SENATE MEMORIAL 1

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Steve Komadina

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO CONTINUE THE TASK FORCE ON OBSTETRIC HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER LIABILITY INSURANCE.

     WHEREAS, there is a continuing crisis in obstetric health care access because malpractice premiums for all types of health care providers, including certified nurse-midwives, primary care physicians and obstetricians, are escalating; and

     WHEREAS, those escalating costs threaten access to childbirth services, especially in underserved and rural areas where certified nurse-midwives provide many services; and

     WHEREAS, one-third of all vaginal births in New Mexico are delivered by certified nurse-midwives; and

     WHEREAS, various task forces have been working to find solutions to this problem for three years;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to continue the work of its task force on health care practitioner liability insurance to find solutions to the continuing crisis in obstetric health care; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit its findings and recommendations by October 2008 to the legislative health and human services committee, the legislative finance committee and the office of the governor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico health policy commission and the chair of the legislative health and human services committee.

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