SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Department of Health issued a new Public Health Order (PHO) just three months after removing the previous PHO for the first time in nearly three years.

Senator Gregg Schmedes (District 19-Tijeras), the only practicing physician in the Legislature, issued the following statement regarding the new PHO:

"As a physician, I am committed to evidence-based public health. Unfortunately, this latest Public Health Order conflates two different respiratory diseases and recommends indoor masking without any beneficial evidence."

"It is also painfully ironic that the order cites a doctor shortage that was in part caused by the Governor's irresponsible medical malpractice legislation."

"One thing is clear—the Legislature needs a role in these decisions. Republicans in the Legislature have tried to rein in the power of this Governor for years, and come January, I urge my Democrat colleagues to join us."