Ant Thornton, a state senator, said that New Mexico’s current liability climate inflates premiums and claim volumes and should be rebalanced to keep doctors practicing in the state. The statement was made on X.
"Like many of you, I am fed up with the trial attorneys refusing to take responsibility for the proliferation of punitive lawsuits against our medical community for the purpose of lining their own pockets," said Thornton, State Senator (R–NM), Ph.D.. "Insurance premiums for hospitals and doctors have risen by 60% in the last 4 years and New Mexico has 140% more claims against physicians than our surrounding states. Hence, New Mexico has become a money haven for trial attorneys to litigate cases. If you can't get in to see a doctor in a timely fashion, blame the trial attorneys in our state legislature."
New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Act has been the focus of multiple updates since 2021. House Bill 75, titled "Clarifying and Modernizing the Medical Malpractice Act," passed in March 2021 as part of a broader effort to adjust definitions and damage caps while maintaining access to the patient compensation fund. Subsequent debates have centered on how caps apply to hospitals and certain clinics, as well as the downstream effects on insurance availability and cost for providers. These issues continue to shape legislative negotiations.
Recent headlines have underscored the scale of New Mexico malpractice awards. In November 2024, an Albuquerque jury awarded more than $412 million in compensatory and punitive damages against a men’s health clinic after finding fraudulent and negligent conduct—one of the largest malpractice verdicts in the U.S. While individual cases vary, outsized judgments can influence actuarial assumptions used by insurers, which in turn affect premium levels and availability for providers across specialties and regions.
State officials have acknowledged the pressure on premiums. In 2024, the Legislature appropriated $15.4 million to the Office of Superintendent of Insurance to help offset medical malpractice insurance costs for individual providers and independent groups. The initiative was framed as targeted relief amid rising rates tied to statutory changes and market conditions, complementing ongoing policy discussions about caps, coverage requirements, and participation in the patient compensation fund.
Anthony "Ant" L. Thornton is a Republican representing New Mexico Senate District 19. He assumed office on January 1, 2025, after winning the November 5, 2024 general election. Thornton brings a technical background to the Legislature—his professional experience is in aerospace engineering, and he holds a Ph.D. His public profiles emphasize community engagement and a focus on issues like border security, public safety, and education.
