Governor Signs HB 99 today: Medical Malpractice Reforms Become Law in New Mexico HB99 Co-Sponsor Representative Doreen Gallegos reacts

LAS CRUCES – Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 99 into law, enacting sweeping, bipartisan reforms to New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Act. Sponsored by Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos), Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Dona Ana), Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-Socorro) and others, the measure introduces tiered caps on punitive damages—scaling from approximately $900,000 for independent doctors and $1 million for outpatient clinics to $6 million for locally owned hospitals and higher for larger systems—while clarifying the definition of a single “occurrence” to limit multiple claims from one injury.

“Today marks a hard-won, five-year victory for healthcare access for all New Mexicans,” said Rep. Doreen Gallegos “HB 99 puts fair guardrails in place—protecting patients’ right to meaningful compensation while creating a more stable environment for physicians. By addressing the root cause of our doctor shortage, this reform will help retain and attract providers, ensuring every New Mexican has better access to the quality care they deserve.”

Gallegos continued, “Excessive and unpredictable punitive damages have driven up malpractice insurance costs, pushing doctors away or into early retirement and leaving families waiting months for care”.

Rep. Gallegos concluded her statement with, “I am proud to report to my constituents that HB99 is now law.  I heard from them over the years on this single issue and worked hard for this day to come.  I was proud to work with Rep. Chandler on this important legislation.”

HB99 passed the House 66-3 and the Senate 40-2.