E-mail your news and comments. (newsguy@yahoo.com)
Interested in reaching New Mexico's most informed audience? Advertise here.
Tuesday, September 23, 2025Dem Guv Candidate Bregman Supports Bill To Let Out Of State Doctors And Other Healthcare Workers Practice Here; Trial Lawyers May Be Softening Opposition But MLG Says No Deal Struck With Key Dem Senators To Put It On Special Session Agenda The question surfaced again after '26 Dem Guv candidate Sam Bregman last week released his Blueprint for New Mexico. He said, if elected, he would support the state adopting interstate health compacts that would allow doctors and other medical practitioners outside New Mexico to see patients here. Bregman is now the BernCo District Attorney, but previously he was a high-profile trial lawyer. His support for the state signing on to the compacts comes amid talk that the NM Trial Lawyers Association, many of whose members support a PAC to fight medical malpractice reforms, apparently is no longer opposed to the compacts. That could make the moment ripe for Gov. Lujan Grisham to get the proposal before the special session of the legislature that she has called for October 1. MLG said Monday she would put the issue on the special session agenda if legislative leadership agreed but they don't. That kicks it to the regular session in January. That word comes from Fred Nathan of Think New Mexico that has been advocating for the proposal. The trial lawyers have been concerned that compacts shields the commissions running them from lawsuits, which endangers accountability. Their critics say they are more worried about losing their shot at big settlements. 43 other sates have already signed off on various compacts. ROUNDHOUSE STALL State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe Cervantes, a trial attorney, has been adamant in his opposition to the compacts and has stalled them after they cleared the House unanimously. He teamed with fellow trial attorney and ABQ Dem Senator Katy Duhigg to pile on amendments. At the last session 10 medical compacts were considered that would have opened the state's doors to doctors, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, dentists and more. Cervantes did not respond to an inquiry to determine if his stance has changed. Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, also a trial attorney, said the issue should wait until January: We need the time to examine how interstate compacts would interact with New Mexico’s existing laws and ensure that any changes truly serve the long-term interests of providers and patients.  The state has taken measures to allow more out of state physicians access but compact proponents say it is nowhere near enough and that it is long overdue for the state to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact that allows medical practitioners licensed in other states to practice here. The doctor shortage is most severe in rural areas. The compacts, supporters say, could see border communities attract more doctors to provide care. Examples include doctors going from Durango to Farmington and from El Paso to Las Cruces. Trial lawyers have also been fighting against medical malpractice insurance reforms. They may be willing to offer the compacts as a compromise as their standing with the public comes under pressure. At least that's the buzz that is building. But the Governor and Cervantes working together seems critical to pushing the compacts over the line, As for malpractice reform, in his blueprint Bregman does not embrace it, saying there is "no silver bullet" for the doctor shortage. However, he does propose tax credits for physicians facing escalating insurance premiums for malpractice coverage. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
 
Links
Archives
|