Jeff Steinborn, a New Mexico State Senator, emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation and targeted policy changes to address medical malpractice and recruit healthcare providers to New Mexico. This statement was made during an interview on New Mexico Suncast on March 5.
"It's really important we start to understand the dollars and cents of medicine and create a competitive environment here," said Steinborn, according to YouTube. "It takes six months to get a doctor's appointment because we're not retaining enough healthcare providers. I would like people to continue conversations about malpractice and see if there are tweaks that we can make."
According to Steinborn, Senate Bill 295 represents a bipartisan effort aimed at eliminating the gross receipts tax on medical providers. "This can be such a great impact for all of our communities around the state," he said. He noted that collaboration with organizations like the Doña Ana Medical Society and fellow legislators has been crucial in addressing New Mexico’s doctor shortage. On the topic of medical malpractice, Steinborn supported continued discussions, stating, "We need to improve our climate for practicing medicine here... it’s a vital interest to the whole state."
SearchLight New Mexico reports that New Mexico holds the second-highest rate of medical malpractice suits per capita in the United States, following Pennsylvania. This high litigation rate contributes to increased malpractice insurance premiums and challenges in retaining healthcare providers.
The American Medical Association (AMA) indicates that in 2022, one-third (33.3%) of medical liability premiums in New Mexico experienced double-digit increases. This reflects a persistent rise in malpractice insurance costs for healthcare providers. This trend, now in its fourth consecutive year, adds to the financial burden on doctors and potentially impacts physician retention and patient access to care. As medical professionals face growing expenses, policymakers continue to debate solutions to create a more sustainable healthcare environment in the state.
According to his website, Steinborn has served as a New Mexico State Senator since 2016 and has led efforts in ethics reform, outdoor recreation, film incentives, and environmental protection initiatives such as the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
