New Mexico’s $400,000 Campaign Aims to Recruit Texas Doctors Affected by Abortion Ban
Dr. R. Todd Ivey, an OBGYN practicing in Houston, Texas, recently received an unexpected letter from New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The letter, which appeared in full-page ads across major Texas newspapers, invited Texas healthcare providers to consider relocating to New Mexico due to the state’s restrictive abortion laws.
Lujan Grisham expressed sympathy for Texas doctors affected by the state’s stringent abortion regulations and extended an offer to those feeling constrained by these policies. “It must be distressing that a draconian abortion ban has restricted your right to practice and turned it into a political weapon,” she wrote. The governor highlighted New Mexico’s commitment to medical freedom and its efforts to protect abortion rights, contrasting it with Texas’s strict regulations.
The $400,000 campaign, titled “Free to Provide,” aims to recruit healthcare providers from Texas, where abortion access has become highly restricted. As part of this initiative, New Mexico has also placed six billboards around Houston Medical Center to attract attention.
Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for New Mexico’s health department, explained that the state is facing a healthcare provider shortage and sees the campaign as a way to address this issue. The influx of patients seeking abortion care due to Texas’s restrictive policies has further strained New Mexico’s healthcare system.
Abortion in New Mexico is legal at any stage of pregnancy, and the state’s shield law protects abortion providers from legal repercussions when caring for out-of-state patients. In contrast, Texas implemented a near-total abortion ban in 2022, allowing exceptions only in cases of medical emergencies, though what constitutes an emergency is not clearly defined. Violations of this law can result in severe penalties, including fines up to $100,000, loss of medical licenses, and potential prison time.
Dr. Ivey, who has been vocal about the difficulties imposed by Texas’s abortion laws, noted that he personally knows several doctors who have either retired or moved to states with less restrictive policies. Despite these challenges, Ivey has chosen to stay and advocate for policy changes in Texas. “We should be able to practice evidence-based, quality care without fear of legal repercussions,” he stated. “Relocation is not an option for me.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office dismissed New Mexico’s campaign as a “stunt.” Spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris suggested that people are moving to Texas rather than away, and criticized Governor Lujan Grisham for focusing on Texas’s policies rather than addressing issues in her own state.
In response to New Mexico’s outreach, Texas Democratic State Rep. Vikki Goodwin expressed concern about the potential loss of skilled OBGYNs due to restrictive laws. She emphasized the need to retain healthcare providers and address the challenges posed by the current policies.
Doctors are leaving states with abortion bans
Research from the Association of American Medical Colleges indicates that states with abortion bans, including Texas, have seen a decrease in residency applications compared to states where abortion remains legal. New Mexico, with its two medical schools, is actively seeking to address its own healthcare provider shortage.
The situation in Texas has been further highlighted by recent high-profile cases, including a December 2023 instance where a patient was denied an abortion despite significant health risks. The Texas Supreme Court’s involvement and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s threats of severe penalties have exacerbated concerns among healthcare providers.
Dr. Kimberly Pilkinton, president of the Texas Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, expressed disappointment over the campaign and its potential impact on physician retention. The Association opposes policies that interfere with the patient-physician relationship and calls for revisions to the state’s abortion laws.
Dr. Ivey, a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hopes that doctors will join him in advocating for policy reforms rather than relocating. “My heart is in Texas, and I want to stay here,” he said. “The women of Texas need us. They need good care.”