Nella Domenici, a former candidate for the New Mexico Senate, has expressed concerns about the state's healthcare system. She attributed the loss of doctors in New Mexico to policies implemented by Martin Heinrich. Domenici made these remarks on X.
"New Mexico is losing doctors at an alarming rate—25% gone in key areas," said Domenici. "Martin Heinrich's radical progressive policies are driving them out, and our healthcare system is collapsing because of it."
Since 2023, New Mexico lawmakers have been engaged in discussions regarding malpractice reform amid a growing shortage of physicians. According to Source New Mexico and the New Mexico Legislature, legislation such as SB 521 and SB 449 has been introduced to address this issue. These bills propose liability caps for independent clinics and adjustments to venue limits, aiming to stabilize liability costs that many doctors claim are driving them out of the state. However, opponents argue that these measures could restrict patient rights.
New Mexico is currently the only state experiencing a decline in its physician workforce over the past five years, with a reduction of 248 doctors between 2019 and 2024. The state also lost approximately 30% of its primary care doctors between 2017 and 2021. Think New Mexico’s 2024 Health Workforce Report highlights that these losses are particularly concentrated in rural areas, pointing to an ongoing crisis in healthcare access partly due to high malpractice costs and burnout.
Physician retention and malpractice rates place New Mexico at a disadvantage compared to neighboring states. According to MEDPLI’s 2025 buying guide, OB-GYN malpractice premiums average around $80,000 in New Mexico, compared to $55,000 in Texas and Colorado, and $69,000 in Arizona. These higher rates are often cited as a deterrent for specialists considering practicing in the state.
Domenici previously served as Chief Financial Officer at Bridgewater Associates and Credit Suisse. Her campaign website emphasizes her focus on healthcare reform, criticism of doctor shortages in New Mexico, and advocacy for business-driven policy solutions alongside accountability in healthcare spending.
