Committee recommends do‑pass for $547M UNM medical school project; supporters cite workforce expansion, students and some opponents push back

Senate Bill 6, which would authorize construction of a new University of New Mexico School of Medicine facility to replace aging Fitts Hall and expand medical and allied health education, received a unanimous do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee.

Sponsor Senator Munoz described the project as necessary to address workforce shortages and to double class sizes over the next decade; he said the funding package combines state general funds, severance tax bonds and other capital funds to reach a project total of roughly $547,000,000, with UNM contributing $60,000,000 as a match. "This project is strongly aligned with the legislature's ongoing focus of New Mexico's health care workforce," Munoz said.

Dr. Mike Richards (UNM) told the committee the university's recent expansion of clinical delivery (a new hospital tower) creates the capacity to train more learners, but that the existing education building has reached the end of its serviceable life and must be replaced to meet accreditation needs. He described the project as a multigenerational investment that would enable growth across medical and nine allied health programs.

Supporters — including local chambers of commerce and the New Mexico Hospital Association — said a modern facility will help retain graduates and attract research funding. Opponents and at least one medical student speaker questioned whether a new building alone addresses physician retention, citing parking, malpractice and other structural barriers; a public commenter described institutional grievances with UNM leadership.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation on SB6 by voice vote with a reported roll call of 10–0. The bill will move forward in the legislative process for further consideration.