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SPONSOR: |
Picraux |
DATE TYPED: |
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HB |
665/aHCPAC/aHBIC |
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SHORT TITLE: |
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SB |
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ANALYST: |
Geisler |
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APPROPRIATION
Appropriation
Contained |
Estimated
Additional Impact |
Recurring or
Non-Rec |
Fund Affected |
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FY03 |
FY04 |
FY03 |
FY04 |
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NFI |
NFI |
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(Parenthesis
( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
Board of Medical Examiners (BOME)
Health Policy Commission (HPC)
SUMMARY
The
House Business and Industry Committee amendments to HB 665 added dental
hygienist and pharmacist to the list of health care providers in the act. The definition of “health care provider” was
amended and now is not limited only to those 17 types of providers listed in
the act.
The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee
made minor technical amendments to HB 665.
Clinical nurse specialist and registered nurse are added to the list of
healthcare providers in the act, and additional information was provided to
clarify applicable federal and state guidelines.
Synopsis
of Original Bill
HB 665 is intended to provide a framework for health
care providers to follow in providing services through electronic means when
distance separates the patient and the health care provider.
Significant
Issues
HB
665 recognizes the validity of telehealth and encourages its use. It requires compliance with all applicable
guidelines and does not alter the scope of practice of any provider. The Board of Medical Examiners currently
encourages the use of “telemedicine” even across state lines. It allows supervision of physician
assistants, public service licensees and pharmacist clinicians by electronic
means. Physicians who want to practice
telemedicine across state lines are afforded easy access to licensing and a
very reasonable licensure fee ($150 for a three year license).
RELATIONSHIP
Related:
·
HB144
Tobacco Settlement Appropriations provides $150,000 for telehealth at the
·
SB133
Tobacco Settlement Appropriations provides $150,000 for telehealth at the
·
SB534
Tobacco Settlement Appropriations provides $150,000 for telehealth at the
TECHNICAL
ISSUES
HB665
does not say when the Telehealth Act will be enacted.
OTHER
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
¨
Approximately
20% of practicing physicians practice in rural or frontier areas.
¨
Solo
practice is the most common practice setting in the state.
¨
29%
of physicians located in rural/frontier areas have solo practices.
¨
43%
of survey respondents are primary care practitioners.
¨
¨
These
counties have a full time primary care physician to population ratio of 3,500:1
or a primary care physician to population ratio of between 3,500:1 to 3,000:1
WHAT
WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL?
The
Telehealth Act will not be enacted and access to care for New Mexicans in rural
and underserved areas may not improve. Providers of health care will not have
access to medical consults and the insights of their colleagues.
GG/sb:njw