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NMOTA Advocacy
Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP)
Updated on 6/2/2026 by Legislative Chair Gerri Duran
House Bill 66 (HB 66), sponsored by Representatives Christine Chandler, Natalie Figueroa, and Eleanor Chávez, was diligently lobbied for by NMOTA lobbyist, Linda Siegle. This bill was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and resulted in the formation and enactment of the Health Professional Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP). The purpose of the HPLRP is to provide repayment for outstanding student loans of practicing health professionals; occupational therapy is included in the HPLRP. As a condition of the program, a health professional must make a service commitment to practice in New Mexico.
The HPLRP is a competitive program and application to the program does not guarantee funding. The online application will be online starting June 1, 2026, and will close promptly on July 31, 2026, at 11:59pm. Please do not be left out of the application process!
Here is the link for the HPLRP: https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/loan-repayment-programs
The New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association: When NMOTA succeeds, we all succeed! Please make sure that your membership is current by visiting www.nmota.org today!
2026 Legislative Session Update and Calls for Action
Updated February, 2026 by Legislative Chair Gerri Duran
Dear Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Students,
The 2026 30-day legislative session was fruitful in some ways and, in other ways, provided us with guidance to move legislation forward for the 2027 60-day session. In this update you will find a status report of legislation that affected or had the potential to affect occupational therapy. PLEASE, keep scrolling for information for contacting the Governor Lujan Grisham. March 11, 2026 is the deadline for her signature!
Developmental Disabilities Waiver (DDW) OT Pay Parity: As you have read in recent posts on the NMOTA Advocacy page, for the past year, OT services were reimbursed as much as 21% less than PT and Speech Therapy; this was due to faulty methodology from a previous rate study for DDW providers. While it is likely that there will be reimbursement parity between OT, PT, and SLP services beginning in 2027, OT was still going to be paid 21% less than PTs until July, 2027. One of the most significant victories happened due to the willingness of HCA Secretary Kari Armijo to insert 3.7 million into the Executive Budget to fix the pay disparity for OT services for DDW; this was removed by the House in HB2. BUT, when it moved to Senate Finance Committee, Senator Michael Padilla returned the 3.7 million back into HB2 and the amount was specified for OT pay parity BEGINNING IN JULY 2026!
NMOTA is incredibly grateful to Secretary Armijo, Senator Padilla, and members of the Senate Finance Committee for returning this money back into HB2 for DDW OT. We are also grateful to those of you who flooded the Senate Finance Committee asking them to support the amendment! Senate Finance Committee Senators: Benny Shendo, Jr., Craig Brandt, Pete Campos, Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales, Steve Lanier, Jeff Steinborn, Nicole Tobiassen, Linda Trujillo, and Pat Woods. I think it would be marvelous if you would email these Senators to thank them for keeping the money in HB2 (it was impressive to hear one of the Senators comment about how many calls/emails he had received about this amendment; he did not know there were that may OTPs in New Mexico!).
Thanking Additional Legislators: If you are so inclined, please consider emailing the following legislators to thank them for their support:
- Senator Sedillo-Lopez: Please thank her for sponsoring the Certificate of Appreciation for Occupational Therapy, which was read on the Senate Floor and who welcomed many OTPs and OT students to the Senate Floor.
- Senator Pat Woods: Please thank him for introducing Melodye Thomas and Chesney Hatch on the Senate Floor
Additional Legislation directly affecting occupational therapy and our consumers - THIS REQUIRES YOUR ACTION BEFORE MARCH 11, 2026! (SEE "CALL FOR ACTION" BELOW)
- HB 66, is a loan repayment Bill which includes occupational therapy; here is a link to read more about this Bill: Legislation - New Mexico Legislature.
- HB 38, ensures coverage of prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, and activity chairs and here is the link for this bill: Legislation - New Mexico Legislature .
HB13. As anticipated, our OT compact Bill did not pass. However, we are appreciative of Representative Liz Thompson again sponsoring our OT Compact Bill - thank you, Representative Thompson!
CALL FOR ACTION!
Please contact Governor Michele Lujan Grisham, asking her to sign HB38 and HB66. DEADLINE for her signature is March 11, 2026.
There are multiple ways to contact the governor and here are the options:
Telephone: Call the governor's office and leave your name and bill # in support with reception. (505) 476-2200
Snail mail letter: The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
490 Old Santa Fe Trail Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Here is a sample letter that you can send:
Dear Governor Lujan Grisham,
I am writing to ask you to sign HB 38, which ensures coverage of prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, and activity chairs. In addition, I am asking that you sign HB 66, the loan repayment bill which includes occupational therapy.
Sincerely,
(your name and credentials)
Thank you Legislative Committee! - Successes on Legislative Day, 2026
- More than 30 OTPs from across NM came to Santa Fe to represent our profession - thank you NM OTs, OTAs and OT Students!
