New Mexico pushes to join healthcare compacts to improve telemedicine and remote care

New Mexico lawmakers are working together to pass a bill that would allow the state to join nine major interstate compacts for healthcare workers. This move is meant to solve a critical issue: the state’s shortage of medical professionals, especially in rural areas.

These interstate compacts allow healthcare providers licensed in one participating state to practice in another without having to go through a lengthy, complicated licensing process. Right now, New Mexico is part of only one compact, the Nurse Licensure Compact, which has been in place since 2003. This agreement has helped hospitals across the state bring in nurses from other states, with some rural hospitals relying on out-of-state nurses for up to 80% of their staff.

The proposed legislation would expand this system to doctors, physician assistants, mental health professionals, dentists, emergency medical personnel, physical and occupational therapists, and others. If passed, this bill would make it easier for healthcare providers from other states to work in New Mexico, improving access to care, including telemedicine services.

Expanding telemedicine and remote care

One of the biggest benefits of joining these compacts is that it would make telemedicine more widely available. Telehealth has become an important tool in healthcare, allowing patients—especially those in remote areas—to consult doctors and specialists without traveling long distances.

Currently, doctors and other healthcare providers from outside New Mexico must go through a slow and expensive process to get licensed before they can offer care in the state, even through telemedicine. This limits the number of medical professionals available and can make it difficult for patients to get timely care.

By joining these compacts, New Mexico would remove unnecessary barriers and allow out-of-state doctors, therapists, and other professionals to provide virtual care without extra licensing steps. This change would improve access to specialists, mental health counselors, and primary care doctors, helping people in areas where healthcare services are limited.

Ensuring patient safety and quality care

While making it easier for healthcare providers to work across state lines, these compacts also include strict rules to protect patients. Each state that joins an interstate compact still has control over who can practice within its borders. Medical boards in each state have the power to deny licenses to any provider who does not meet the required standards.

Doctors applying through the compact system must also pass FBI fingerprint-based background checks, ensuring that only qualified professionals with clean records are allowed to work in New Mexico.

Addressing legal and ethical concerns

Allowing healthcare workers to access state lines raises legal and ethical questions, particularly regarding telemedicine. One challenge is determining which state’s laws apply if a problem arises, such as a malpractice case or a dispute over a patient’s rights. Each state has its own rules for medical care, and when doctors are treating patients remotely from another state, it can create confusion over legal responsibilities.

Another major concern is patient privacy. Telemedicine relies on digital communication, which means sensitive medical information is transmitted electronically. Healthcare providers must follow strict data security laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to keep patient records safe. As more states join these compacts, they must work together to ensure that privacy protections remain strong.

There is also the issue of maintaining high-quality care across different states. Standards for medical care and licensing requirements can vary, and while these compacts set common guidelines, there is still a need for oversight to make sure patients receive consistent and safe treatment.

What this means for New Mexico

If this bill passes, New Mexico will move from being one of the least connected states in terms of healthcare licensing to being part of a nationwide network of medical professionals. Supporters argue that this will increase the number of doctors and specialists available, shorten wait times for appointments, and improve healthcare access for people living in remote or underserved areas.

Think New Mexico, the nonpartisan group that recommended these compacts, believes the change would have an immediate impact on healthcare in the state. “This will expand the supply of healthcare providers available to care for New Mexicans,” said Fred Nathan Jr., the organization’s executive director.

The legislation has received support from groups including AARP-New Mexico, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. With a strong push from lawmakers on both sides, there is a good chance the bill will move forward, making it easier for out-of-state medical professionals to serve New Mexico patients.

If the compacts are adopted, healthcare providers will still need to follow all regulations set by the New Mexico Medical Board and other licensing agencies. However, they will be able to practice much sooner, whether in person or through telemedicine, helping to address the state’s urgent healthcare worker shortage.

As New Mexico moves toward joining these compacts, careful planning will be necessary to ensure that patient safety, legal protections, and ethical standards remain a top priority. The ultimate goal is to make healthcare more accessible and efficient for all New Mexicans while maintaining high standards of care.