Health care loan repayment expands to address doctor shortage – Record expansion part of strategy to add health providers in NM
SANTA FE– Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today announced a major expansion of New Mexico’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program, the latest in a series of administration actions to address a physician shortage that has left 32 of the state’s 33 counties with critical gaps in care.
Under the expanded Health Professional Loan Repayment Program, licensed physicians — including part-time physicians — will receive $75,000 per year for student debt relief over a four-year service commitment, for a total of up to $300,000.
That makes New Mexico’s program the most generous state-funded physician loan repayment offer in the nation — more than double Georgia’s $37,500 per year, nearly triple Ohio’s offering, and three times Rhode Island’s annual award.
Previously, New Mexico’s awards for physicians were capped at $25,000 per year over three years.
The expansion represents a 200% increase in annual support and a fourfold increase in total debt relief available to participating physicians.
The expansion was authorized under House Bill 66, which also directs 50% of the program’s $25 million annual appropriation specifically to licensed physicians.
More than 25 other health care licensure fields remain eligible for awards of up to $25,000 per year with a three-year service commitment.
Since 2019, program participation has grown 3,500%, with 1,213 nurses, physicians and mental health counselors currently receiving student debt relief statewide.
Ninety-six percent of program participants remain in New Mexico to practice.
Gov. Lujan Grisham has committed a record $87.9 million to the program over the course of her administration.
“Every New Mexican deserves access to the care they need, and today, we’re putting $300,000 on the table for physicians who want to serve communities that need them most,” said Lujan Grisham. “We’re committed to cutting wait times, closing care gaps and making New Mexico the best place in America to practice medicine.”
“We are planting our flag and sending a clear message to doctors and medical residents nationwide: New Mexico is the place to build your future,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M.
Rodriguez. “With universal free child care, tuition‑free college, and now one of the most powerful loan-repayment programs for health care professionals in the country, New Mexico is a place where you can grow your career, support your family, and serve the communities that need you most.”
C.
Nathaniel Roybal, M.D., Ph.D., of Retina Consultants of New Mexico said his practice will leverage the expanded loan repayment program to recruit top specialists, expand access to specialty care, and ensure more New Mexicans can receive high-quality care close to home.
“New Mexico’s Health Professional Loan Repayment Program is more than an incentive, it’s a commitment to the future of our state,” Roybal said. “This investment sends a national message that New Mexico will become home to the next generation of talented physicians.”
New Mexico faces a shortage of more than 5,000 health care professionals.
Nearly 40% of the state’s doctors are 60 or older and expected to retire by 2030.
A Legislative Finance Committee survey published earlier this year found that two-thirds of New Mexico physicians were considering leaving the state.
The most common reason: malpractice insurance premiums that far outpaced costs in surrounding states, driven by an uncapped punitive damages environment.
To address the shortfall, Governor Lujan Grisham signed landmark medical malpractice reform — the result of more than a year of negotiations — capping punitive damages and raising the evidentiary standard for malpractice claims.
The legislation is expected to reduce physician malpractice premiums by up to 16%.
New Mexico also joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact this year, streamlining the licensing process for out-of-state physicians and projected to increase license applications by 10% to 15%.
Together with today’s record loan repayment expansion, these actions reflect a comprehensive strategy to recruit, retain and restore the physician workforce New Mexico communities depend on.
Applications for New Mexico’s health care professional loan repayment program open June 1 and close July 31.
For eligibility information and how to apply for the New Mexico Health Professional Loan Repayment program visit hed.nm.gov.
New Mexico Higher Education Department Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez is available for media interviews related to the loan program’s expansion.
Media should contact Auriella Ortiz, communications director at HED, to schedule an interview.
Auriella.
Ortiz@hed.nm.gov
Health care loan repayment expands to address doctor shortage – Record expansion part of strategy to add health providers in NM
Governor declares statewide drought and severe fire conditions – Agencies will coordinate community and water protection efforts
Governor Lujan Grisham leads trade mission to Japan
Gov. Lujan Grisham’s cleanup collects 60,000 lbs. of litter – 7,185 volunteers participated, 60,046 pounds of litter collected statewide
New Mexico launches dashboard to track water security plan progress
May 2026
April 2026
March 2026
February 2026
January 2026
December 2025
November 2025
October 2025
September 2025
August 2025
July 2025
June 2025
May 2025
April 2025
March 2025
February 2025
January 2025
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
2022 Wildfires
COVID-19
Early Childhood Education
Legislative Updates
Public Safety
Uncategorized
The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is located on the fourth floor of the New Mexico State Capitol in Room 400.
Address:490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 476-2200Toll free: 520-0020
Open Positions
Boards and Commissions
Judicial and District Attorney Posts
The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is located on the fourth floor of the New Mexico State Capitol in Room 400.
Address:490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400Santa Fe, NM 87501
Phone: 476-2200Toll free: 520-0020
Open Positions
Boards and Commissions
Judicial and District Attorney Posts