurance choices for providers without altering coverage amounts or financial responsibility rules. The bill does not change existing requirements for minimum coverage ($250,000 per claim for most providers) or surcharges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands provider insurance options under Medical Malpractice Act, removing restrictions to improve access to care and support healthcare providers' qualification requirements.95% confidence

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