Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced an initiative last Sunday to encourage Texas doctors to consider relocating to neighboring New Mexico in an effort to combat what she called “draconian anti-abortion laws” in the state.
The governor took out full-page ads in five major Texas newspapers last Sunday to appeal directly to Texas health care workers, including an “open letter” to “Texas health care workers” in which they were welcome to practice medicine in New Mexico without restrictions.
“We know that Texas’ legal restrictions on medical care place enormous burdens on doctors, especially those who are prohibited by law from providing any reproductive care. It is heartbreaking to see draconian anti-abortion laws limit doctors’ right to practice medicine and turn it into a political weapon,” Dr. Lujan Grisham wrote in the open letter.
“I certainly respect your continued dedication to treating patients in Texas, but if these restrictions are no longer tolerable, I urge you to consider opening your practice in neighboring New Mexico,” she added.
Lujan Grisham said she is “taking steps” to ensure New Mexico does not follow Texas’ lead and pass restrictive abortion laws.
“I will never violate the fundamental rights of health care workers who care for patients in New Mexico. Whether you are a nurse, resident, physician assistant or doctor, we wholeheartedly and enthusiastically invite you to a land of enchantment where you are free to care for patients,” she ended her letter.
Texas is One of the most restrictive The move would change abortion laws across the country to ban abortions in nearly all circumstances. Private citizens could sue health care providers and people who assist women seeking abortions at about six weeks into a pregnancy. Texas is one of 22 states in the country with abortion bans or restrictions that are stricter than the standards set out in Roe v. Wade, which was overturned in 2022.
Lujan Grisham’s letter is part of a larger effort called the “Free to Provide” campaign, which launched in July behind six billboards set up around the Houston Medical Center. said“Come to New Mexico where you can serve freely.”
Andrew Maharelis, a spokesman for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, responded to the effort in a statement to CNN.
“People and businesses are voting with their feet and continue to choose to relocate to Texas over any other state in the country. Gov. Lujan Grisham should focus on the state’s rapidly declining population, not political machinations,” Maharelis told CNN.
The Hill has reached out to Abbott’s office for comment.
