John Block, House Representative of New Mexico, said that malpractice reform is essential to addressing the state's health care crisis and retaining doctors. The statement was made on X.
"Despite what the chair of the health committee claims, NM's health care crisis is real," said JOHN BLOCK, New Mexico State Representative for 51st District (R). "The ONLY way to begin fixing it is malpractice reform. If NM is bleeding doctors, it doesn't matter how much we pay or incentivize when they have targets on their backs."
New Mexico is currently facing a health care workforce crisis. Lawmakers are debating malpractice reform as hospitals warn that rising insurance costs and legal risks are driving doctors out of the state. Recent proposals aim to cap damages and simplify malpractice cases, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
According to the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee, the state had only 80 primary care physicians per 100,000 people in 2023. Additionally, about 20% of doctors plan to leave or retire within five years, exacerbating rural shortages.
Health Affairs reports that states like Texas with recent malpractice reforms have generally seen growth in physician numbers and improved patient access. However, the effect varies depending on the specifics of each reform.
Block, as reported by Ballotpedia, is a Republican in the New Mexico House for District 51 since 2023. His policy focus includes rural health care, expanding provider access, and advancing malpractice reform.
