House Democrats Continue Push to Improve Access to Healthcare
HB 127 creates a licensure pathway for qualified, international physicians, improves the expedited licensure process for all providers, and expands telehealth options
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives passed House Bill 127, which would expand access to healthcare in the state by streamlining the process for licensed, international doctors to practice in New Mexico. HB 127 also improves the expedited licensure process for all qualified doctors, and creates a telehealth registry, allowing out-of-state doctors to consult with New Mexico patients. The legislation passed unanimously, and now heads to the Senate.
“This legislation creates multiple pathways for qualified doctors to practice in our state so we can get trained, experienced doctors serving New Mexicans in need,” said lead sponsor House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe). “The new telehealth registry will be especially crucial for patients with rare diseases who need a specialist’s care, but may be too ill to travel safely.”
Currently, the only way for qualified, international doctors to practice in New Mexico is for them to repeat their entire medical residency and compete with U.S. medical school graduates for a very limited number of slots.
The bill’s new licensing process begins with a two-year provisional license that may be issued if the individual passes the U.S. clinical exam and has a full-time job offer to practice under the supervision of a licensed physician. After two years of supervised service, they may then receive a two-year restricted license that requires them to practice in an underserved community in New Mexico. If those additional two years are completed without any disciplinary action or open investigations, the individual may apply for an unrestricted license to practice in the state.
Additionally, the bill improves the expedited licensure process, so that all qualified applicants are granted their licenses within 30 days. The New Mexico Medical Board has voiced strong support for this legislation.
HB 127 also streamlines the process for physicians licensed in another U.S. state or territory to become registered telehealth providers in New Mexico. This new registry expands care and treatment options for patients, particularly those with life-threatening or rare conditions, who may have difficulty traveling for appointments.
House Democrats’ wide-ranging platform to improve access to high-quality, affordable healthcare throughout the state. The House has passed 10 bills to enter New Mexico into interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico and streamline the licensing process for healthcare professionals moving here.
This year’s state budget (HB 2) also invests heavily in healthcare access and provider recruitment and retention, including $25 million to expand loan repayment assistance, $24 million for rural residencies and rotations, and doubling the size of the UNM Medical School.
House Democrats are also pushing forward legislation and investments to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs and make targeted changes to the state’s medical malpractice laws to protect both patients and healthcare practitioners.
A select list of House Democrats’ key healthcare priorities is below.
The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year’s 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature’s Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.
Select Healthcare Priorities
A non-comprehensive list of healthcare investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes:
Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs by expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families (HB 4, HB 2*)
Decreasing health insurance costs for public school teachers and staff, so they can keep more of their hard-earned money (HB 47)*
Growing a strong healthcare workforce by doubling the size of the UNM Medical School (HB 2)*
Creating a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians (HB 127)*
Investing heavily in provider recruitment and retention (HB 68), including expanding the state’s loan repayment program (HB 2*), offsetting the cost of training for residents, and expanding the Rural Healthcare Practitioner Tax Credit (HB 142)
Making targeted changes to medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for doctors and providers (HB 99, HB 195, HB 15)
Creating a personal income tax credit for healthcare providers mentoring aspiring students in their field (HB 90)
Improving access to healthcare by joining interstate medical compacts
HB 10: Physician Assistant Interstate Compact*
HB 11: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact*
HB 12: Physical Therapy Licensure Compact*
HB 13: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact*
HB 14: Dental and Dentist Hygienist Compact*
HB 31: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact*
HB 32: Counseling Licensure Compact*
HB 33: Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact*
HB 50: Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact*
SB 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act*
*Indicates legislation has passed the House
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