From Think New Mexico:
Since the session began, New Mexicans like you have sent 10,879 emails to your legislators and the governor through Think New Mexico’s Action Center, with more than half of those urging lawmakers to reform the state’s malpractice laws.
Last night, New Mexico InDepth reported that the dark money group fighting malpractice reforms has been delivering emails to legislators that appear to be from their constituents expressing opposition to House Bill 99 – but when legislators reached out to respond, their constituents said they had never sent those emails.
This deeply disturbing development just underscores how impactful your real voices are in the legislative process – so please continue contacting your legislators!
Opposing a Bad Bill to Repeal the Law Guaranteeing 30% of Lottery Revenues to Student Scholarships
Nearly two decades ago, in 2007, Think New Mexico won passage of legislation requiring the New Mexico Lottery to deliver 30% of revenues to scholarships. Before this law, the Lottery delivered an average of less than 23% per year to scholarships, even though the Lottery was created to “provide the maximum amount of revenues” for full-tuition scholarships at public universities in New Mexico, according to state law.
Unfortunately, on the last day for bill introduction this session, Senate Bill 309 was introduced to repeal this 30% guarantee, replacing it with a requirement that the lottery deliver no less than $45 million a year ($43 million until 2029).
This is a bad deal for students but a very good deal for the large, out-of-state lottery vendors whose profits were reduced when New Mexico began sending a higher percentage of lottery revenues to students.
If Senate Bill 309 were to pass, we calculate that students could lose out on $275 million in scholarship funding by 2050.
Senate Bill 309 has its first hearing this afternoon in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee: please join us in urging your legislators to vote no!
Update on Health Care Reform Bills
The House Judiciary Committee vote on House Bill 99, the medical malpractice reform bill, was postponed until this afternoon – we’ll keep you posted on its progress.
Also before the House Judiciary Committee is a complementary bill, House Bill 195, sponsored by House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski. This bill which would protect the personal assets of independent health care providers.
Majority Leader Szczepanski is also sponsoring House Bill 127, a bill that creates a pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who were trained in other countries. Most doctors who are educated outside the United States are required to complete a U.S-based medical residency before they can be licensed to practice medicine here, even if they have practiced abroad for many years.
As a result, there are many talented doctors who trained in other countries but who are unable to practice medicine here in New Mexico.
House Bill 127 would allow foreign-trained physicians who meet specific qualifications to become licensed in New Mexico without completing a U.S.-based residency. Eighteen states have already enacted similar laws, and that number is growing rapidly, with eight other states currently considering bills.
Think New Mexico recommended this reform in our 2024 report on the health care worker shortage, and we commend Majority Leader Szczepanski for working with the New Mexico Medical Board to develop language that protects patient safety while welcoming doctors from around the world, increasing options for New Mexico patients. Please join us in supporting House Bill 127!
House Bill 66 and Senate Bill 14 to greatly enhance New Mexico’s student loan repayment programs for health care workers both passed their second committees yesterday and are headed to full votes of the House and Senate.
The various tax reform bills for health care workers (including repealing the Gross Receipts Tax on coinsurance; establishing a tax credit for health care preceptors; and expanding the Rural Health Practitioner Tax Credit) all remain under consideration for inclusion in a potential tax package.
Finally, the bills to bring New Mexico into interstate compacts for psychologists, counselors, EMTs, dentists, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists and audiologists all continue to await a hearing in the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.