New Mexico Launches Campaign to Lure Texas Healthcare Professionals
Our neighbors to the west, specifically the State of New Mexico, have launched a bold initiative to attract healthcare professionals from Texas. The “Free to Provide” campaign, costing $400,000 over four weeks, includes strategic placements like billboards in the Houston Medical Center and full-page ads in major newspapers across Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.
While the political landscape may play a role, New Mexico’s Secretary of Health, Patrick Allen, emphasizes that the primary objective is to address the state’s ongoing healthcare worker shortage. Allen states, “We’re a state that needs more of everything, everywhere in terms of providers. We’re trying to make a pitch to providers in Texas that they don’t need to look over their shoulder and worry about a DA or a sheriff second-guessing their medical judgment.”
For now, the campaign is exclusively targeting Texas. However, Allen hints at the possibility of extending it or expanding to other states if proven effective.
In light of recent restrictive legislation in Texas, such as the “heartbeat bill,” which restricts abortions, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, New Mexico has experienced a surge in Texans seeking healthcare services. Notably, New Mexico provides an estimated 14,000 abortions annually to Texans, along with an increase in gender-affirming care and comprehensive reproductive healthcare options.
Allen highlights the importance of access to care for emergencies like miscarriages, emphasizing the necessity of local healthcare services. New Mexico’s proactive campaign aims to address these gaps and provide a welcoming environment for healthcare professionals seeking opportunities beyond state borders.