Bill > HB15

This bill, titled the Medical Injury Collaborative Resolution Act, establishes a process for patients and healthcare providers to discuss adverse health care outcomes, which are defined as undesirable experiences during patient care resulting in death or injury. It allows for "adverse outcome conferences," formal meetings where a patient (or their representative if the patient is a minor, deceased, or incapacitated) and a healthcare provider can have an open conversation about what happened. Importantly, statements made during these conferences are confidential and cannot be used to establish fault, negligence, or to limit damages, though statements made outside of the conference do not receive this protection. If a healthcare provider offers compensation, it must remain open for at least fifteen days, and any settlement reached must be formally agreed upon and may require court approval. The bill also outlines how these conferences can be initiated, with either the healthcare provider or the patient providing written notice, and includes information about the patient's rights, such as accessing medical records and seeking legal counsel, and clarifies that participating in these conferences does not pause or extend the time limit for filing a lawsuit.

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https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legtype=B&legno=15&year=26