Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 202: PHYSICIAN GRADUATE ED. TRUST FUND

SB 202 creates two funds to support physician training in New Mexico: a $100 million Physician Graduate Medical Education Trust Fund (to be invested and managed) and an $8 million Physician Graduate Medical Education Program Fund (to directly support training). Starting in 2027, the program fund will receive annual distributions from the trust fund and use $8 million over two years to specifically aid medical training programs in rural and underserved areas. This includes up to $2.5 million annually for programs developing accreditation applications, $0.5 million for newly accredited programs, and $1 million for established programs. The bill ensures these funds remain available for their intended purpose without reverting to the trust fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $100M trust fund and $8M program to fund physician training in underserved areas, directly increasing state budget allocation for healthcare education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100M trust fund and $8M program fund for physician training, specifically targeting rural/underserved areas to expand healthcare workforce access.95% confidence

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HM 4: STUDY HIGHER ED HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS

This procedural memorial (HM 4) requests the Legislative Finance Committee to study health insurance access for public higher education educators and graduate student employees across New Mexico's public universities. The study will examine current coverage gaps - such as UNM being the only institution providing employer-funded medical insurance for graduate students - and evaluate options for expanding medical, dental, and vision coverage, including fiscal impacts and workforce effects, with a report due by October 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequests study to expand health coverage for higher ed educators and grad students, directly supporting educator benefits and addressing coverage gaps in public universities.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly requests study to evaluate expanding medical/dental/vision coverage for educators and grad students, aiming to address current insurance gaps and improve access.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill requests study to examine gaps in health insurance for graduate student employees (a labor group) and evaluate options for expanding medical/dental/vision coverage, indicating intent to improve workers' benefits and address coverage gaps.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Insurance

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 10: HEALTH TRAINING CORPS

SB 10 creates New Mexico's Health Training Corps within the Department of Health to address healthcare shortages in underserved areas. The bill establishes a stipend program paying experienced health professionals $100 per hour (max $10,000 annually) for training health students and newly licensed providers at designated health training sites. It appropriates $3 million for the program to recruit preceptors, cover stipends, and provide support, with funds remaining available year-to-year. The initiative directly affects preceptors, health professional students, and newly licensed providers working in underserved communities, prioritizing behavioral health, primary care, and obstetrics/gynecology services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $3M for stipends to train health professionals in underserved areas, directly addressing healthcare shortages through funding and program expansion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Primary Care

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 241: MEDICAL MALPRACTICE COURT NOTICES

HB 241 requires New Mexico courts to notify the Medical Board when physicians are named as defendants in malpractice lawsuits, including dismissals or amendments removing a physician. It extends the period the Medical Board can temporarily suspend a physician's license without a hearing and mandates the Board to post all active malpractice claims, related payments, and disciplinary actions on its website. Hospitals and healthcare entities must report malpractice settlements exceeding $1 million to the Board. This bill directly affects physicians facing lawsuits, the Medical Board, courts, and healthcare providers required to submit reporting data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in malpractice cases and expedites disciplinary actions to protect patient safety through public reporting of claims and settlements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 94: BOARD OF OPTOMETRY POWERS AND DUTIES

HB 94 amends New Mexico's Optometry Act to expand optometrists' scope of practice regarding specific laser procedures and strengthen the Board of Optometry's authority. It directly affects optometrists seeking to perform laser treatments for eye conditions like capsular clouding or glaucoma (e.g., laser trabeculoplasty), requiring them to obtain board credentialing. Key provisions establish two pathways for credentialing: graduating from an accredited optometry program with a national exam pass, or completing a 32-hour accredited training course plus supervised live-patient practice under an ophthalmologist or certified optometrist. The bill also clarifies the Board's role in enforcing these rules, issuing advisory opinions, and managing licensure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope for laser eye treatments, improving patient access to specialized care. Strengthens board authority to credential providers, advancing healthcare service delivery.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 4: MEDICAL RESIDENT & FELLOW SALARIES

SB 4 appropriates $2 million from the general fund to the Health Care Authority for Medicaid-directed payments to the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. This funding directly increases salaries for graduate medical education residents and fellows at UNM. The bill specifies that unspent funds by the end of fiscal year 2027 must revert to the general fund. The measure focuses solely on providing state funding to support resident and fellow compensation through the Medicaid program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2M from general fund for medical resident salaries, directly increasing state spending on healthcare education through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $2M to increase Medicaid-directed salaries for medical residents/fellows at UNM, directly boosting healthcare workforce compensation through state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

Track

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 3: COMMITMENT PROCEDURE CHANGES & DEFINITIONS

SB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies mental health commitment criteria to prevent unnecessary criminal justice involvement, aligning with reform goals like diversion from courts.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies mental health commitment criteria to improve patient access and treatment eligibility under defined harm scenarios.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

signed · New Mexico · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 50: SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE INTERSTATE COMPACT

HB 50 creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing licensed social workers to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. It establishes a "multistate license" system where a social worker's home state license authorizes practice in all compact states, using a shared data system to track licenses and any restrictions. To join, states must require national exams, meet education standards, and have complaint systems in place. The bill directly affects licensed social workers seeking to work in multiple states and their home state licensing authorities, streamlining practice across state lines while maintaining oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill removes licensing barriers for social workers across states, improving access to mental health services (a healthcare component) and supporting healthcare workforce mobility without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 11: NURSE LOAN REPAYMENT ACT

SB 11, the Nurse Loan Repayment Act, creates a state fund to repay student loans for New Mexico nurses working in designated underserved areas or as nursing educators. It directly affects licensed registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who commit to four years of service in areas identified by the state as lacking sufficient nursing staff. The program provides up to $35,000 in total loan repayment ($7,500 annually for two years and $10,000 for the next two), with payments made directly to lenders. Nurses must meet eligibility criteria (NM license, U.S. citizenship/permanent residency, and service in designated areas or as faculty/preceptors), and non-compliance requires repayment of the award plus 15% interest. The bill excludes state loan-for-service programs, scholarships, and personal loans from eligibility.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds loan repayment for nursing educators (post-secondary) via state program, directly supporting educator retention in underserved areas under EDUCATION subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nurse retention in underserved areas, improving healthcare access and workforce stability through loan repayment incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 66: HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL LOAN FUND CHANGES

HB 66 updates New Mexico's health professional loan repayment program. It creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients of loan repayment awards, replacing the previous commission. The bill requires applicants to be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or to agree to relocate and begin practice there. The Higher Education Department will determine award amounts and administer the program, with new criteria for selecting applicants and allowing fees if recipients breach their service agreements. This affects health professionals seeking repayment for education loans in exchange for practicing in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates loan repayment program for health professionals, strengthening workforce retention and access to care in New Mexico.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce