A Healthcare Crisis in Numbers

According to the report, New Mexico ranks among the worst states in terms of access to healthcare professionals. Currently, more than 1 million New Mexicans live in areas classified as healthcare professional shortage areas by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The shortage is particularly severe for primary care physicians, nurses, and behavioral health professionals, leading to delayed care, longer travel times for patients, and added stress on the healthcare system as a whole.

“It is a situation that requires urgent attention,” said Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico. “We are seeing entire communities struggle with basic access to healthcare, and the consequences are life-threatening.”

The numbers are stark. The state is short approximately 330 primary care physicians, 240 behavioral health providers, and over 1,000 nurses. Without intervention, the problem is expected to worsen as many of the state’s current healthcare workers approach retirement age, exacerbating the already fragile situation.

The Human Impact

Behind the statistics are real stories of New Mexicans struggling to get the care they need. The report includes testimonials from healthcare professionals and patients who describe long waits for appointments, difficulty accessing specialists, and the personal toll of working in an under-resourced system.

The wait to see a specialist can be months, according the report, and patients drive hours just for a routine check-up because there is no one available closer to them. Patients in rural areas face the brunt of the shortage. Those living in communities like Hobbs, Gallup, and Deming have reported delays in receiving critical services like cancer screenings, mental health counseling, and even emergency care.

The healthcare professionals shortage also disproportionately affects Native American communities in New Mexico. Many tribal areas already face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, and the shortage of healthcare workers exacerbates these challenges. Native American populations, particularly those living on reservations, often must travel long distances to receive medical care, which can lead to delays in treatment and worsened health outcomes. The report highlights that addressing this shortage is crucial for improving healthcare equity, especially in these underserved and often isolated communities, where healthcare professionals are critically needed.

The 10-Point Plan for Change

The report doesn’t just highlight the problem—it offers solutions. Think New Mexico’s ten-point plan is a comprehensive roadmap for addressing the state’s healthcare professional shortage through a mix of immediate reforms and long-term investments.

The key points of the plan are:

• Reform the Medical Malpractice Act: Amending the act to reduce financial risks for providers, making New Mexico more attractive for private practice.
• Join Interstate Healthcare Worker Compacts: Simplifying the process for out-of-state healthcare workers to obtain licenses and practice in New Mexico.
• Expand Student Loan Repayment Programs: Increasing financial incentives for healthcare workers serving in underserved areas.
• Increase Medicaid Reimbursement Rates: Raising these rates could make it more viable for healthcare providers to serve Medicaid patients.
• Expand Medical and Nursing School Capacity: Increasing faculty salaries in higher education programs for health care workers and providing tax credits for preceptors training students in the community.
• Import More International Medical Graduates: Creating a pathway for doctors trained in other countries to practice in New Mexico.
• Make New Mexico’s Tax Policy More Friendly to Health Care Workers: Repealing the gross receipts tax on medical services and expanding the Rural Health Care Practitioner Tax Credit.
• Increase Access to Healthcare Training in High Schools: Providing liability protections to employers who provide hands-on training experiences for high school students and making it easier for students to earn health care credentials while still in school.
• Streamline Credentialing Processes: Creating a centralized credentialing process to reduce administrative burdens on healthcare workers.
• Create a $2 Billion Healthcare Workforce Fund: Investing in a permanent fund to support long-term workforce development, funded by state revenues.

“We need to make New Mexico a more attractive place to work for healthcare professionals,” said Nathan. “The permanent fund Think New Mexico has proposed would ensure that we can consistently invest in building and maintaining a robust healthcare workforce.”

The reforms outlined in this report are projected to offer significant economic benefits. According to a 2018 study by the American Medical Association, each physician in New Mexico adds about $1.9 million to the state’s economy annually and helps create 11 jobs. This activity generates approximately $930,000 in wages and benefits, along with over $75,000 in state and local tax revenue per doctor. By addressing the healthcare workforce shortage, these reforms would not only improve access to care but also provide a major boost to the state’s economic growth.

Educational Initiatives and Workforce Development

One of the key aspects of the report is its focus on education and workforce development. The plan emphasizes the need to expand the capacity of the state’s medical and nursing schools by increasing faculty salaries.

The report also suggests new initiatives to attract young people in New Mexico to healthcare careers. This includes increasing outreach and expanding access to career and technical education in health-related fields by providing liability protections to health employers who provide learning experiences to students, which would provide early exposure to healthcare professions and help build a pipeline of future workers.

“It starts with education,” said Sarah McGowan, a nursing student at the University of New Mexico. “If we can make healthcare more accessible as a career path, we can start to fill the gap.”

