Healthcare

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 12: PHYSICIAN TAX CREDIT

This bill creates a $4,000 tax credit for New Mexico physicians who provide at least 1,584 hours of healthcare in the state annually. To qualify, physicians must apply for certification through the Department of Health and meet the hour requirement. Unused portions of the credit can be carried forward for up to three years. The credit applies to licensed medical and osteopathic physicians starting with tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $4,000 tax credit for physicians, providing direct tax relief under taxation policy per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides $4,000 tax credit to physicians meeting healthcare hour requirements, incentivizing increased patient care access and provider retention in New Mexico's healthcare system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 186: NO USE OF SNAP FOR SOFT DRINKS & CANDY

SB 186 prohibits New Mexico SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries from using federal benefits to purchase sweetened drinks or candy. The bill defines "candy" as sugar-based products (like bars or pieces) and "sweetened drink" as nonalcoholic beverages with 5g+ added sugar or artificial sweeteners (excluding milk, soy milk, or drinks with 50%+ fruit/vegetable juice). It directly affects SNAP recipients in New Mexico who would no longer be able to use benefits for these specific items. The bill amends the Public Assistance Act to implement this restriction, pending further legislative action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts SNAP purchases of unhealthy foods to promote public health, aligning with healthcare's public health component as defined in bill subjects.80% confidence

Track

in committee · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 159: GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION ENTITY COSTS

SB 159 requires the University of New Mexico's Board of Regents to provide $27 million in state funds over fiscal years 2027-2029 to cover unreimbursed costs for eligible healthcare facilities hosting medical residency programs. Eligible entities include federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, independent psychiatric facilities, and critical access hospitals that sponsor accredited residency programs in New Mexico. The funding covers resident salaries, supervising physician costs, accreditation, and program administration, with priority given to New Mexico residents. Unspent funds by the end of 2029 will revert to the state general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $27M state funds over 2027-2029 for healthcare residency programs, increasing public service funding per Budget & Taxes criteria.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $27M state funds to cover residency program costs at healthcare facilities, directly supporting medical training infrastructure and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 129: HEALTH CARE PROVIDER COVERAGE

HB 129 requires New Mexico health insurance carriers to include all licensed health care providers (such as doctors, therapists, and specialists) within their legal scope of practice in coverage plans. It applies to group health plans, individual insurance policies, health maintenance organizations, and nonprofit health plans, effective July 1, 2026. The bill does not force insurers to contract with specific providers but mandates that if a provider is licensed to practice in New Mexico, they must be included in coverage plans. Insurers may still set different reimbursement rates based on quality or performance measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers cover all licensed providers within scope, expanding patient access to healthcare services by requiring inclusion in coverage plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Insurance Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 87: SOTERIA MODEL RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FUNDING

HB 87 appropriates $1 million from the state general fund to the Health Care Authority for fiscal year 2027. The funding is specifically for an organization in Dona Ana County that provides long-term residential treatment using the Soteria model, which serves individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and psychosis. The bill requires the funds to cover residential treatment services only and mandates that any unspent balance at year-end reverts to the general fund. This is a direct funding mechanism targeting mental health care access in a specific community setting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for mental health treatment program, directly funding public services under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1M for Soteria model mental health residential treatment, directly funding specialized care for serious mental illness per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 24: PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACT

HB 24 creates a program offering home purchase loans to licensed healthcare professionals in New Mexico, including nurses, doctors, dentists, therapists, and social workers. The New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority will provide loans covering up to 10% of a home’s purchase price to qualified professionals who agree to practice in the state for 10 years at 75% or more of full-time employment. A lien on the home remains for 10 years, and early departure requires repayment of 100% (first 5 years), 50% (5-7 years), or 25% (7-10 years) of the loan amount. The program is funded by a $5 million appropriation from the general fund for fiscal years 2026-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds through Mortgage Finance Authority for healthcare recruitment loans, representing targeted budget expenditure to retain professionals in essential public health roles.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides home purchase loans to retain healthcare professionals, directly addressing workforce shortages and strengthening healthcare delivery in New Mexico.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides state-funded home purchase loans (up to 10% of price) to healthcare professionals, increasing housing affordability for a targeted group through financial assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Healthcare Workforce Homeownership Mortgages

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 159: K-12 STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH PLATFORM

HB 159 establishes a two-year pilot program using $1 million in state funds to provide free, evidence-based mental health support for K-12 students and families in New Mexico. The program will offer mental health education, self-management tools, and care navigation services through a dedicated platform. It requires the Public Education Department to contract implementation services and submit an impact report to the legislative education committee by 2028. The bill directly affects all public school students and families in New Mexico, with funding limited to fiscal years 2027-2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1M state funds for mental health pilot, directly increasing public education spending as a funded essential program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1M for K-12 mental health support via dedicated platform, directly enhancing student well-being and educational access within public schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides $1M for K-12 mental health services, directly advancing healthcare access through state-funded support for evidence-based care and navigation services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

passed · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 10: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT INTERSTATE COMPACT

HB 10 establishes the Physician Assistant Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing physician assistants (PAs) licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without needing separate licenses. It requires states to mutually recognize PAs' licenses and mandates that PAs practice under the jurisdiction of the state where the patient is located at the time of care. The compact specifically benefits military families by enabling active-duty personnel and their spouses to use their home state license in other participating states, while states retain authority to take disciplinary action against PAs for safety concerns. This eliminates licensing barriers for PAs working across state lines while maintaining patient safety standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for physician assistants, improving healthcare access for military families and patients by removing licensure barriers without restricting coverage or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 76: ALTERNATIVE PLACEMENT OF YOUTH IN CUSTODY

HB 76 appropriates $10 million from the general fund to the New Mexico Health Care Authority for fiscal years 2027-2029 to fund alternative placements for youth in state custody. The bill directs funding toward developing services like residential treatment centers, crisis response teams, specialized foster care, and outpatient programs, aiming to replace group living (congregate care) with more tailored support. It directly affects youth in state custody - particularly older youth and those with higher needs - and the service providers who will deliver these alternatives. The funding expires in 2029, with unused balances reverting to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $10M from general fund for youth services, directly increasing state spending on public programs per budget/fiscal management topic.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds alternatives to congregate care for youth in custody, promoting rehabilitation and reducing institutional reliance - directly advancing juvenile justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds mental health services (residential treatment, crisis teams) via Health Care Authority to replace congregate care for youth, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Juvenile Justice

Track

in committee · New Mexico · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 42: FROZEN FOOD FOR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES

HB 42 allocates $200,000 from the general fund to New Mexico's Aging and Long-Term Services Department for fiscal year 2027. The funds will contract with providers to supply frozen food, including medically tailored meals, to communities facing high food insecurity, limited healthy food access, and populations with medical conditions requiring special diets. The bill directly affects vulnerable residents in these underserved communities by improving access to nutritious, condition-specific food options. Any unspent funds at year-end will revert to the general fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $200k from general fund to fund food assistance for vulnerable communities, directly increasing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $200k for medically tailored meals addressing medical dietary needs, improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations with health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track