Many of the new laws concern health care in New Mexico. Here’s a rundown of some of the key laws going into effect.
SANTA FE, N.M. — A New Year means new laws and eight new laws are going into effect in New Mexico for 2026, many of which focus on health care in the state.
Cost-sharing eliminated for behavioral health services
Senate Bill 120 eliminates cost sharing – paying out-of-pocket beyond your monthly premiums – for behavioral health services for certain plans.
The law doesn’t apply to:
Benefit plans provided under the Short-Term Health Plan and Excepted Benefit ActCatastrophic plans or “essential health benefits package” laid out in U.S. CodeHigh-deductible plans with health savings accounts until the deductible has been met
Among the behavioral health services referred to in the bill are inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, outpatient therapy and medications. Page five of the bill lays out all of the behavioral health services the new law applies to:
Health care costs and treatment in New Mexico
Three bills signed into law concern overall health care costs:
House Bill 174 requires insurance provided under the Health Care Purchasing Act to reimburse pharmacies for the full cost of prescription drugs.Senate Bill 249 requires health care providers to be reimbursed for gross receipts taxes, in regard to contracted health care services.House Bill 78 prohibits discrimination against entities participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program that is aimed at providing prescription drugs at a discount.
Meanwhile, House Bill 233 will require insurance providers to cover necessary medical equipment used to treat diabetic foot ulcers. This includes:
Blood glucose monitors and test stripsInsulinInjection aidsSyringesPrescriptive oral agents for controlling blood sugar levels,“Medically necessary podiatric appliances”Glucagon emergency kits
The bill entitles people with diabetes to certain health care benefits, including therapy and treatments.
House Bill 171 will allow custodial care facilities to acquire and have controlled substances on hand for substance withdrawal management. Facilities can do this as long as a consulting pharmacist is supervising and a nursing staff is working around the clock:
House Bill 296 requiring accounting practitioners from other states and places to have license requirements “comparable to” or exceeding New Mexico’s requirements:
Senate Bill 353 lays out the response protocols for federal, state, local or tribal agencies to follow when they call upon the New Mexico Search and Rescue for search and rescue emergencies.