By Mark Epstein
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As a physician leader in New Mexico for over 30 years, I want to speak plainly about why our state is losing physicians and what must be done. I recently testified before a key Legislative Interim Committee during its hearing on medical malpractice reform. The day before, several legislators had asked why no physicians had been invited to speak, even though the exodus of physicians is the central issue. So, when I was given the chance to speak for physicians, I took that responsibility seriously.
In the hearing, I raised one of the most urgent concerns among physicians today: the ever-present threat of uncapped punitive damages in medical malpractice cases. This threat is driving physicians to leave New Mexico, retire early or choose not to practice here in the first place.
(Originally published by Albuquerque Journal, November 15, 2025)