In rural New Mexico, a hardworking rancher lived with undiagnosed hypertension and diabetes. Like so many others, he couldn’t find a primary care provider. Long waits and limited access led him to delay care—until a foot injury sent him to the ER.

By then, it was too late.

Months of IV antibiotics couldn’t stop the infection. His diabetes, unmanaged for years, had damaged his circulation. Amputation became the only option.

He lost more than a limb. He lost his job, his independence, and eventually, his hope.

We have Patients in Peril.

Over decades, decisions by lawmakers have made it increasingly difficult for independent and community-based providers to survive. Three policy failures are at the root of this crisis:

• An unpredictable and litigious malpractice system that makes it too risky for independent providers to stay in business.

• Chronically low Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates that make it nearly impossible for small practices and community hospitals to cash flow.

• New Mexico’s Gross Receipts Tax on healthcare—a hidden cost that affects providers and hospitals, placing further strain on care access.

This didn’t have to happen. With basic preventive care, his conditions could have been managed. His leg could have been saved.

New Mexico has lost 248 physicians since 2019. Primary care shortages are so severe that patients are ending up in the ER with preventable complications. This is not healthcare. This is failure.

We must rebuild a system where people get care before it’s too late—before they lose more than just time.

Advocate with honesty, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to truth. That includes confronting the policies that have made early care inaccessible and outcomes like this inevitable.

Your health deserves better than broken policy.

No one should lose a limb—or a livelihood—because they couldn’t get a doctor’s appointment.

Join the movement to fix what’s failing. Sign up below to learn more from Patient First New Mexico.