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U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury visits with rural New Mexicans, April 2024 (FB)

” data-medium-file=”https://nmpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/491810708_997513529237418_4759881923181675098_n-e1750078893406-300×225.jpg” data-large-file=”https://sandoval.nm.news/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/491810708_997513529237418_4759881923181675098_n-e1750078893406-1024×769-1.jpg” />U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury visits with rural New Mexicans, April 2024 (FB)” data-medium-file=”https://nmpoliticalreport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2025/06/491810708_997513529237418_4759881923181675098_n-e1750078893406-300×225.jpg” data-large-file=”https://sandoval.nm.news/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/491810708_997513529237418_4759881923181675098_n-e1750078893406-1024×769-1.jpg” />

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) is advocating for enhanced healthcare access in New Mexico’s rural and Indigenous communities. During a recent Indian and Insular Affairs Subcommittee hearing, Stansbury championed her bill, the IHS Provider Expansion Act.

The legislation aims to establish an Office of Graduate Medical Education Programs within the Indian Health Service (IHS). This initiative seeks to expand the existing IHS Residency Program, drawing inspiration from the Shiprock-University of New Mexico (SUNM) Family Medicine Residency, the first of its kind in the nation.

“Access to healthcare should not be determined by history or geography,” Stansbury said. “The IHS Provider Expansion Act is a vital step towards ensuring that Native and Indigenous communities can access healthcare and grow the number of medical professionals serving Native communities. By investing in medical education within the Indian Health Service, we can help expand healthcare and bridge the gap in healthcare disparities that have persisted for far too long.” 

Dr. Adriann Begay from the Navajo Nation HEAL Initiative testified in support of the legislation. Begay,

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This story originally is republished from NM Political Report. Keep reading here (free).