Medical Malpractice Debate; FEMA Payout Questioned

This week on New Mexico in Focus, we wade into the debate over changing the state’s medical malpractice laws. House Bill 99 would restrict how much money some people could collect in malpractice lawsuits. The highest-profile supporter of this bill is Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. In an interview with politics correspondent Gwyneth Doland, the governor makes her case for the bill and tells us what she meant when she told the Albuquerque Journal that she’s not leaving office without the change.  

Karen Bateman’s daughter Kelsey died in 2018 as a result of medical malpractice, leaving two young children behind. Hers is one of many voices opposing malpractice reform. Host Nash Jones spoke with Bateman about her concerns: that the proposed changes would lead to less deterrence and accountability for negligent doctors and hospitals. 

Last week, in partnership with New Mexico in Focus, Source New Mexico’s Patrick Lohmann published a story revealing that Jay Mitchell, the director of the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon FEMA claims office, received more than $250,000 in federal relief for claimed smoke damage at his Angel Fire home after the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire . The payment sparked outrage in the Northern New Mexico community, where many are still waiting for federal help. Lohmann and In Focus Reporter Cailley Chella went to Angel Fire to get answers from Mitchell and for the area’s communities who are demanding accountability. 

Last month, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman made waves when he penned a letter to federal immigration authorities, threatening to prosecute ICE agents who detain people without legal justification in his jurisdiction. Alex Uballez, a former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, sat down with Executive Producer Jeff Proctor to discuss whether Bregman’s threat holds any legal weight.  

A new “structured literacy” program has made its way into many classrooms across the state and, according to Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, is already producing success. Stewart tells Gwyneth why she is pushing a bill that would lean more heavily on the program to teach children to read. 

Some teachers in the state are already using a “structured literacy” approach, thanks in large part to Project ECHO — a tele-mentoring program based at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Soraya Gollop leads its education division. She recently chatted with Senior Producer Lou DiVizio about how the teaching program works.  

Environmental activists Clara Sims and Desirée Bernard walked from Carlsbad to Santa Fe to support a bill that would cement the governor’s climate and pollution goals into law. Capital and Main reporter Jerry Redfern spoke with the pair about their pilgrimage. 

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Host: Nash Jones

Segments: 
Gov. Lujan Grisham on Medical Malpractice Reform 
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland 
Guest: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, (D), New Mexico 

Parent of Malpractice Victim Questions Proposed Changes 
Correspondent: Nash Jones 
Guest: Karen Bateman, Mother of Medical Malpractice Victim 

Payout to FEMA Claims Director Sparks Outrage in Northern NM 
Reporter: Cailley Chella 
Correspondent: Patrick Lohmann 
Guests: Jacqueline Ortiz, Fire Victim 
Mike Salazar, Fire Victim 
Lorenza Ortiz, Fire Victim 
Jay Mitchell, Director, Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon FEMA Office 
Lisa Mitchell, Wife of Jay Mitchell 
Michael Martinez, Jay Mitchell’s Neighbor 
Yolanda Cruz, Community Advocate and Fire Victim 
Sara Jo Mathews, Owner, Borracho’s Craft Booze and Brews 
Anita Vigil, Fire Victim 
Andrew Vigil, Fire Victim 
Laura Silva, Community Advocate and Fire Victim 

District Attorney Bregman Threatens to Prosecute ICE Agents 
Correspondent: Jeff Proctor 
Guest: Alexander Uballez, Former U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico 

Sen. Stewart Says ‘Structured Literacy’ Program Already a Success 
Correspondent: Gwyneth Doland 
Guest: NM Sen. Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque 

How NM Classrooms Teach ‘Structured Literacy’  
Correspondent: Lou DiVizio 
Guest: Dr. Soraya Gollop, Ph.D., Education Team Director, ECHO Institute 

Environmental Activists Take Pilgrimage to Santa Fe 
Correspondent: Jerry Redfern 
Guests: Clara Sims, Environmental Activist 
Desirée Bernard, Environmental Activist