- In small teams the OTP advocates delivered information about the OT Compact and to to EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATOR
- The OT Compact has passed in the house and is awaiting hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee
- In the opening of the senate, NMOTA and the OT profession were recognized in front of a packed chamber and gallery: https://youtu.be/al1zqEccT3U?si=JPCcJbIyxCKYnRUX
- NMOTA and the Occupational Therapy profession was recognized and acknowledged by the senate
Get Excited - Day of Event for 1/30/2026
We have a master plan to deliver information about the OT Compact and OT-on: the Rural Health Care Tax Credit to EVERY SINGLE LEGISLATOR.
Resource for our day:
Some things to know about the event.
Location: The Open Circle - 645 Webber Street Santa Fe, NM 87505
Parking: Park on the street on Webber St. and the surrounding neighborhood
Dress: Please wear comfortable, business-like clothing. Dress in layers as Santa Fe is cold, the Open Circle may feel cool inside in the AM. The roundhouse will feel very warm. Please wear comfortable walking shoes as we will walk several blocks together from the Open Circle to roundhouse
Bring: A water bottle, a pen, a nametag
Lunch: In order to allow the best flexibility for our advocacy efforts, and so that we can gather together when the senate session begins (time to be determined on 1/30), we did not schedule a lunch break. You may take breaks at any time. Please bring snacks or a lunch if it feels best to you. Restaurants around the capital building can be jam-packed during the legislative session.
Connect: We'll use our Signal Advocacy Group to stay connected during the day
1. Download Signal and follow prompts to set up
2. Use this code or scan the QR below to join the NMOTA group - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/signal-private-messenger/id874139669
3. Text the group through the Signal App. Legislative updates and timely calls to action will be posted here
CEUs/Agenda: If you are a licensed OTP and NMOTA member, Mary will send you a CEU form after the event. Please keep track of how much time you spend in NMOTA advocacy efforts so that you can get credit for your full time. Full Agenda Link: 2026 Legislative Day Agenda
Join us for Legislative Day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on 1/30/2026.
NMOTA organizes this event to celebrate and advocate for our profession - make your voice heard!
RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/SYEB4hpCyQnFgjZm6 2026 Bills Link: Active Bills affecting/influencing occupational therapy
Agenda - 9:00am to 3:00pm: After a short legislative briefing, participants will have an opportunity to attend the opening of the NM Senate and the NM House, voice their opinions at committee meetings, and locate their state representatives to advocate for legislation that affects the ability of New Mexicans to engage in their occupations. Full Agenda Link: 2026 Legislative Day Agenda
If you are unable to attend OT Day at the Legislature but would like for NMOTA to hand-deliver a letter to your state Representative and Senator, or to simply ask your legislator to support legislation for which NMOTA is advocating, please contact [email protected] and NMOTA will make certain to deliver your correspondence/wishes
All OTs, OTAs, and OT/OTA students in the state of NM may participate. NMOTA member OTPs can earn up to 6 free CEUs.
Join us for Legislative Day at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe on 1/30/2026.
NMOTA organizes this event to celebrate and advocate for our profession - make your voice heard!
RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/SYEB4hpCyQnFgjZm6 Link: Active Bills affecting/influencing occupational therapy
Agenda - 9:00am to 3:00pm: After a short legislative briefing, participants will have an opportunity to attend the opening of the NM Senate and the NM House, voice their opinions at committee meetings, and locate their state representatives to advocate for legislation that affects the ability of New Mexicans to engage in their occupations. Full Agenda Link: 2026 Legislative Day Agenda
All OTs, OTAs, and OT/OTA students in the state of NM may participate. NMOTA member OTPs can earn up to 6 free CEUs.
Also - Do you have experiences with malpractice (good or bad) that you can share with Legislative Chair Gerri Duran? If so, please e-mail her at [email protected].
Want more updates?
Join our signal advocacy group:
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Provide comment by 12/19/2025 for the HCA DDSD Rate Study
- The New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) is in the process of reviewing payment rates for services covered under the Developmental Disabilities, Mi Via, and Medically Fragile Waivers. Burns & Associates, a division of Health Management Associates (HMA-Burns), has been contracted to assist with this effort.
- Link to Proposed Reimbursement Rates: https://nmota.starchapter.com/images/downloads/Documents/nm_ddsd_hcbs_rate_models__proposed_.pdf
- Link to HCA Presentation: https://nmota.org/images/downloads/Documents/nm_ddsd_hcbs_rate_study_recommendations___presentation.pdf
- DDSD and HMA-Burns want to hear from community stakeholders before finalizing payment rate recommendations. HMA-Burns encourages all interested stakeholders to review the attached proposed rate models and provide written comments. A presentation that overviews the rate study, rate study methodology, and rate recommendations is also attached for review.
- Additional materials will be published to the website that has been established for this rate study by Monday, December 8, 2025, including a webinar that walks through the attached presentation, provider survey results, and time study analyses. A separate communication will be sent when all materials are available.
- Written comments should be submitted to DDSD-Rate-Study@
healthmanagement.com . Providers are encouraged to provide detailed feedback and any supplemental information they would like to support their feedback. Please submit your comments no later than end of day on December 19th, 2025.
July 24, 2025 - Invite Your Legislators
Hello NM OTs and OTAs - the NMOTA Ellen Reavis Legislative Soiree on 8/22 is an opportunity to invite our legislators to come to us to discuss our needs and priorities. Please consider forwarding the information below to your state representative and senator.
