New Mexico Nonprofit Launches to Amplify Patient Voices in Health Care Reform

As New Mexico confronts a significant shortage of physicians, a newly established nonprofit, Patient-Led NM, aims to empower patients and elevate their voices in discussions about health care reform. Lawmakers and health care professionals have expressed frustration over what they describe as a failing health care system, prompting calls for urgent policy changes.

The initiative comes at a critical time, with plans for a legislative effort in the upcoming 2024 session to enhance interstate licensing compacts for medical professionals. In addition, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are advocating for reforms to the state’s medical malpractice laws, which many physicians believe are driving health care providers out of New Mexico.

Annie Jung, executive director of the New Mexico Medical Society and one of the nonprofit’s founders, highlighted the importance of addressing policy decisions impacting health care access. She stated, “The reason that our environment in New Mexico is not conducive to health care right now is the policy decisions that have been made.” Jung emphasized that the organization seeks to focus on changing policies to improve access to quality care and restore the patient perspective to the forefront of the conversation.

Patient-Led Initiatives to Drive Policy Change

Founded earlier this year, Patient-Led NM is actively engaging with the community through a series of health care summits across the state. These summits aim to gather patient experiences and discuss practical, evidence-driven reforms. Jung noted that responses from the community have been robust, with patients sharing personal stories about challenges such as long wait times and difficulties in accessing specialty care.

The organization has also launched a digital advertising campaign and established a website, patientlednm.org, to facilitate sharing of experiences by both patients and health care providers. “Responses have been steady and strong, from parents worried about finding specialty care for their children to patients sharing experiences of long wait times,” Jung said. “These are the real-life obstacles New Mexicans face every single day.”

Other founding organizations of the nonprofit include the New Mexico Hospital Association, Sacramento Mountains Foundation, and Greater Albuquerque Medical Association. Their collective effort aims to highlight the challenges faced by patients and advocate for a better health care environment.

Troy Clark, president and CEO of the New Mexico Hospital Association, pointed out that many critical issues often go unnoticed by the general public. “While we want people to be aware of what those issues are so they get addressed, we also want them to have a voice,” he remarked.

Grassroots Movement for Health Care Reform

Describing the initiative as grassroots, John Wheeler, CEO of the Sacramento Mountains Foundation, stated, “This movement is led by patients, and that’s what makes it so powerful.” He emphasized that sharing individual stories underscores the real impact of state-level policy decisions on health care access.

The summits will bring together patients, health care leaders, and policymakers to discuss reforms such as medical malpractice adjustments, reimbursement changes, and gross receipts tax relief. A recent news release indicated that these discussions would focus on lived experiences and how they inform necessary reforms.

Jung articulated the overarching goal of the initiative: to ensure that New Mexico residents have access to the health care they deserve. She remarked, “We all have a story… But everybody has at least one story of problems accessing timely, quality care.”

As New Mexico navigates its health care challenges, Patient-Led NM aims to transform patient experiences into a catalyst for meaningful policy changes, reinforcing the essential role that patient voices play in shaping the future of health care in the state.