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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 HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES 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
findings and recommendations by October 2008 to the
legislative health and human services committee, the
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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.