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As one of your constituents, I am inviting you to attend the New Mexico Occupational Therapy Association's annual Ellen Reavis Legislative Soiree, which will be held on August 22nd, from 5:00pm - 7:00pm. at 5151 Journal Center Blvd. ABQ, NM 87109.
Hors d'oeuvres and a Cash Bar will be provided. There will be an exciting silent auction for student scholarships.
This annual event is an opportunity for Legislators to speak with their constituents and learn about the life-changing profession of occupational therapy. We would greatly appreciate your attendance and hope that you will RSVP with a hearty, "Yes!"
Please RSVP to Gerri Duran, the NMOTA Legislative Chair if you can attend at [email protected].
July 10, 2025 - NMOTA Legislative Advocacy Survey
NM OTPs - Gerri Duran, Chair of the NMOTA Legislative Committee needs to know your opinion about vital legislative issues. Please spend 5-7 minutes to complete the survey at the link below so that the NMOTA Legislative Committee can use the information to focus NM legislative priorities.
Link to NMOTA Legislative Survey
July 3, 2025 - Grant County Town Hall on July 17
Over the past several weeks, Emily Kaltenbach as Cabinet Secretary of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) has visited senior centers around the state. Secretary Kaltenbach and all members of the Governor's cabinet will be at the Grant County Conference Center followed by a Town Hall in Silver City on July 17.
March 7, 2025: Update on priority occupational therapy legislation
HB 52: Rural Health Care Tax Credit Eligibility: temporarily tabled in House Taxation and Revenue Committee - waiting to see if there will be an omnibus tax bill for it to be included. Contact House Taxation and Revenue Committee members to put rural tax credit HB52 in the bill.
HB81: OT Compact: Passed Both House Committees and House of Representatives; Currently in Senate Judiciary - email or call Senate Judiciary Committee Members.
HB 70: Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver Act: Currently scheduled for tomorrow, March 7th in House Appropriations & Finance Committee - attend committee to show your support.
February 28, 2025: Update Regarding the DDW Payrate from Ad hoc Committee Chair Gerri Duran:
There is not a legislative body or committee that can make the necessary DDW rate changes in order to correct the payrate discrepancies for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). It is only the HCA who can change the rates. No Bill, Act, Amendment, etc., can help with this; only the Health Care Authority (HCA) can correct the discrepancy.
That being said, our NMOTA Lobbyist, Linda Siegle, assisted by State Senator Stefanics, have spoken with HCA Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo and, as a result, HCA Cabinet Secretary Armijo has promised to meet with NMOTA DDW experts after the conclusion of the 2025 Legislative session to develop a plan to rectify the payrate discrepancy. And, equally important, to discuss the faulty methodology used by the Public Consulting Group (PCG) when they current OTP payrate.
On behalf of all OTPs in NM, we thank you for contacting New Mexico legislators and Secretary Armijo to request the correction of the existing payrate for DDW OTPs and to correct PCG methodology.
Further Call-to-Action for the DDW Payrate Initiative will be posted on this NMOTA Advocacy site/link.
DD Waiver Pay Discrepancy
The Legislative Committee and numerous NMOTA members have been working to address the recent pay discrepancy in which the wage for occupational therapy practitioners was raised to a lower rate than for other allied health professionals. Please find below a link to NMOTA documents that describe the circumstances of the pay discrepancy and the ongoing NMOTA response. :
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- NMOTA Pay Rate Position Paper CLICK HERE
- NMOTA Pay Rate Discrepancy Talking Points CLICK HERE
- Pay Rate Discrepancy Talking Points MTG Response CLICK HERE
- Top Reasons the OT Pay Discrepancy Harms New Mexicans with I/DD CLICK HERE
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NMOTA Advocacy
On February 10, more than 50 occupational therapy practitioners and students attended a day of advocacy at the Round House.
Our advocacy work is not over, Here is a list compiled by the Legislative Committee of legislation that affects occupational therapy practice. 2025 Legislation Information
Your OT Elevator Speech
Being able to describe the distinct value of occupational therapy to a legislator is an important advocacy skill. Please see the information below from the American Occupational Therapy Association for ideas.
What to say when someone asks "what is occupational therapy?"
Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to participate in daily living or live better with injury, illness, or disability. This is accomplished through designing strategies for everyday living and customizing environments to develop and maximize potential.
By taking the full picture into account—a person's psychological, physical, emotional, and social make-up—occupational therapy assists people in:
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- Achieving their goals
- Functioning at the highest possible level
- Concentrating on what matters most to them
- Maintaining or rebuilding their independence
- Participating in the everyday activities that they need to do or that simply make life worth living
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are experts in helping people perform the occupations they need and want to do every day.
For more information about the distinct value of occupational therapy, please see: https://nmota.org/What_is_Occupational_Therapy_
2025 NMOTA Legislative Day
Thank you to the OT Practitioners and students who attended on February 10. More than 40 occupational therapy students and 12 OT and OTA members attended the event. Members earned 4.5 CEUs for attending the event.
