Committee backs loan-repayment program for health professionals, adopts a $25M amendment
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Summary
Committee moved SB 14 (loan repayment for physicians, allied health and nurses) as amended; sponsors said the program would prioritize physicians for multi-year service commitments and allow part-time practice while receiving payments; committee adopted an amendment removing one appropriation and identified $25 million in funding.
The committee voted to give Senate Bill 14 a do-pass recommendation as amended after testimony from health-care associations and an amendment adjusting appropriation language. Sponsor presentation said SB 14 establishes a loan-repayment program aimed at recruiting physicians (four-year obligation) and providing repayment to allied health and nursing professionals (three-year obligation), with an option for an additional year. The bill would prioritize physicians for at least 50% of funds unless insufficient applicants exist.
Supporters from Think New Mexico, the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association and nursing organizations said the current state program is not competitive with surrounding states and that higher repayment amounts are needed to recruit clinicians. Christina Fisher of Think New Mexico said, “Our student loan repayment program is not competitive…36 other states nationally offer more,” and urged support.
Committee members asked how surrounding states compare; the sponsor cited Arizona's amounts and said other states are likely to follow. An amendment was offered that struck appropriation language; committee members later discussed available funding and the sponsor cited $25,000,000 as a funding level. The amendment was adopted and the committee approved a motion to move the bill as amended. On roll call the do-pass motion as amended was recorded with nine affirmative votes, zero negative, and several members excused; the clerk announced "9 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative."
Sponsor and staff said the Department of Higher Education (HED) would administer the program using an existing advisory process; the bill allows recipients to work up to halftime while receiving repayment, making the program more competitive for those starting families.
Next steps: with committee approval the bill will move to the next legislative stage with the adopted amendment and identified funding to be reflected in the committee substitute or subsequent paperwork.
