Committee backs $3M for UNM to expand rural physician rotations, projects 150–200 new rural experiences

The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee voted unanimously to recommend SB5, which would appropriate $3,000,000 from the general fund to the University of New Mexico’s graduate medical education (GME) program to expand rural rotations and residency experiences.

Sponsor Senator Charlie framed the measure as a "grow your own" workforce strategy to address New Mexico's primary care shortfall, saying "This bill supports up to 200 additional rural rotations" to encourage physicians to practice in rural communities where shortages are most acute. Co‑sponsor Senator Cindy Nava told the committee the appropriation will support rotations in family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics‑gynecology and pediatrics and said the aim is recruitment to underserved areas.

Dr. Mike Richards (UNM) testified that state support is needed because clinical rotations that occur outside the sponsoring hospital are not fully covered by federal funding; he projected the appropriation could create "somewhere between a 150 to 200 more rural rotation experiences per year" and said UNM would report back to the committee on program use and rotation counts.

Supporters who spoke in favor included the New Mexico Hospital Association, practicing family physicians and Bernalillo County behavioral health officials who said rural rotations help recruit and retain clinicians. An opponent raised concerns that UNM already has other grant funding and questioned whether a $3,000,000 one‑time appropriation ensures long‑term retention; committee members pointed to companion bills (loan repayment and preceptor support) in the package.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation on SB5, 10–0. The committee clerk called the roll, and Chair Lopez announced the result.