Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Mobility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs interstate compact to expand audiology and speech-language care across state lines
Summary
House Bill 79 would adopt the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, enabling licensed audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across member states via a compact privilege. The committee approved the measure to address provider shortages and improve telepractice portability.
The House Health & Human Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 79, which would adopt the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact and allow licensed practitioners in member states to obtain a compact privilege to practice across state lines.
Witnesses including university faculty, professional associations and representatives from long-term care and disability advocacy groups said the compact improves access to care for geographically isolated populations and streamlines licensing for military spouses and practitioners who relocate. Advocates emphasized that the compact preserves state regulatory authority and includes criminal-background verification and other consumer-protection checks.
The League of Women Voters, AARP New Mexico and The Arc of New Mexico spoke in support, noting compacts’ potential to expand telepractice and reduce wait times for audiology and speech-language services in rural areas. The New Mexico Healthcare Association and other provider organizations also supported the bill, citing shortages in nursing-home and long-term-care settings.
Representative Thompson noted that New Mexico is currently outside several interstate health-worker compacts while many neighboring states have joined; proponents said joining would make New Mexico less of an outlier for workforce portability. The committee passed the measure on a roll call and announced a due pass.
