The New Mexico Health Policy Commission, a state agency that provided independent research and policy recommendations until its budget was eliminated in 2010, wrote a report that year detailing recommendations for addressing the health workforce shortage.
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Here are some of the commission’s proposals:
- Increase funding for loan-repayment programs that attract providers to rural areas
- Support legislation to expand the scope of practice for potential mid-level oral health providers, amend dental licensure examination requirements, and allow University of New Mexico dental residents to obtain temporary licenses
- Study the feasibility of expanding New Mexico physician assistant training programs and other mid-level training programs in the state
- Support legislation to create 60 lottery scholarship slots for individuals to become certified nurse practitioners or physician assistants and agree to work in New Mexico for at least three years
- Seek funding for programs that create a more diverse workforce that better reflects and represents New Mexico’s population
- Support legislation that would levy excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and/or sugared soft drinks to pay for loan forgiveness, debt repayment and scholarship programs for health professionals