SB 30 Advances: Lawmakers Admit Abortion Reporting Law Is Being Ignored — Vote to Erase It Instead

By Bud Shaver,

​Santa Fe, New Mexico — Senate Democrats advanced Senate Bill 30 (SB 30) along party lines after openly acknowledging that New Mexico’s abortion reporting statute — one of the only abortion-related laws still on the books — has not been enforced since 2019.

Rather than address years of non-enforcement or strengthen public accountability, lawmakers chose to repeal the law entirely, eliminating abortion reporting requirements without replacement.

During committee discussion, bill sponsor Sen. Peter Wirth described the reporting statute as “over 50 years old” and “out of date,” while conceding that New Mexico is one of the only states that still requires abortion data reporting by law.

Instead of enforcing the law, the Legislature voted to erase it.

Transparency Eliminated, Not Reformed

SB 30 repeals New Mexico’s abortion reporting requirement contained in the state’s vital statistics law and replaces it with nothing:​

• No alternative reporting
• No safeguards
• No accountability mechanism​

“SB 30 does not improve healthcare.
It does not protect patients.
It does not reform reporting.
SB 30 eliminates transparency.”
— Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Abortion Free New Mexico

Questionable Medicaid Claim by Planned Parenthood Representative Raises Additional Transparency Concerns

During the same hearing, a regional director of government affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains challenged testimony from Tara Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico, after she stated that New Mexico Medicaid uses taxpayer funds to fully cover elective abortions, including late-term abortions that can cost up to $17,500, asserting instead that Medicaid places a $750 cap on abortion services in New Mexico and citing the state’s  All-Payer Claims Database (APCD)  in support of that claim.

Abortion Free New Mexico notes that this assertion is not reflected in statute, Medicaid benefit manuals, or published state coverage policy, and that the APCD is a claims data repository — not a regulatory authority that establishes coverage limits, caps, or reimbursement ceilings.

“The All-Payer Claims Database collects claims data; it does not set Medicaid policy or impose caps,” said Tara Shaver, spokeswoman for Abortion Free New Mexico.

“When conflicting claims are presented while lawmakers are being asked to eliminate abortion reporting altogether, that only reinforces why transparency matters.”

Public Funding Requires Public Accountability

Shaver emphasized that New Mexico uses taxpayer dollars, including Medicaid funds, to pay for elective abortions, and that costs can vary significantly based on gestational age and medical complexity.

“In the third trimester, an abortion can cost as much as $17,500,” Shaver said.
“When public money is being used, the public has a right to basic transparency — to know what their money is funding, where it is going, and what outcomes are occurring.”

“If a hard cap truly existed, it would be clearly stated in law or policy. Instead, lawmakers were asked to accept an unsupported claim while being urged to repeal one of the last remaining public oversight tools.”

Reporting Is Not a Burden — It Is Accountability

Supporters of SB 30 argued that abortion reporting is an unnecessary burden on providers, requiring submission of a form for each abortion.

Shaver rejected that claim.

“Abortion providers already collect extensive data on every patient — voluntarily,” she said.

“They track it, analyze it, and often publicize it. What they object to is not record-keeping — it is public accountability.”

Contradiction With Lawmakers’ Stated Goals

Shaver noted the contradiction between SB 30 and lawmakers’ repeated calls for accountability and malpractice reform.

“At a time when lawmakers claim they want transparency and malpractice reform, SB 30 moves New Mexico in the opposite direction,” she said.
​
“By repealing abortion reporting without replacement, this Legislature makes it harder to track how tax dollars are spent and harder to ask informed oversight questions.”

“Authentic healthcare does not operate in secrecy.

Authentic healthcare requires standards, inspections, and accountability.

And healthcare does not ask lawmakers to look away — especially when taxpayer dollars are involved.”

Lawmakers and Citizens Speak Out

SB 30 was advanced out of committee along party lines by Senate Democrats.

Abortion Free New Mexico thanks Sen. David Gallegos, Sen. Jay Block, Sen. Larry Scott, and Sen. Rex Wilson for asking pertinent questions during the hearing and for raising concerns related to transparency, accountability, and the protection of pre-born New Mexicans.

Abortion Free New Mexico also recognizes the strong contingent of pro-life supporters who testified in opposition to SB 30, offering thoughtful and passionate testimony in defense of life, public accountability, and transparency, particularly where taxpayer dollars are involved.

SB 30 Advances

SB 30 now advances through the committee process, raising concerns about the future of public reporting and accountability for publicly funded abortions in New Mexico.

Thank you to everyone who contacted Senate committee members ahead of the hearing.

Your engagement mattered — lawmakers heard from constituents who care deeply about transparency, accountability, and the public record.
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We will continue to keep you informed as this bill moves forward.