Rep. Gabe Vasquez Pushes Bill to Bring More Doctors and Specialists to New Mexico’s Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 9, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) cosponsored the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, a bill that would make it easier for New Mexicans to see the doctors and specialists they need by increasing the health care workforce.

“New Mexicans shouldn’t have to spend hours driving, or weeks waiting, just to see a doctor or medical specialist when they’re sick,” said Vasquez. “Bringing more doctors to our state to finish their training is a commonsense solution that targets shortages so New Mexicans can stay healthier with quality care close to home.”

The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act will expand Medicare-supported medical residencies by 14,000 positions over the next seven years. Increasing residency opportunities will combat health care worker shortages by boosting the number of trained physicians who enter the workforce to serve New Mexicans. 

Studies show that medical residents who spend 50% or more of their training time in rural settings are at least five times more likely to later practice medicine in a rural community. New Mexico needs more doctors — especially in rural areas — and this bill will help address one of the root causes of the provider shortage.

Representative Vasquez has worked tirelessly to improve health care access for New Mexicans and boost the health care workforce in rural communities. His efforts include:

• Opposing the Republican tax law, which is putting rural hospitals across southern New Mexico at risk of closing, all in order to pay for tax breaks to billionaires. 
• Cosponsoring the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act to expand medical education pathway programs that train and place physicians in rural communities.
• Supporting the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, a bill that reauthorizes and expands the Conrad State 30 program to allow foreign-trained physicians to remain in the U.S. if they agree to practice in rural or medically underserved communities.
• Cosponsoring the Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act to align state and federal regulations allowing Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to practice independently or with reduced supervision to address provider shortages in rural areas.

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