Healthcare

passed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 14: HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SB 14 creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients for loan repayment awards under New Mexico’s existing health professional loan program. The committee, composed of state health and education officials, evaluates applicants who must be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or agree to relocate and begin practice in the state. Award recipients must work in designated underserved areas, with the Higher Education Department determining award amounts and disbursing funds. The bill amends prior laws to formalize this committee structure and streamline the selection process for loan repayment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates committee to fund loan repayments for health professionals in underserved areas, enhancing access to healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 256: DEFIBRILLATORS AT SCHOOL ATHLETIC EVENTS

HB 256 requires all New Mexico schools to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) available during school athletic events. It mandates schools to create cardiac emergency response plans, install and maintain AEDs, and ensure they are clearly marked and accessible. The bill applies to all public non-charter high schools (by 2026-2027) and elementary, middle, charter, and private schools (by 2027-2028). Key provisions include requiring evidence-based response plans, AED maintenance, and staff training aligned with American Heart Association standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans for school athletic events, enhancing student safety infrastructure in K-12 settings per EDUCATION subject classification.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs and cardiac emergency plans at school events, improving immediate access to life-saving health services during athletic activities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 47: SCHOOL EMPLOYEE INSURANCE PROGRAMS

HB 47 amends New Mexico law to change how school districts and charter schools cover insurance costs for their employees. It requires these entities to pay at least 80% of insurance costs for employees earning under $50,000 annually, 70% for those earning $50,000-$60,000, and 60% for those earning over $60,000. The bill also mandates a study on the long-term sustainability of these insurance programs and includes provisions for cost-containment measures in health benefit plans. This directly affects public school employees and school districts across New Mexico, shifting their contribution responsibilities compared to current law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates increased insurance cost coverage for school employees, strengthening teacher benefits and access to health coverage under education-focused policy.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates increased employer insurance contributions for school employees, expanding health coverage access under healthcare policy.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires school districts to cover 60-80% of insurance costs for employees based on income, expanding health benefits for lower/mid-wage workers and aligning with worker protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 306: PROHIBIT CERTAIN HEALTH CARE FACILITY FEES

HB 306 prohibits hospitals from charging patients facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth services starting January 1, 2027. It exempts critical access hospitals, rural sole community hospitals, and emergency department services (both hospital-based and freestanding). The bill requires hospitals to notify patients about potential facility fees before appointments and during care, display bilingual signage, and provide itemized bills showing these charges. Hospitals must also report facility fee data to the state's All-Payer Claims Database for transparency and analysis.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth, improving patient access and reducing financial barriers to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 66: HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL LOAN FUND CHANGES

HB 66 updates New Mexico's health professional loan repayment program. It creates a Health Professions Advisory Committee to select recipients of loan repayment awards, replacing the previous commission. The bill requires applicants to be licensed health professionals currently practicing in New Mexico or to agree to relocate and begin practice there. The Higher Education Department will determine award amounts and administer the program, with new criteria for selecting applicants and allowing fees if recipients breach their service agreements. This affects health professionals seeking repayment for education loans in exchange for practicing in the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates loan repayment program for health professionals, strengthening workforce retention and access to care in New Mexico.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 3: COMMITMENT PROCEDURE CHANGES & DEFINITIONS

SB 3 clarifies key definitions in New Mexico's mental health laws, specifically adding precise criteria for "harm to self" and "harm to others" within the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. It defines "harm to self" to include both imminent suicide risk and an inability to meet basic needs (like food or safety) that would cause serious harm without treatment. Similarly, it defines "harm to others" as past violent behavior likely to recur, based on observable actions causing reasonable fear. These definitions directly affect courts, healthcare providers, and legal decisions regarding involuntary treatment commitments under the law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies mental health commitment criteria to prevent unnecessary criminal justice involvement, aligning with reform goals like diversion from courts.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies mental health commitment criteria to improve patient access and treatment eligibility under defined harm scenarios.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 101: HEALTH CARE DELIVERY & ACCESS ACT REPEAL

SB 101 repeals a delayed repeal of New Mexico's Health Care Delivery and Access Act (enacted in 2024). It specifically removes Section 13 of Laws 2024, Chapter 41, which had postponed the original act's repeal. This action restores the full provisions of the Health Care Delivery and Access Act, meaning it directly affects healthcare providers and patients covered under the original legislation. The bill does not change the act's content but ensures it remains in effect without further delay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores full provisions of Health Care Delivery & Access Act, maintaining current patient/provider protections and access without delay as originally enacted.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 20: PRIOR AUTHORIZATION & PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

SB 20 would change how health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers handle prior authorization for prescription drugs in New Mexico. It prohibits requiring prior authorization for medications treating serious mental illnesses (such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder), ensuring patients can access these drugs without delays. For drugs managing chronic conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure), the bill limits prior authorization reviews to once every three years instead of more frequent checks. The law also requires the state insurance office to standardize the process, create a uniform form for requests, and monitor compliance to prevent unnecessary delays in care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits prior auth for mental health meds & limits reviews for chronic conditions, improving patient access to essential treatments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 38: WHEELCHAIR INSURANCE COVERAGE

HB 38 requires New Mexico health insurance plans to cover wheelchairs and activity chairs for individuals with permanent mobility-limiting conditions (such as paralysis, limb loss, or neuromuscular disorders) without more restrictive terms than other medical benefits. The bill mandates coverage equivalent to Medicare standards, including all necessary services like fittings, repairs, replacements, and instruction, while prohibiting separate cost-sharing or lifetime limits for these devices. It also ensures insurers must cover out-of-network providers when in-network options are unavailable and reimburse at in-network rates. This applies to all group health plans under the Health Care Purchasing Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive wheelchair coverage without restrictive terms, expanding insurance benefits for mobility devices under healthcare policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · New Mexico · House Mar 6, 2026

HB 34: SCHOOL NURSE LICENSURE PROVISIONS

HB 34 updates New Mexico's school nurse licensure rules to clarify that charter schools must follow the same requirements as public school districts. It establishes three license levels: Level One (a 3-year provisional license requiring mentorship and annual evaluations for new nurses without 3+ years of experience), Level Two (a 9-year license for nurses who complete Level One or have 3+ years of experience), and Level Three (a 9-year license requiring advanced education and leadership skills). The bill sets minimum salaries for each level equal to corresponding teacher salary grades and mandates annual competency reviews by school districts or charter schools. These changes apply to all school nurses employed in New Mexico public and charter schools starting July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies charter school compliance with nurse licensure standards and establishes structured license levels to improve nurse competency and support in schools.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes standardized licensure for school nurses, ensuring qualified healthcare professionals in schools, strengthening student health services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare