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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

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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.