Stefani Lord, a house representative from New Mexico, said that Democrats have blocked reforms to a medical malpractice law, resulting in doctors losing insurance and clinics facing closure. The statement was made on the social media platform X.
"You need to listen to this New Mexico Doctor who can't renew his insurance," said Lord, New Mexico State Representative for 22nd District (R). "Exactly what I said would happen back in 2023. A sad day for health care. Democrats stopped a bill, dead in its tracks, to fix a medical malpractice bill they passed years ago that will force independent clinics to close up shop because they can't get insurance in New Mexico. Can't find a doctor? Blame a Democrat."
New Mexico has revised its Medical Malpractice Act several times in recent years. Notably, in 2023, lawmakers set a $1 million cap for independent outpatient facilities under Senate Bill 523. In 2025, hospitals, trial lawyers, and advocacy groups continued to debate reforms concerning costs and attorney fees. According to Searchlight New Mexico, there are concerns that high premiums could exacerbate provider shortages.
Malpractice insurance premiums in New Mexico remain elevated across key specialties. MedPLI reports that estimates for 2025 show annual premiums of $52,000 for orthopedic surgery (non-spine), $31,000 for diagnostic radiology, $21,000 for pediatrics, and $14,000 for psychiatry. These rates highlight the financial burden on physicians and underscore the importance of affordable coverage in ongoing reform discussions.
Comparative national research indicates that malpractice caps can affect physician supply. A study published by Health Affairs analyzed all U.S. counties between 1985 and 2000 and found that states with noneconomic damage caps had 2.2% more doctors per capita overall and 3.2% more in rural counties compared to states without caps. This suggests that such caps may help alleviate physician shortages.
Lord is a Republican representative for District 22 in the New Mexico House, serving Bernalillo and Torrance counties since 2021. She is a member of the Land Grant and Radioactive & Hazardous Materials committees and advises several others including Courts, Corrections & Justice and Economic & Rural Development. Her legislative focus includes justice, land use, and public safety as reported by the New Mexico Legislature.
