Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I’m reaching out about the 2024 election season. I am excited to share that I am seeking re-election. During the past four years, common sense, problem solving, and individual human dignity have been my guides as your Senator.
Thank you for your support. Now I ask for your support again in helping me get on the ballot. If you live in Senate District 20 please sign the petition before March 10, 2024 so I may again be a candidate.
During my time representing you I sponsored more than 50 bills, but to make this readable, I’m going to summarize and touch on the areas I am most proud of impacting:
Medical Malpractice and Physician Retention (SB 523): Changes in the medical malpractice law from the 2021 session put reasonable malpractice coverage for physicians and patients at serious risk. This has led many physicians to question remaining in the state. After engaging in long and arduous negotiations, including with Governor Lujan Grisham, a much better bill was developed that is fair to all parties and is sustainable. During the interim, I will be developing other priorities and legislation to attract and retain physicians. Finally, I want to give a bi-partisan shout out to the senate majority and minority leaders, and the governor, for their constructive facilitation.
Mental Health Access and Provider Payment (SB 273): Based on extensive research funded from the 2022 session, this bill will substantially address key issues that impact New Mexico’s overwhelming epidemic of mental health and substance use disorders. After implementation, commercially insured patients with these afflictions will have unfiltered access to behavioral health services, providers, and medication. Also, as there is a major shortage of behavioral health professionals in the state, the bill will also significantly raise payments to these providers to retain them and attract additional professionals at all levels. There will be similar regulations for Medicaid patients based on this law’s regulations. Medicare, unfortunately, requires federal legislation.
Crime and Gun Safety (SB 2, HB 9, HB 234, HB 357): These bills add an additional $137 million appropriation for local and state crime enforcement activities, and for the recruitment and retention of law officers. (SB 2) provides for substantial judicial salary increases to enhance judicial capacity and workflow. (HB 234) closes a loophole and cracks down on organized robbery crews. (HB 9) was drafted by our new Representative Pamelya Herndon, who’s district is within our Senate District 20, and provides for common sense safe storage of firearms in homes to protect children from tragic accidents.
Economic Development (SB 382, SB 402): These two bills appropriated an additional $40 million for venture capital start-ups, and for private-public partnerships that fund local bioscience technology and entrepreneurship. These are also job bills as the new companies will create multilevel higher paying jobs and will require these new businesses to stay in New Mexico during development and growth. These and similar programs will also enhance the diversification of our economy as energy creation begins to shift from gas and oil in 5 to 10 years.
Individual Security and Integrity (HB 7, SB 13): These are the Reproductive and Gender Affirming Health Care Freedom and Protection Acts which protects women’s reproductive rights, an individual’s rights to gender affirming care, local and interstate confidentiality, and protection from abusive litigation. I was honored to help shape these bills as a member of the Health and Public Affairs Committee and on the senate floor.
Vaping and Nicotine Prevention for Youth (SB 235, SB 130, SB178, SB 179): Unfortunately, only one bill passed which enlarges the Tobacco Settlement Reserve Fund to spin off more earnings for prevention activities. This bill and the others are primarily aimed at youth prevention of vaping and nicotine. As of the latest survey in 2019, 34% of high school teens, and 10% of middle school youth are already vaping. As vaping and nicotine are the “gateway to addiction” drugs and continue to rapidly grow in uptake by our youth, I will re-introduce stronger legislation in the next session. The Tobacco Lobby succeeded in killing most of this life saving legislation this session.
Capital Outlay and Direct Government Agency Support:
• District Public Schools, Libraries, Parks, Sports Facilities and Trails - $500,000
• Albuquerque Area Culture and Arts Improvements - $500,000
• Charter Schools - $220,000
• CNM Venture Studio - $80,000
• Youth Programs and Shelter, Homeless Housing, Rehabilitation Services, Veterans Housing - $1,000,000
• UNM School of Public Health Building Construction - $1,500,000
• UNM Health Sciences Center New Health Programs Development - $550,000
• Patient Protection and Access Oversight - $320,000
• Implementation of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Act - $1,000,000
Once again, I am proud of what my colleagues and I were able to accomplish during my first term. My background as a physician and healthcare CEO has been valuable at the Roundhouse. It is truly my honor to serve you and the people of New Mexico. I will always be guided by problem solving, common sense, the best interest of the public, and the human dignity of each and every individual.
Feel free to contact me at: Martin@SenatorMartinHickey.com. Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Martin Hickey, MD
NM State Senator
Senate District 20