Committee gives do-pass to bill joining Interstate Medical Licensure Compact

House Bill 243, which would authorize New Mexico to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, received a do-pass recommendation from the committee after proponents said the agreement would streamline licensure and help address a shortage of physicians.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Matthews, told the committee the compact “is for physician format and so forth” and that the measure was amended to address earlier concerns about protection for physicians providing reproductive health care. Matthews said the state has lost physicians in recent years and noted “we are now 334 short just to primary care physicians.”

The nut graf: supporters said the compact shortens administrative barriers for physicians who want to practice across member states, which supporters said could increase access to care in New Mexico. Speakers representing the New Mexico Medical Board, Think New Mexico, Planned Parenthood, county governments and medical associations testified that joining the compact would make it easier for out-of-state physicians to obtain New Mexico licensure and help alleviate provider shortages.

Think New Mexico’s executive director, Fred Nathan, said New Mexico is “at a major competitive disadvantage in attracting doctors” and noted many neighboring states already participate. Nathan said 40 states plus the District of Columbia participate in the compact and added, “States keep joining these compacts and none have left.”

Megan Dela Rosa, testifying for the Military Based Planning Commission, said the compact “reduces employment barriers when relocating and improves their access to stable careers,” calling the bill “a win for all.” Linda Siegel of the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association said the compact “will allow physicians to have pretty much one license if they come to another compact state.” Jack Teeter, director of government affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said the compact “won’t solve all of these infrastructure issues, but we do believe it will help.”

Committee members pressed for specifics about protections for physicians whose practice in other states may involve care that is legal in New Mexico but restricted elsewhere. Representative Romero asked where the protections are in the bill; the sponsor pointed to language on pages 12 and 15 indicating safeguards for physicians providing lawful care in New Mexico. Representative Martinez and others said they appreciated the revisions and noted the compact board had addressed the earlier concerns.

Members also discussed how the compact’s licensing process differs from “home state” models. Committee testimony explained that under the medical compact a physician applies for licensure in each state but the compact streamlines the process by permitting states to accept an applicant’s verified packet rather than repeating document collection.

The committee recorded a roll-call review of the bill and the chair announced a do-pass recommendation for House Bill 243. The transcript does not list a mover or seconder for the motion in the recorded minutes.

Ending: The committee advanced HB 243 to the next stage with a do-pass recommendation. Supporters said joining the compact could speed licensure and improve provider access, while members had sought and received reassurances that the bill includes protections for physicians providing care that is legal in New Mexico.