April 8, 1999

The Honorable Raymond G. Sanchez and

Members of the House of Representatives

Executive-Legislative Building

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87503

Honorable Speaker and Members of the House:

I have this day VETOED and am returning HOUSE BILL 361, as amended,

enacted by the Forty-Fourth Legislature, First Session, 1999.

This legislation establishes a procedure to review changes and expansions of the scope of practice for licensed health professionals. At an ever increasing rate, New Mexico’s legislative body and Governor are faced with decisions of expanding the scope of practice of health professions. The issues which revolve around these decisions are complex and will have a direct and immediate impact on the health care for all New Mexicans. Accordingly,the benefit of a review process envisioned in this bill would be extremely beneficial to policy makers in New Mexico.

However, I have vetoed this bill because this review process is established and managed at the New Mexico Health Policy Commission. I believe that the Department of Health, as the primary health policy and delivery organization in state government, would be a more appropriate agency to direct this effort.

Sincerely,

Gary E. Johnson

Governor