House Unanimously Passes Seven Interstate Compact Bills to Expand Access to Healthcare

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: Category: 2026 NM Legislative Session; Jan 28, 2026

Compacts are one piece of the House Democrats' broad slate of legislation this session to make healthcare more affordable and accessible in New Mexico

Santa Fe, N.M. – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed seven bills to expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate compacts, which allow licensed, qualified healthcare providers in other states to serve patients in New Mexico.

"Compacts are one of the quickest, most effective ways to improve access to healthcare, cut down on long wait times, and improve health outcomes for the people of our state," said Representative Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque), lead sponsor of five of the compact bills passed today. "Not only does participation in compacts attract providers to our state, it also increases access to telehealth options so folks don't have to travel long distances for appointments that can be held remotely."

The legislation passed by the House today would allow New Mexicans to receive care from out-of-state physician assistants (HB 10), audiologists and speech-language pathologists (HB 11), physical therapists (HB 12), occupational therapists (HB 13), dentists and dental hygienists (HB 14), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel (HB 31), and social workers (HB 50). These seven bills now head to the Senate.

"Joining interstate compacts helps New Mexicans get the care they deserve by opening up access to a much larger pool of healthcare providers in a wide range of specialties," said Representative Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque), lead sponsor of HB 31, as well as HB 32 and 33, which are still making their way through House committees. "While the House has led the push to join these compacts for several years, we are seeing growing support for interstate compacts and we are hopeful that we have a real chance to get this legislation to the Governor's desk this year."

Participation in interstate compacts is one important piece of the House Democrats' wide-ranging platform to improve access to high-quality, affordable healthcare throughout the state. House Democrats are also advancing legislation and investments to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs, recruit and retain providers, and make targeted changes to the state's medical malpractice laws to protect both patients and healthcare practitioners.

A select list of House Democrats' key healthcare priorities is below.

The Roundhouse will be open to the public for the entirety of this year's 30-day session. Members of the public can also view floor sessions and committee meetings on the New Mexico Legislature's Webcasts tab, and provide comment via phone or Zoom as directed on the daily schedule.

Select Healthcare Priorities

A non-comprehensive list of healthcare investments and legislation that has or will be introduced by House Democrats this session includes:

Lowering out-of-pocket healthcare costs by expanding the Healthcare Affordability Fund, allowing the state to continue keeping marketplace insurance premiums affordable for working families (HB 4, HB 2)

Growing a strong healthcare workforce by doubling the size of the UNM Medical School (HB 2)

Creating a licensure pathway for qualified international physicians (HB 127)

Investing heavily in provider recruitment and retention (HB 68), including expanding the state's loan repayment program, offsetting the cost of training for residents, and expanding the Rural Healthcare Practitioner Tax Credit

Making targeted changes to medical malpractice laws to improve the climate for doctors and providers (HB 99)

Creating a personal income tax credit for healthcare providers mentoring aspiring students in their field (HB 90)

Improving access to healthcare by joining interstate medical compacts

HB 10: Physician Assistant Interstate Compact

HB 11: Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact

HB 12: Physical Therapy Licensure Compact

HB 13: Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact

HB 14: Dental and Dentist Hygienist Compact

HB 31: EMS Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact

HB 32: Counseling Licensure Compact

HB 33: Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

HB 50: Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact

SB 1: Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Act

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House Unanimously Passes Seven Interstate Compact Bills to Expand Access to Healthcare

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