It’s easy to point fingers in a healthcare crisis. And right now, private ownership of hospitals is being painted as the villain in New Mexico’s access-to-care emergency.

But here’s the truth: this isn’t an ownership crisis—it’s a policy crisis. And until we acknowledge that, we’ll keep missing the real solutions.

MYTH: Private ownership is what’s broken in New Mexico’s healthcare system.

FACT: Access—not ownership—is the real problem.

New Mexicans aren’t struggling to get care because of who owns the hospital. They’re struggling because there aren’t enough doctors, not enough appointments, and not enough support for providers who want to stay and serve their communities.

MYTH: New investors are taking over our healthcare system.

FACT: Many investor-owned hospitals have been part of our communities for decades.

This isn’t new. Many of New Mexico’s investor-owned hospitals have been operating in the state for more than a decade—some for over 20 years. Here’s a snapshot:

• Lovelace Medical Center – 22 years

• Carlsbad Medical Center – 18 years

• MountainView Regional – 18 years

• Eastern NM Medical Center – 14 years

• Memorial Medical Center – 20 years

• Los Alamos Medical Center – 27 years

• Mimbres Memorial – 9 years

• Three Crosses Regional – 4.5 years (newly built facility)

• Alta Vista Regional – transitioned to nonprofit 2 years ago

These facilities didn’t cause the current crisis—they’ve been part of the system as it evolved under changing policy and regulatory conditions.

So What Changed?

Despite long-standing hospital operators, New Mexico has become one of the hardest states in the nation to practice medicine—especially for independent and community-based providers.

Here’s what’s really pushing doctors out and leaving patients behind:

• A litigious malpractice environment that drives up insurance costs and legal risk

• Chronically low Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates that don’t even cover the cost of care

• A Gross Receipts Tax on healthcare—New Mexico is one of only four states that taxes medical services

These conditions are forcing physicians to retire early, relocate, or avoid New Mexico entirely. Since 2019, the state has experienced a net loss of 248 physicians—the only state in the country to see a consistent decline over that period.

The Real Question: Can You Get Care When You Need It?

While others argue over ownership, thousands of New Mexicans are waiting weeks or months to see a doctor. Rural clinics are closing. Specialists are scarce. And patients with complex conditions are being left behind.

This crisis won’t be fixed by assigning blame. We need strategic investment, smart policy, and accountability from lawmakers—not scapegoats.

What We’re Advocating For

Patient First New Mexico is leading the charge for real, lasting solutions:

• Reforming unreasonable and unpredictable malpractice laws

• Raising reimbursement rates so providers can afford to stay in practice

• Eliminating tax policies that penalize providers for showing up to serve

We’re not here to defend corporate interests—we’re here to protect your right to timely, high-quality care.

Join the Movement

Every New Mexican deserves timely, high-quality care—no matter where they live or who they are. Let’s stop the political theater and focus on what matters most: patient access.