House Sends Medical Licensure Compact to the Governor
SB 1 is the eighth compact passed this session of House Democrats’ wide-ranging platform to make healthcare more affordable and accessible
Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 1, which expands access to healthcare by allowing licensed, qualified providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. This legislation now heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
“Joining the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact will improve New Mexicans’ access to primary care doctors, telehealth options, and highly-trained specialized physicians who typically practice in states with much bigger populations,” said House sponsor Rep. Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque). “This compact opens up convenient, reliable avenues to care, especially for New Mexico’s rural and underserved communities.”
SB 1 has 29 bipartisan sponsors, including Representative Pamelya Herndon (D-Albuquerque) and Senators Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe), Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque), Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque).
Seven additional healthcare compacts have already passed the House and are in the Senate (HB 10, HB 11, HB 12, HB 13, HB 14, HB 31, HB 50), while two more compact bills are headed to the House floor (HB 32, HB 33).
Interstate medical compacts are one important piece of the House Democrats’ slate of legislation this session to improve access to high-quality, affordable healthcare throughout the state. Proposals include legislation and investments to improve access to care, lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, recruit and retain providers, and create a welcoming climate for healthcare professionals.
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 is below:
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)
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 and offsetting the cost of training for residents (HB 2), 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 that legislation has passed the House chamber.
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