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Wednesday, October 01, 2025Hot Button Healthcare Item Has Senate Majority Leader Feeling Heat; Makes A Closely Watched Promise On Medical Compacts; Guv Puts Item On Special Session Agenda But Only For "Study", Plus: Complete Special Session Agenda
Wirth's woes began when he fought the move to place on today's special session agenda the adoption of interstate compacts for doctors and other health care workers. Those are agreements among states to accept medical licenses from other states that have adopted the compacts. An example would be a doctor licensed in Texas showing that license to the NM Medical Board and quickly getting licensed here. The problem is that Wirth is a noted Santa Fe trial attorney, a profession that has opposed the compacts despite their adoption in over 40 other states. The lawyers oppose a provision that prevents them from suing the interstate compact commissions, the boards that oversee each compact. Against that backdrop the Democratic leader stiffened his spine and came with this retort against his opponents: Healthcare policy should not be held hostage to short-term grant deadlines. Making permanent changes to professional licensing standards based on temporary funding availability and an ever-changing set of rules coming from the federal government sets a dangerous precedent. (Lawmakers) need the time between the special session and January to examine how the compacts would interact with New Mexico’s existing laws and ensure changes serve providers and patients long-term. Trouble is the compacts easily passed the House last session but were thwarted in the Senate by maneuvering over amendments. Then there's Wirth's fellow Democrat, MLG, saying she wanted the compacts considered at the special session but could not include the item in her agenda because it would be blocked by "legislative leaders." The Governor does list the compacts on her special session agenda but only for study not legislative action: Back to Senator Wirth. The dam could not hold and he soon changed his tune as a backlash developed. His new and improved statement brought forth the promise that is now under the microscope: I do support the medical compacts. I think that’s priority number one, and we’re going to get that done in January and work hard between now and then to make it happen. But it’s just not ready to go at this point in the special session. No wonder there was political backlash to Wirth's initial reticence. New Mexicans across the state are bemoaning the lack of doctors, swapping horror stories about months-long waits to see a provider or having to take themselves or their sick kids in need of specialists across state lines. And getting on Zoom is not an option if the Doc is not licensed here. To block a relatively simple measure like the compacts that could make a dent in the doctor shortage is untenable for the Democrats. That the Republicans have signed on to the compacts makes matters worse for them. ROAD TO APPROVAL Approving the compacts would not be the waving of a magic wand but it is a step to directly addressing the lack of doctors available to see the sick. Wirth's pledge to "get that done" means the majority leader can take his back off the Roundhouse walls for now, but it will be right back on them if his day job interferes with his pledge to take action (and not action that butchers the compacts.) Fred Nathan of Think Mexico already has his binoculars on and remains worried: Stay tuned. A DIFFERENT ANGLE  A more impactful solution, particularly for New Mexicans seeking out-of-state care, would be to automatically license physicians at major medical centers to practice in NM. This would enable patients who travel for care to legally receive telemedicine follow-up consultations. Examples of major medical centers include MD Anderson Cancer Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for cancer care; The Steadman Clinic and Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedic care; and the Mayo Clinics and Cleveland Clinic for a wide range of conditions. Surely someone knowledgable in public health issues could develop suitable criteria or a list of centers. Thanks David. Good luck with your healthcare journey. SPECIAL AGENDA Here is the Governor's complete special session agenda as released by her office:--Rural Health Care Delivery Fund expansion: Amending the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow for grants to health care providers and facilities in high-needs geographic health professional shortage areas and stabilize the provision of existing health care services. --Health insurance exchange eligibility: Adjusting eligibility requirements for participating in the New Mexico health insurance exchange. --Vaccine standards: Requiring rules for the immunization of children attending school or child care to be based on the recommendations of the New Mexico Department of Health, allowing the Department of Health to set vaccination standards for adults, and requiring vaccines purchased pursuant to the statewide vaccine purchasing program to be recommended by the Department of Health. --Federal budget cuts response: Appropriating funds to respond to recent federal budget cuts. --Western New Mexico University Board of Regents: Confirming regents to the Western New Mexico University Board of Regents.  --Behavioral health legal proceedings: Appropriating funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts for a competency pilot program and behavioral health support for parties in legal proceedings. --Appropriation Contingency Fund: Transferring funds into the Appropriation Contingency Fund to ensure New Mexico has money set aside for emergency response. --Regulation and Licensing Department funding: Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's budget. --Interstate medical licensing compact: Studying and preparing for the implementation of any interstate medical licensing compact. --Legislative expenses: Appropriating funds for the expenses of the Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Special Session, 2025. The New Mexican has a play by play on each item. THE BOTTOM LINES Now there are six, but the names of seven mayoral candidates will still be on the November 4 ABQ election ballot. The candidacy of Daniel Chavez has imploded as the candidate deals with a battery charge and the ABQ Journal poll that had him receiving only 1 percent of the vote. He cited that poll--not his legal troubles--as the reason for ending his mayoral run. Coming as late as his withdrawal does, his name will remain on the ballot. This is the Home of New Mexico Politics. |
 
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