SENATE MEMORIAL 29

57th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Shannon D. Pinto and Linda M. López

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER TO COORDINATE WITH HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNICATION BARRIERS AND GAPS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT PREVENT THE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS AND TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME THOSE BARRIERS AND FILL THOSE GAPS.

 

     WHEREAS, language access in health care is vital for patient safety and equitable care; and

     WHEREAS, effective communication between health care providers and patients can reduce medical errors by up to fifty percent; and

     WHEREAS, limited language access in health care leads to major health care disparities; and

     WHEREAS, there is a particular need for language access in New Mexico's health care system because of the melting pot of cultures and languages in the state; and

     WHEREAS, many of the hospitals in the state lack sufficient language access services; and

     WHEREAS, the need for more medical interpreters in New Mexico is urgent; and

     WHEREAS, to grow the medical interpreter workforce, the state's infrastructure for training medical interpreters needs to expand; and

     WHEREAS, to adequately grow the state's capacity of medical interpreter training programs, it is necessary to fully understand the barriers and gaps in the health care system that are preventing effective communication with patients;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico health sciences center be requested to coordinate with health facilities across the state to better understand the communication barriers and gaps in the health care system that prevent the effective treatment of patients and to develop strategies to overcome those barriers and fill those gaps; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university of New Mexico health sciences center be encouraged to obtain and share data related to the barriers and gaps in the health care system for patients to assist persons who are developing or expanding a medical interpreter training program; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the university of New Mexico health sciences center.

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