State Rep. Rebecca Dow said New Mexico's workforce crisis is exacerbated by paid family medical leave, as overregulation leads to a shortage of qualified workers, such as nurses and social workers to replace those on leave. Dow was a guest on a recent episode of the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast.
"But we are also in a workforce crisis," said Dow on the Tipping Point New Mexico podcast. “When a social worker is out, especially with behavioral health being a priority in this session, there is no other psychiatrist, social worker, or nurse. These practitioners do not exist in excess to fill the gap.”
“We are so overregulated that when a nurse is out on paid family medical leave, there is no other qualified nurse to take their place,” said Dow. “This is going to cause inflation. It will cost consumers more and drive up the cost of goods.”
The Paid Family and Medical Leave Act establishes a program to provide paid leave for employees to bond with a new child, care for a family member, handle military deployment, or address certain forms of violence. Beginning January 1, 2028, eligible applicants who have filed an approved claim and made the required contributions will receive compensation for the leave under the program.
Dow represents Grant, Hidalgo, and Sierra counties as a Republican politician. She previously served as a state representative before reclaiming her seat in House District 38 in 2024.
Tipping Point New Mexico is a podcast hosted by Paul Gessing and Wally Drangmeister of the Rio Grande Foundation, focusing on public policy issues in New Mexico. The podcast is a project of the Rio Grande Foundation, a research institute promoting individual freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity.
This full episode is available on the Tipping Point New Mexico website and YouTube.