Political and Economic Challenges

While the healthcare worker shortage report is comprehensive, the political and economic challenges of implementing its recommendations are significant. Funding a $2 billion permanent healthcare workforce fund would require strong bipartisan support in the state legislature, as well as identifying a sustainable source of revenue. Furthermore, reforms like raising Medicaid reimbursement rates could face pushback due to their impact on the state budget.

However, Think New Mexico’s report argues that the costs of inaction far outweigh the price of these reforms. The current shortage is already costing the state in terms of both health outcomes and economic productivity, and the problem will only worsen if steps are not taken now.

A Call for Immediate Action

The report concludes with a call to action for state lawmakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to come together and address the healthcare professionals shortage. It stresses the importance of a long-term commitment to solving the crisis, noting that while many of the proposed solutions will take time to bear fruit, immediate steps can and should be taken to alleviate the strain on the system.

“This is a critical moment for New Mexico,” said Nathan. “If we act now, we can reverse this trend and ensure that all New Mexicans have access to the healthcare they deserve.”

Con Alma Health Foundation’s Role

The report was made possible through the support of the Con Alma Health Foundation, which funded the research and development. Con Alma, a major advocate for improving health equity and access in New Mexico, played a crucial role in ensuring that the findings and recommendations could be brought to light. Their mission to support underserved communities aligns closely with the goals of the report, and their funding enabled the in-depth analysis of the healthcare workforce crisis.

“At Con Alma, we believe that investing in critical research like the Healthcare Worker Shortage report is essential for understanding and addressing the healthcare challenges our state faces,” said Con Alma CEO Linda Candelaria. “We wanted to provide New Mexico’s policymakers, healthcare leaders, and communities with the data they need to make informed decisions. The insights gained will guide reforms that can improve access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, and ensure that everyone living in New Mexico can receive the healthcare they deserve.”

About Think New Mexico
Think New Mexico is a nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Mexicans. Focused on practical, data-driven solutions, the organization tackles some of the state’s most pressing challenges, from healthcare and education to economic development and government reform. By researching critical issues and proposing legislative reforms, Think New Mexico aims to create positive change that benefits both individuals and communities across the state. The organization operates with a commitment to independence, transparency, and improving New Mexico’s future.

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Santa Fe, NM – The Con Alma Health Foundation has awarded 16 Rural Community Grants to nonprofits in Southern and Northeastern New Mexico, focusing on addressing health disparities in underserved areas. These grants support organizations enhancing access, culturally appropriate services, workforce development, health promotion, and policy advocacy. Organizations in Catron, Chaves, Colfax, Curry, De Baca, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Harding, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Mescalero, Navajo Nation, Otero, Quay, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, Torrance, Union, and McKinley counties will receive funding to support programs.

Grant Priorities and Focus Areas

The Foundation prioritized organizations committed to improving access to health services, ensuring that care is culturally appropriate and responsive to the needs of local communities. Key areas of focus also included health promotion initiatives that encourage preventive care, as well as policy and advocacy efforts aimed at driving systemic change for long-term impact. Additionally, workforce development was a priority, supporting programs that train and retain health workers in underserved areas to strengthen community health infrastructure.

2024 Grant Recipients

• CARC, Inc. (Region 4) – Capacity building for services for individuals with disabilities in Eddy County.
• Chaves County Health Council (Region 4) – Expansion of 2-1-1 service in Chaves County.
• Children’s Reading Alliance (Region 5) – Early childhood literacy support in Doña Ana County.
• Community Drug Coalition of Lea County (Region 4) – Enhancing substance abuse prevention programs.
• El Calvario United Methodist Church (Region 5) – Support for migrant community resiliency in Doña Ana County.
• El Corazon de Columbus (Region 5) – Community development initiatives in Luna County.
• Fort Sumner Public Library (Region 4) – Health resource improvements in De Baca County.
• Lincoln County Community Health Council (Region 5) – Expanding food security programs in Lincoln County.
• Ogallala Commons, Inc. (Region 4) – Expanding local food access to fresh nutrient rich food in multiple counties.
• Silver City Gospel Mission (Region 5) – Capacity support for operational needs in Grant County.
• The LAB (Region 5) – Youth programs in Silver City.
• United Way of Eddy County (Region 4) – Enhanced 2-1-1 services for Spanish-speaking residents.
• United Way of Eastern NM (Region 4) – Expanding 2-1-1 across nine counties.
• Ben Initiative (Region 1) – Promoting Indigenous food access in Navajo Nation.
• 100% San Juan (Region 1) – Connecting underserved populations to essential services in San Juan County.
• My Power, Inc. (Region 4) – Expanding youth empowerment programs in Eddy County.

