EXPAND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE TYPES

SB 173 expands the types of medical malpractice insurance health care providers in New Mexico can use to meet qualification requirements under the Medical Malpractice Act. It directly affects hospitals, outpatient facilities, and independent providers by removing the current limitation that restricted them to only claims-made or occurrence-based policies. The key provision amends Section 41-5-5 to allow providers to qualify using "any form of malpractice insurance" instead of the previous two options. This change simplifies insurance choices for providers without altering coverage amounts or financial responsibility rules. The bill does not change existing requirements for minimum coverage ($250,000 per claim for most providers) or surcharges.