Commentary: Senator Sue Wilson Beffort’s bill to help alleviate the shortage of licensed medical workers in the state by expediting the issuing of New Mexico licenses to out-of-state medical practitioners who want to practice here has been signed by the governor.
Senator Wilson Beffort said presently New Mexico has a significant shortage of licensed healthcare providers, especially in the rural areas, and now with the expansion of Medicaid the shortage has become even more critical.
Her bill requires that a licensed out-of-state medical professional who is interested in practicing in New Mexico must have their New Mexico license issued as fast as practical. The medical practitioner must have met the minimal licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirement in New Mexico and must have completed a background check.
Nothing in this bill dictates that requirements must be lessened.
According to an analysis of the bill, the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee’s report found that 32 out of 33 counties qualified as full or partial federally designated health professional shortage areas for primary care, dental, and mental health, and certified nurse practitioners. It was reported to the Legislative Finance Committee that many of the boards and commissions have been inactive, not meeting , and are not even fully appointed. Thus, they have not attended to processing applicants in a timely, responsible manner.