SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 6

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Phil A. Griego

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT A REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF STATE STATUTES FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDING LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH AN OFFICE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND TO ESTABLISH A REPRESENTATIVE TASK FORCE THAT WILL DEVELOP A RECOMMENDED BUDGET AND PROVIDE ORGANIZATIONAL DETAILS AND PROGRAM ACTIVITIES OF THE PROPOSED OFFICE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico continues to experience challenges in improving health outcomes and addressing health disparities; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico continues to experience critical shortages in providers in primary, oral and behavioral health care, particularly in rural and inner city areas; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a predominantly rural state with a high percentage of its rural population lacking access to health care services; and

     WHEREAS, there is substantial evidence that coordination of comprehensive care for individuals with chronic diseases and information regarding preventive care can improve individual health status and create a healthier population, reducing the costs of health care; and

     WHEREAS, community health workers, promotoras and community health representatives, hereinafter collectively referred to as CHWs, have demonstrated success in increasing access points in underserved communities; in providing culturally appropriate prevention and disease management education, translation and interpretation services for medical encounters; in improving health through care coordination; in increasing individual health literacy and advocacy; and in organizing to enable community health improvement; and

     WHEREAS, the federal department of labor has recognized and defined CHWs as "health professionals" under occupational definitions; and

     WHEREAS, federal initiatives, including health care reform legislation, identify the role of CHWs as critical to the provision of health education, care management, continued enrollment to assure access to care for populations eligible for public programs, the prevention of duplicative care, an increased quality of care and the provision of home visitation regarding maternal health and prenatal care; and

     WHEREAS, although multiple efforts are underway to train CHWs for employment opportunities in rural, tribal and urban areas, the financing and sustainability for those trained has not been developed nor is the training standardized or coordinated; and

     WHEREAS, at least seventeen states are developing or implementing certification processes and financing options for CHWs; and

     WHEREAS, the secretary of health created an office of community health workers within the public health division by executive appointment, an office that does not reside in public health statutes and therefore has no permanent authorization; and

     WHEREAS, the office of community health workers has studied, evaluated and observed the benefits of CHWs in a variety of health care settings within communities, clinics, hospitals and public health offices, in conjunction with the CHW advisory council, created pursuant to Senate Joint Memorial 76 of the 2003 legislative session; and

     WHEREAS, the advisory council has determined that the department of health is the agency to coordinate training and the certification of CHWs, trainers and training programs and to develop and maintain a registry of certified CHWs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to conduct a review and analysis of state statutes for the purpose of recommending legislation, by the first session of the fiftieth legislature, that will establish by law an office of community health workers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health be requested to establish a task force that will develop a recommended budget and provide organizational details and program activities of the proposed office; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be representative of the community health workers and community health representatives professions; higher educational institutions; community colleges; vocational schools; and branches of higher education, state agencies and other organizations charged with the delivery, administration or financing of health and social services and community provider organizations, including the professional associations and other potential employers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force review best practices utilizing CHWs that result in increased access and efficiencies, reduced costs, improved health outcomes and reduced death and disability; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this task force submit its recommendations and findings to the appropriate committee created by the New Mexico legislative council by October 2010; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health.

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