The Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News reports, legislation sponsored by New Mexico state Rep. Terry McMillan, R-Las Cruces, aims to temporarily resolve an issue with medical malpractice lawsuits against Texas phyicians by New Mexico patients, as was the case for a woman who sued her Texas physician in her state because of how restrictive Texas is in protecting physicians working for the state. The legislation is seen as a compromise while the New Mexico Supreme Court considers the woman’s case. Following her lawsuit, Texas physicians had threatened to stop providing treatment to New Mexicans. The article reports, “the amended bill now allows doctors in other states to request patients to sign a form stating that they would file any lawsuits in the state where the treatment was provided, and the court would have to respect that, McMillan said.” The bill will sunset in three years, giving the court enough time to decide on the lawsuit.
From the news release of the American Association for Justice.
