William E. Sharer, New Mexico State Senator from 1st District | www.nmlegis.gov
William "Bill" Sharer, the Senate Republican Leader for the New Mexico State Senate, has attributed rising insurance rates and the loss of healthcare providers in New Mexico to trial lawyers and Democrat-aligned groups. This statement was made in a press release.
"New Mexico, when you can't get in to see a healthcare specialist or are faced with longer and longer wait times to visit your family doctor, you'll know who to blame: radical progressive trial attorneys in the State Senate and the deep-pocketed Democrat shadow organizations who defend them," said William "Bill" E. Sharer, New Mexico State Senator from 1st District (R). "As Republicans, we have been fighting to support our state's vital healthcare providers, who are fleeing New Mexico due to sky-high insurance rates resulting from the actions of these profit-driven trial lawyers. The legal action brought by the Ethics Commission sheds light on just how powerful a machine we are up against. Progressive Democrats in Santa Fe will stop at nothing to protect their trial attorney friends instead of everyday New Mexicans hoping to access the quality healthcare they need and deserve."
On June 16, 2025, the New Mexico State Ethics Commission filed a lawsuit against New Mexico Safety Over Profit. The commission alleges that the organization violated the Campaign Reporting Act by failing to disclose its contributors or expenditures while lobbying on medical malpractice legislation during the 2025 legislative session. The commission's press release indicates that these actions are alleged to have undermined transparency requirements under state law.
William “Bill” Sharer, Minority Floor Leader for the New Mexico Senate
| New Mexico Legislature
The American Medical Association (AMA) reports that the United States is facing a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Contributing factors include a growing and aging population as well as an aging physician workforce nearing retirement. The AMA says that without congressional action, shortages will continue to increase and impact patient care.
A report from Think New Mexico in 2024 found that 32 of New Mexico’s 33 counties are designated as primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas. The report notes that New Mexico ranks 49th among states in access to healthcare professionals per capita. Persistent shortages have led to increased wait times and reduced availability of medical services statewide.
According to his website, Sharer is a former U.S. Army officer and business owner who has represented Farmington in the New Mexico State Senate since 2000. A graduate of New Mexico Military Institute and New Mexico State University (NMSU), he currently serves on the Corporations & Transportation and Conservation committees.
