New Mexicans struggling to find doctors or facing long wait times for medical care will have a chance to weigh in on the state’s medical malpractice laws at a public town hall hosted by Rep. Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque) on Aug. 17.
The event comes as New Mexico grapples with an unprecedented healthcare workforce crisis, losing 248 practicing physicians between 2019 and 2024 — making it the only state in the nation to experience a net loss of doctors during that period, according to the Physicians Advocacy Institute.
Anaya will host the Medical Malpractice Town Hall from 2-4 p.m. at Presbyterian Immanuel Nob Hill, 114 Carlisle Blvd SE. The free public event aims to address New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws and their connection to physician shortages statewide.
“I’m so proud of the respectful discussions we’ve had within our healthcare working group, even when we have differing thoughts and experiences,” Anaya said in a news release announcing the event. “We owe it to our community and the state of New Mexico to engage in thoughtful dialogue about this issue.”
The town hall addresses mounting concerns about healthcare access across New Mexico. The state has the second-highest number of medical malpractice lawsuits per capita in the U.S., with one lawsuit filed for every 14,000 residents compared to the national average of one for every 34,000 residents.
This litigation environment has driven medical malpractice insurance premiums to over $43,000 annually for independent doctors in New Mexico — more than 60% higher than surrounding states, where premiums average in the mid-$20,000 range.
The high costs are particularly devastating for rural areas. Insurance companies in New Mexico pay more than $183 in claims for every $100 they receive in premiums — the highest “loss ratio” in the country and more than double the national average — pushing some rural hospitals “to the brink,” according to reporting by Searchlight New Mexico.
Between July 2022 and July 2024 alone, New Mexico saw 233 malpractice applications filed, solidifying its position among states with the highest rates of malpractice claims per capita.
New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Act underwent major revisions in 2021 after 45 years without significant changes. Damage caps increased from $750,000 to $1 million for independent facilities in 2024, with caps for hospitals rising to $5-6 million by 2026, adjusted annually for inflation.
The number of primary care physicians in New Mexico fell by 30% from 2017-2021, and the state is projected to be short 2,118 doctors by 2030, according to research by the Cicero Institute.
During the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers provided subsidies to a dozen rural hospitals to help offset rising insurance costs. Those subsidies were described as “the only thing keeping us going” by administrators at some facilities.
Anaya, who assumed office in January 2025 after winning the election to represent House District 18 in November, has made healthcare workforce issues a legislative priority. She sponsored HB 15, the Healthcare Strategic Recruitment Program, which she described as “the first program of its kind in the entire nation.”
The bill, which passed the House before being postponed, aims to recruit healthcare workers who graduated from New Mexico institutions back to the state through a comprehensive support program.
Before her election, Anaya worked as a policy advocate and played a role in Medical Malpractice Law reform efforts, helping create what supporters called “a more patient-centered healthcare system in New Mexico,” according to Equality New Mexico.
The Aug.17 event will feature both patients harmed by medical malpractice and local physicians who are part of Anaya’s working group addressing safety and healthcare shortages. The town hall is designed to “chart a path forward for a more robust workforce, and ensure safer workplace conditions for medical providers,” according to the announcement.
Presbyterian Immanuel Nob Hill, located in the heart of the Nob Hill neighborhood within Anaya’s district, serves as “a vital hub for both the congregation and the community” and was chosen to facilitate broad public participation.
Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available upon request, and while the event is free and open to the public, RSVPs are requested for planning purposes.
To RSVP for the Medical Malpractice Town Hall, visit: https://bit.ly/medmaltownhall