The Legislative Health and Human Services Committee convened on August 19, 2025, to address pressing health care issues affecting New Mexico, particularly in rural areas. The meeting featured discussions on medical billing challenges, the impact of federal Medicaid funding cuts, and the need for medical malpractice reform.

The session began with Representative Freire highlighting the importance of addressing health issues related to heat, especially in rural communities. Following this, Mike McMillan presented insights from a recent study commissioned by the legislative council service, which examined the burdens faced by health care providers in the medical billing system. He emphasized the need for solutions to streamline prior authorizations and limit the time frame for payment recoupments by insurers, which currently can extend back several years.

McMillan also raised concerns about the looming cuts to federal Medicaid funding, warning that such reductions could severely impact providers, particularly in rural areas. He urged the committee to consider measures to prevent decreases in Medicaid reimbursements, especially after recent increases.

The discussion continued with a call for data on medical malpractice insurance costs, as McMillan noted that high malpractice costs are a significant barrier to recruiting new physicians in the state. The committee expressed a need for providers to share their insurance data to better understand the trends and challenges in this area.

Karen Kushner, a former practice management professional, contributed her perspective on billing practices, recalling her extensive experience in the field. She underscored the importance of electronic health records in improving billing efficiency, suggesting that advancements in technology could help alleviate some of the current challenges.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further investigate the issues raised, particularly regarding medical malpractice and the potential impacts of federal funding cuts on health care services in New Mexico. The committee plans to gather more data and continue discussions in future sessions to address these critical health care challenges.