New Nonprofit Empowers Patients to Shape Health Care Policy in New Mexico

New Mexico faces a significant challenge with a shortage of physicians, prompting lawmakers to express frustration over what they describe as a failing health care system. In response to this crisis, a new nonprofit organization, Patient-Led NM, has been established to amplify patient voices and drive policy changes aimed at improving health care access and quality in the state.

The organization, which debuted earlier this year, aims to hold a series of summits across New Mexico to highlight personal patient stories as a means to influence legislative reforms. According to Annie Jung, executive director of the New Mexico Medical Society and a co-founder of the nonprofit, “The reason that our environment in New Mexico is not conducive to health care right now is the policy decisions that have been made.”

Patient-Led NM’s initiative is particularly timely as lawmakers prepare for a legislative session in March 2024, during which they plan to propose joining interstate licensing compacts for medical professionals. Alongside this, discussions are underway regarding potential changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws, which many physicians claim are pushing doctors to relocate out of New Mexico. Jung emphasizes the necessity of addressing these issues, stating, “Medical malpractice is at the center. That’s the linchpin, so that has to be fixed.”

The nonprofit’s efforts include launching a digital advertising campaign and a dedicated website, patientlednm.org. This platform allows both patients and health care providers to share their experiences. Jung reports that responses have been “steady and strong,” with stories ranging from parents struggling to find specialty care to individuals facing long wait times for essential medical services.

A collaboration among various organizations, including the New Mexico Hospital Association and the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association, Patient-Led NM is designed to focus on what Troy Clark, president and CEO of the hospital association, describes as the “patient perspective” regarding the state’s health care access challenges. He highlights the complexity of issues such as medical malpractice and tax policies, which are often overlooked by those seeking care. “While we want people to be aware of what those issues are so they get addressed, we also want them to have a voice,” Clark stated.

The grassroots nature of this movement has been underscored by John Wheeler, CEO of the Sacramento Mountains Foundation. He remarked, “This movement is led by patients, and that’s what makes it so powerful. When individuals share their stories, it becomes impossible to ignore the real impact of the state-level policy decisions.”

The summits will serve as a platform for patients, health care leaders, and policymakers to engage in discussions about practical, evidence-driven reforms. Each event aims to spotlight individual experiences while fostering dialogue around essential issues, including malpractice reform and gross receipts tax relief.

Jung’s vision for the initiative is clear: “We all have a story. Some are more dramatic than others. Some are more life-threatening than others. But everybody has at least one story of problems accessing timely, quality care.” As Patient-Led NM embarks on its mission, the hope is to bring about significant changes that will enhance the health care environment for all New Mexicans.