When Christine Calhoun’s 5-year-old son woke from a nap unable to recognize her, she and her husband rushed two hours to Amarillo, Texas, for emergency neurological care.
With no pediatric neurologists in Clovis, New Mexico, the family has had to make repeated trips across state lines for treatment of their son’s migraines with aura.
Despite loving the community and schools near Cannon Air Force Base, Calhoun says the lack of specialized medical care remains her family’s greatest concern.
A Systemic Shortage Across New Mexico
The Calhouns’ experience reflects a broader issue facing residents and service members across New Mexico. The state suffers from a severe shortage of healthcare providers: a 2024 Think New Mexico report shows deficits of 30% in nurses, 19% in primary care doctors, 25% in OB-GYNs, 35% in psychiatrists, and a staggering 73% in EMTs.
Advocates attribute this to high medical taxes, strict malpractice laws, restrictions on telehealth, and low reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare patients.
Military Impact: Rejections and Relocations
At New Mexico’s three Air Force bases — Kirtland, Cannon, and Holloman — the scarcity of specialists has become a key deterrent for service members.
According to Col. Steven M. Fox, about 20% of airmen assigned to New Mexico must decline due to inadequate family medical support — double the Air Force average.
Sometimes, even when specialists exist nearby, long wait times violate the Air Force’s mandated access-to-care standards, further discouraging assignments.
Economic Growth Versus Health Care Gaps
Kirtland Air Force Base recently reported a record $7.5 billion economic impact, yet its commander, Col. Justin Secrest, revealed the Air Force had to spend over $1 million sending personnel out of state for care.
Local leaders argue that sustaining growth depends on investing in healthcare infrastructure to improve quality of life for both military families and civilians.
Circuit Rider Program: A Partial Solution
In response, Cannon Air Force Base launched a circuit rider program in 2023, rotating specialists from San Antonio and Las Vegas to serve the community. This reduced Cannon’s medical rejection rate from nearly 40% to 12%.
However, pediatric neurologists are not yet part of the program, leaving families like the Calhouns still dependent on exhausting trips to Amarillo.
The Human Toll of Limited Care
While the Calhouns have the resources to travel for their son’s appointments, Christine notes that many families cannot.
Choosing between essential medical care and everyday responsibilities, she says, is “not fair” — underscoring the urgent need for expanded access to healthcare in rural New Mexico.
