A Plan to Fix Health Care Shortage in New Mexico

New Mexico Faces Dire Health Care Worker Shortage

A looming healthcare crisis threatens New Mexico as a critical shortage of medical professionals worsens, leaving many residents without access to essential care. The state is grappling with a “patchwork” system that provides safety nets for some while leaving millions vulnerable and struggling to find qualified doctors and nurses.

A Troubled System: Free Market vs. Public Health

“The free market system just doesn’t work for health care,” contends one observer. “If it did, we would sell kidneys at auction to the highest bidder instead of having a waiting list of those most in need.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern that relying solely on market forces to address healthcare needs fails to adequately serve the public good.

The current system, a hybrid of Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, offers a safety net for the very poor and elderly, but leaves many families struggling to afford healthcare. This patchwork approach leads to inequities in access to care and perpetuates a cycle of health disparities.

The Exodus of Healthcare Professionals

A staggering shortage of healthcare workers is compounding the situation. New Mexico has lost a significant portion of its primary care physicians: a staggering 30 percent in the five years from 2017 through 2021, according to a study by the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee.

This loss isn’t limited to primary care. The numbers of ob-gyns, registered nurses, dentists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and EMTs are also declining. “Things will only get worse unless action is taken now,” warns the report. A looming wave of retirements further exacerbates the problem, with nearly 40 percent of New Mexico’s doctors aged 60 or older.

Think New Mexico Offers a Multi-Pronged Solution

The Santa Fe-based public policy group Think New Mexico has put forth a comprehensive package of legislative proposals aimed at reversing this trend. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of the crisis, their plan addresses various factors contributing to the shortage.

One key proposal focuses on tort reform. This invariably faces resistance in New Mexico’s legislature, which is heavily influenced by the legal profession. “Tort reform is always a tough sell in a state legislature filled with attorneys looking out for their own interests,” notes one commentator. The state has the second-highest rate of medical malpractice suits per capita, a situation that benefits lawyers but leaves patients and providers grappling with high costs and insurance premiums.

Investing in a Healthier Future

In addition to tort reform, Think New Mexico’s proposals encompass a wide range of initiatives designed to attract and retain healthcare professionals. Their plan calls for:

• Joining interstate health care worker compacts to facilitate the movement of professionals across state lines.

• Creating a centralized credentialing system for healthcare providers to streamline the licensing process.

• Ensuring patients can keep their current doctor when changing insurance policies.

• Improving student loan repayment programs for healthcare workers to alleviate educational debt burdens.

• Repealing the gross receipts tax on medical services to reduce healthcare costs.

• Enhancing Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers to make it more financially viable to accept Medicaid patients.

• Expanding access for high school students to train for healthcare jobs, building a pipeline of future healthcare workers.

• Increasing funding for college healthcare education to support the development of qualified professionals.

• Making it easier for foreign doctors to obtain provisional licenses to increase the pool of qualified candidates.

• Creating a $2 billion permanent fund for healthcare to ensure sustainable funding for these critical initiatives.

Addressing the Funding Question

These proposals offer a roadmap to a healthier future for New Mexico, but they come with a significant price tag.

The Legislative Finance Committee will likely conduct a thorough analysis of the financial implications of each proposal, resulting in a series of detailed reports outlining the expected costs.

“I suspect when you add them all up, the total will be staggering,” cautions one voice.

However, the cost of inaction may be even higher. Neglecting to address the healthcare crisis will only exacerbate existing disparities, lead to worse health outcomes, and jeopardize the well-being of New Mexicans.

Given the urgency of the situation, some argue that prioritizing immediate solutions is crucial. Implementing tort reform, which wouldn’t require taxpayer funds, could offer a relatively quick win, followed by pursuing other initiatives that provide the most immediate relief.

Ultimately, many believe the most effective solution is universal healthcare, a system that ensures everyone has access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare, regardless of their income or employment status.

However, recognizing the current political climate, the state must find ways to compete for healthcare professionals and ensure residents have access to the care they deserve.

“Hopefully, the Think New Mexico report will focus the attention of lawmakers to address the problem,” someone pleads, “before the shortage leaves more residents in our state without access to care.”

How does the healthcare worker shortage in New Mexico compare to national trends, ⁣and are there any unique factors contributing‌ to the crisis in ‍the state?

## Interview with‌ a Healthcare Expert on New Mexico’s Crisis

**Host:** Welcome‍ back to the show.⁤ Today we’re talking about a critical issue facing New Mexicans: a severe shortage⁣ of healthcare workers. We’re joined by Dr. Emily Carter,‍ a​ leading voice in healthcare policy and advocate for solutions to this crisis. Dr. Carter, thanks for joining ⁤us.

**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me. This issue is truly alarming, and I appreciate‌ the platform to discuss it.

**Host:** Let’s​ start with the scope of the problem. How ‍dire is the situation in New Mexico?

**Dr. Carter:** It’s incredibly serious. We’ve seen‍ an exodus​ of healthcare professionals, with New⁤ Mexico losing a staggering 30% of‍ primary care physicians in⁣ just five years. Beyond primary care,‌ we see shortages in⁢ almost every medical specialty, from OB-GYNs to nurses to EMTs. This ​means less⁤ access ​to care ⁤for everyone, but particularly for those⁣ in rural ‍areas and underserved communities.

**Host:** What are the driving factors behind this mass exodus?

**Dr. Carter:** It’s multi-faceted. New‌ Mexico has a high rate of medical malpractice lawsuits, which drives up insurance costs and creates a stressful⁤ environment​ for doctors. We also have an aging ​workforce ⁣with⁣ a large number of doctors nearing retirement. Attracting and retaining young professionals is a challenge,⁢ especially when‌ they face overwhelming ‍student loan debt and salary constraints compared to other states.

**Host:** You’ve mentioned ⁢Think New Mexico’s proposals for addressing this ​crisis. Can you ⁤highlight some key solutions they’ve put forward?

**Dr. Carter:** Think New⁤ Mexico has developed a comprehensive plan‌ that tackles the problem on​ multiple fronts. It includes addressing tort reform to‍ curb frivolous lawsuits, streamlining the licensing process for healthcare professionals, and investing in education and training programs to build a stronger pipeline of future caregivers. They also⁢ propose measures to make ⁤New Mexico more competitive – things like improving loan repayment programs and ‌considering a repeal ‌of the gross receipts tax on medical ⁢services to lower healthcare costs.

**Host:** These are ambitious proposals. What are the chances of them‍ being implemented?

**Dr. Carter:** It requires⁢ a strong commitment from our elected officials. Tort reform, in particular, is often met with resistance ⁢due to ​the influence of the legal profession. However, the urgency of the situation demands action. The health ⁤and wellbeing of New Mexicans ⁣are at stake, and the economic consequences of inaction will be severe.

**Host:** Dr. Carter, ‌thank you for shedding light⁣ on this critical issue. This is a conversation we need to continue having to ensure ‌the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.