A Lasting Impact

These Rural Community Grants mark Con Alma’s continued dedication to building a healthier New Mexico by empowering local nonprofits to address critical health needs in rural communities. “Having been born and raised in rural New Mexico, I’m well aware of the health equity challenges these communities face. My primary goal in my first year was to ensure that Con Alma’s focus on rural and tribal areas was strongly emphasized.  These grants reflect that commitment.” said Executive Director Linda Candelaria.

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New Mexico, it’s time to celebrate our health heroes! The 2024 Con Alma Heroes of Health nominations are open, and we’re calling on you to help us recognize the incredible individuals who are working tirelessly to improve the health and well-being of our communities. Don’t let their efforts go unnoticed— let’s give them the recognition they deserve!

• Two Award Tracks – Traditional & Youth Heroes
  This year, we’re honoring health champions in two categories:
  • Traditional Hero (Age 26+): For those dedicated individuals making waves in health and wellness across New Mexico.
  • Youth Hero (Age 25 and under): Celebrating the next generation of health advocates already transforming their communities.
    
• Statewide Nominations – Every Community Matters!
  From New Mexico’s vibrant cities to its close-knit rural communities, we want to hear about the everyday heroes who are making a difference. Whether they’re volunteers, clinicians, teachers, or advocates, this is your opportunity to celebrate those who are helping to make New Mexico a healthier, happier place for all.
  
• A $1,000 Donation – For a Cause Close to Their Heart!
  Each selected Hero of Health will get to choose a non-profit to receive a $1,000 donation in their name. This is a chance for them to further their impact by giving back to an organization that matters to them and their community.

For more information
Linda Candelaria-Dodd
Executive Director | Con Alma Health Foundation
505-438-0776 ext 3
Linda@conalma.mgldevs.com | www.conalma.org

About Con Alma Health Foundation
Con Alma Health Foundation serves as a catalyst for positive, systemic change by partnering with nonprofit organizations from around the state to provide equitable access to health resources for New Mexico’s diverse communities.

2023 Heroes of Health Winners

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Two monumental events in Nathan Padilla’s life– his struggles with a cocaine addiction and the birth of his son 24 years ago — led him to his purpose as founder, director and clinician of a substance abuse treatment center in Roswell.

“I get back by helping others, by teaching them different ways to make change happen,” he said. “I do believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

The Roswell native is celebrating the 15th year of the nonprofit he founded, Embrace, which offers family parenting support and mental and behavioral health therapy to ages four and older. Services include the largest outpatient program and the only teen recovery program in a town of almost 50,000 residents in southeastern New Mexico.

And his son – the reason Nathan got sober – is finishing his bachelor’s degree in psychology with the plan of achieving his master’s in social work so he can eventually take over Embrace.

“When I had my son, that’s what told me I needed to change,” said Nathan, a LCSW and president of Con Alma Health Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Nathan raised his son, Nathan Anastacio Padilla, as a single father, devoting his life to family, behavioral health and community service. He gives back through his nonprofit and his volunteer work, supporting the Chaves County Health Council and Chaves County Behavioral Health Committee and as president of the New Mexico Addiction Education Network.

Helping people overcome addictions is personal work for Nathan who struggled to find stability after his dad died when he was 14.  He started working a year later to help support his mom but, in his grief, gravitated toward unhealthy choices and drug use. When his son’s mother was arrested in the first month of baby Nathan’s life, he pledged to become a sober father.

Today he has earned a master’s in social work, a bachelor’s in psychology and pre-med biology, and an associate degree in chemistry. In addition to behavioral health treatment, Embrace partners with the Roadrunner Food Bank to host a mobile food pantry, provides ongoing suicide awareness and training, offers free medical and psychiatric clinics, operates an outreach center for youth, and has worked with the GRADS program for expectant and parenting teens. He received a mentor award from GRADS in 2016.

“I don’t think I can ever go to a store without seeing someone who says, ‘Hi and thank you.’” he said.

His volunteer work with Con Alma has given him opportunities to reach New Mexicans in a broader way, helping choose grants that support people with issues that affect their quality of life, such as stable housing, domestic violence programs, suicide awareness and healthcare legislation for people exposed to radiation in New Mexico.

“I saw the different needs of New Mexico and approaches for addressing those needs,” Nathan said.

