HEALTH PROFESSIONAL AUTONOMY ACT

SB 16, the "Health Professional Autonomy Act," protects health care providers (like doctors and nurses) by prohibiting health care entities (such as hospitals, staffing companies, and management organizations) from interfering with clinical decisions. It specifically bans entities from controlling or directing providers' choices about diagnostic tests, referrals, patient care plans, or patient volume. The bill allows affected providers to sue for damages or seek court orders if their autonomy is violated, and the Attorney General can also enforce the law. This law directly affects providers and entities in New Mexico’s health care system, excluding federally qualified health centers and independent practices, and takes effect on July 1, 2026.