New Mexico Lawmakers Debate Medical Malpractice Reforms

Proposed bills aim to address rising insurance rates and doctor shortages in the state.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Lawmakers in New Mexico are focusing on medical malpractice reforms, including proposals to implement new limits on punitive damages for healthcare providers. The goal is to protect doctors, independent practices, and local hospitals, but concerns remain about the lack of protections for hospital employees. Medical malpractice attorneys argue against capping damages for healthcare corporations, while another bill proposes a process for doctors and patients to discuss adverse outcomes without legal repercussions.

Why it matters

New Mexico has faced challenges with rising medical malpractice insurance rates and doctor shortages, prompting lawmakers to consider reforms. The debate centers on balancing accountability for healthcare providers with protecting the medical industry from excessive liability.

The details

The proposed medical malpractice reform bill aims to implement new limits on punitive damages for healthcare providers. This effort is intended to protect doctors, independent practices, and local hospitals. However, the House amended the bill to remove the proposed limit for hospital corporations, raising concerns about the lack of protections for their employees. Medical malpractice attorneys argue against capping damages for healthcare corporations, stating that multibillion-dollar corporations need to be held accountable. Another bill proposes a process for doctors and patients to discuss adverse outcomes without legal repercussions, which supporters believe will help filter out cases that don't need to be filed and provide earlier resolutions to real cases.

  • The House Judiciary Committee will debate the medical malpractice reform bill through the weekend.
  • The debate on these reforms is expected to intensify next week.

The players

Sen. Peter Wirth

Senate Majority Floor Leader.

Dr. Angelina Villas-Adams

Past president of the New Mexico Medical Society.

Kathy Love

A medical malpractice attorney.

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What they’re saying

“The place that there's going to be tension is whether or not these multibillion-dollar hospitals out of Tennessee should be capped on punitive damages.”

— Sen. Peter Wirth, Senate Majority Floor Leader (kob.com)

“We're not convinced that it protects all physicians.”

— Dr. Angelina Villas-Adams, Past president of the New Mexico Medical Society (kob.com)

“The multibillion-dollar corporations need to be held accountable, or else hospitals will not provide quality care or safe care.”

— Kathy Love, Medical malpractice attorney (kob.com)

“I truly believe that it will help filter through some of the cases that don't need to be filed, and provide earlier resolutions to the real cases that do need to be filed.”

— Kathy Love, Medical malpractice attorney (kob.com)

What’s next

The House Judiciary Committee will debate the medical malpractice reform bill through the weekend, with talks of removing the amendment and considering compromises.

The takeaway

The debate over medical malpractice reforms in New Mexico highlights the delicate balance between protecting healthcare providers and ensuring accountability for healthcare corporations. The outcome of these legislative efforts could have significant implications for the state's medical industry and patient care.