HOUSE MEMORIAL 22

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Christine Trujillo

A MEMORIAL

RECOGNIZING NURSE-MIDWIVES FOR THEIR VITAL ROLE IN NEW MEXICO'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND DECLARING JANUARY 31, 2013 "NURSE-MIDWIFERY DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, nurse-midwives participate in a higher percentage of babies born in New Mexico than in any other state, with thirty-six percent of all vaginal births performed with nurse-midwives; and

     WHEREAS, nurse-midwives provide primary care to the women of New Mexico throughout their lives; and

     WHEREAS, the institute of medicine report, "The Future Of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health", recommends that nurses, including nurse-midwives, be full partners with physicians and other health care professionals in redesigning health care in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the report suggests that nurses, including nurse-midwives, can and should play a fundamental role in improving the nation's health care system through increased involvement at the local, state and national levels; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has enacted legislation that recognizes the scope of nurse-midwifery practice, allowing nurse-midwives to practice to the full extent of their education, training and licensure; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico nurse-midwives are recognized in department of health rules as licensed independent practitioners; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico nurse-midwifery education program has educated over one-third of the nurse-midwives working in New Mexico, and has one of three endowed chairs in nurse-midwifery research in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico affiliate of the American college of nurse-midwives represents nurse-midwives throughout the state;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that January 31, 2013 be declared "Nurse-Midwifery Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico affiliate of the American college of nurse-midwives.