He believes Con Alma has made an impact with small and multi-year grants in all corners of the state. This year, the statewide foundation will distribute $1,000,000 ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 grants to support nonprofits in improving health in New Mexico. Nathan is working with board members and staff to plan a bigger impact with the $5 million Mackenzie Scott gift awarded to Con Alma.

In the meantime, he and other family members are caring for his mom who has cancer and is living with him. He’s keeping up with the demand for behavioral health services in Roswell, noting that his work pressures him to be a role model in his community.

“You got to walk a certain way, and it helps me be the best person I can be for my son and for my family and community,” he said.

Congratulations to Nathan Padilla for embracing health and family and community. It’s our pleasure to work with him!

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Twila Rutter has had a unique and varied perspective of health in New Mexico – writing health grants for Curry County, coordinating the local Maternal Child Health Council, working at a home health care agency, overseeing health-care contracts, and serving as a dedicated volunteer of Con Alma Health Foundation.

We have appreciated her presence in meetings and on the Grantmaking committee that makes recommendations on which nonprofits we should fund each year to improve health in New Mexico. She has honored us with her commitment, and now we’d like to take time to honor her.

Twila grew up in Clovis, home to 38,000 people and near Cannon Air Force Base in Eastern New Mexico, where people’s conservative beliefs align closely with their Texas neighbor. She explored life outside of her rural hometown for several years — earning her bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, living in Denver, and teaching English to Japanese stockbrokers in Tokyo.

When she returned to Clovis, she earned her master’s from Eastern New Mexico University and delved into a career focused on health care and volunteer work that supports her community.  She has volunteered for the Clovis branch of the Salvation Army, the Curry County Public Library Board, and New Mexico Health Resources, where she learned more about New Mexico’s difficulties recruiting and retaining health-care professionals.

“So many people have to go to Texas because we don’t have enough providers here, especially in our side of the state,” she said. “We need to do something to encourage providers to come to our state.”

Her career writing grants for Curry County and working in home health care has given her a broad view of health in New Mexico; she understands challenges around health inequities, health-care access, and a lack of insurance payers. She served as regional vice president of Home Health Operations with Interim Healthcare and Hospice before recently assuming a new role overseeing insurance contracts as director of HealthCare Contracts for Empower Services, Interim’s management company.

Twila’s life beyond work includes traveling to places like Paris and the Cayman Islands. She had considered leaving Clovis once her daughter, Tasan, started attending Texas Tech in 2020. Instead, Twila met and married a man who moved to Clovis to be close to his daughter and two grandsons. “Grandchildren rule the world,” she joked, noting that her parents returned to Clovis to be near Tasan years ago.

In her time with Con Alma, she’s made friends with fellow Board members, appreciating that people come together from geographic and philosophical differences to focus on the health needs of New Mexico.

“We’re all New Mexicans, and we all need health care,” she said.

Thank you, Twila, for your commitment to Con Alma and your dedication to community service!

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“Con Alma is the only foundation in New Mexico focused solely on health. We are honored and well-equipped to direct these resources and maximize impact, particularly among communities most in need,” said Denise Herrera, PhD, Con Alma’s Executive Director.

Since its founding in 2001, Con Alma has granted more than $17 million to nonprofits improving health in New Mexico, prioritizing rural and underserved communities. In addition to grantmaking, Con Alma has supported or led coalitions that encourage participation in local and national efforts, such as the U.S. Census and Healthcare Reform.

With this donor gift, Con Alma will develop a strategic initiative aligned with its goal of advancing health equity — when all New Mexicans have equal opportunities for a healthy life, regardless of who they are, where they live, or how much money they make. The Foundation will prioritize addressing the most urgent health needs and will publicly announce when it is ready to accept grant applications in 2024.

“We are living in a different world than before the pandemic—and more inequities continue to emerge each day,” said Nathan Padilla, Con Alma’s Board President. “Ms. Scott’s investment is an opportunity to innovate and invest in long-term solutions to improve health here in New Mexico.”

Con Alma is fortunate to be one of the nonprofits Ms. Scott is supporting since she signed the Giving Pledge in 2019 – a promise by the world’s wealthiest individuals and families to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.

“Accepting this gift, I stand on the shoulders of Con Alma’s founders,” said Herrera. “Our founding leaders, staff, and volunteers positioned the Foundation to leverage external resources, while further strengthening relationships and investments statewide.”

Ms. Scott also drew attention to the Foundation’s work when she announced the gift on Nov. 14, linked here. Ms. Scott’s latest round of philanthropic giving supported at least 20 rural-serving health conversion foundations in the United States and was featured in Inside Philanthropy.

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