A. The district court from which final judgment issues shall have continuing jurisdiction in cases where medical care and related benefits are awarded pursuant to Section 7 [41-5-7 NMSA 1978].

B. In all cases where the patient's continued need of such benefits, or the degree to which such benefits are needed is challenged at a point in time after a judgment is entered, the court, sitting without a jury, shall determine whether such need continues to exist and the extent of such need.

C. Whenever a patient petitions the district court for an increase in medical care and related benefits, the petition shall be set down for hearing at the earliest possible time and takes precedence over all matters except older matters of the same character and motions for preliminary injunctions filed pursuant to Rules 65, 66, NMR Civ. P. [Rules 1-065, 1-066 NMRA].

D. The health care provider shall have the burden of proving that the patient's need for benefits has subsided or abated, or that medical care and related benefits are not reasonably necessary, which it shall establish by clear and convincing evidence. The patient shall have the burden of proving that his need for medical care and related benefits has increased, which he shall establish by a preponderance of the evidence.

History: 1953 Comp., § 58-33-9, enacted by Laws 1976, ch. 2, § 9.

Emergency clauses. — Laws 1976, ch. 2, § 32 contained an emergency clause and was approved February 27, 1976.

Law reviews. — For article, "Medical Malpractice Legislation in New Mexico," see 7 N.M.L. Rev. 5 (1976-77).