House Bill 15 would incentivize New Mexico alumni working in healthcare to return to the state

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House passed key legislation to recruit healthcare professionals who graduated from New Mexico colleges and universities to return to the state, by a vote of 39-21.

House Bill 15 would create the Health Care Strategic Recruitment Program to strengthen New Mexico's healthcare workforce, particularly in high-demand fields. The program would recruit alumni of New Mexico higher education institutions, who graduated within the past 10 years with a degree or certificate in healthcare but have since moved away, to return and provide critical healthcare services in the state.

"To address our healthcare worker shortage and make sure all New Mexicans are able to receive the quality care they deserve, we have to be proactive," said lead sponsor Representative Marianna Anaya (D-Albuquerque). "We are bringing together the robust benefits our state has established in recent years to create a one-stop-shop to incentivize well-trained, qualified New Mexicans to return home and serve our communities."

The program would also help healthcare professionals find housing, search available jobs, navigate licensure requirements, and provide information on other state benefits like no-cost childcare and free higher education.

HB 15 is also sponsored by Reps. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque), Jenifer Jones (R-Deming) and Senator Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque).

This session, House Democrats are pushing forward a slate of legislation to make life better and more affordable for New Mexicans, including efforts to improve access to healthcare.

Below is a non-comprehensive list of House Democrats' legislation this session to lower costs and improve quality of life for New Mexico families:

Healthcare & Childcare

Delivering $15 billion in state and federal funding for Medicaid and other critical healthcare services (HB 2)
Increasing funding for the Early Childhood Education and Care Department by $170 million, or 21.6%, to greatly expand pre-K, childcare assistance, and more (HB 2)
Launching a pilot program to provide financial support for grandparents or other relatives raising the children of a family member (HB 252)

Housing & Utilities

Directing $110 million to targeted housing development, including transitional housing, with a focus on Bernalillo and Doña Ana counties (HB 2)
Making $45.9 million available to housing providers to focus on specialized housing solutions and a strategic response to homelessness (HB 2)
Improving access to housing and protecting renters from discrimination and artificial rent increases (HB 98, 215, 339)
Allowing public utilities to implement additional rate structures intended to reduce utility costs for low-income customers (HB 91)
Increasing property tax exemptions for veterans (HB 47)

Groceries & Everyday Goods

Improving food security with $10 million in annual funding for food banks (HB 2)
Establishing a commission to study and make recommendations on how to reduce grocery store prices and improve local supply chain issues (HB 17)
Eliminating unfair pricing by ticket resellers (HB 26)

Workers & Career Development

Raising minimum pay for workers on publicly-supported projects (HB 6)
Stopping employers from taking credit card fees out of the wages of tipped workers (HB 22)
Providing New Mexicans with job protection and financial support when they welcome a child, fall ill, or need to take care of a loved one (HB 11)
Providing a 4% average salary increase for public school personnel, raising minimum teacher salaries by $5,000 per license level, and increasing funding for employee benefits so educators and school staff can keep more of what they earn (HB 2)
Expanding access to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program within New Mexico (HB 69)
Providing free high school equivalency testing and preparatory services (HB 167), which also passed the House Floor today

Members of the public are welcome to attend floor sessions and committee meetings at the New Mexico Roundhouse, and can tune in virtually through the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab. Public comment can also be provided in-person, and via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.