SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 32

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Bernadette M. Sanchez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO HEALTH POLICY COMMISSION TO STUDY THE IMPORTANCE OF AND THE BARRIERS TO MEETING THE NEED FOR RECRUITING AND RETAINING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF BILINGUAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the availability of bilingual behavioral health professionals in New Mexico, especially in rural areas, is severely limited; and

     WHEREAS, an adequate number of bilingual behavioral health professionals is a critical determinant to meeting the behavioral health needs of the diverse population of New Mexico and to prevent or reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness in New Mexico communities; and

     WHEREAS, in the next half-century, the United States is expected to see a significant rise in its Hispanic and other ethnic cultures and populations; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is already a very culturally diverse state with significant Hispanic, Native American and Asian populations; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico schools, hospitals and other mental health care providers are facing serious shortages of bilingual health care professionals; and

     WHEREAS, there are many barriers to effective recruitment and retention of bilingual behavioral health professionals, including complex licensing and credentialing requirements, lack of training in the provision of culturally competent care and shortages of trained and experienced bilingual or multilingual professionals; and

     WHEREAS, no adequate system currently exists to collect data to track the effect of bilingual behavioral health professional shortages on the mental health of New Mexicans; and

     WHEREAS, data regarding health disparities resulting from a shortage of bilingual behavioral health professionals is similarly lacking; and

     WHEREAS, increased bilingual behavioral health professional recruitment and retention could result in reduced errors, increased patient safety and outcomes and improved job satisfaction for behavioral health professionals;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico health policy commission be requested to conduct a study of the importance of and the barriers to meeting the need for recruiting and retaining an adequate supply of bilingual behavioral health professionals in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study address the impact of a shortage of bilingual health care professionals on the mental health of New Mexico residents; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting this study, the New Mexico health policy commission confer with the human services department, the department of health, statewide associations representing hospitals and health systems, statewide organizations representing behavioral health professionals and consumers and others with knowledge and expertise in the field of behavioral health; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico health policy commission submit a report of the study, including findings and recommendations, to the interim legislative health and human services committee by November 2006; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico health policy commission.

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