HOUSE MEMORIAL 63

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

INTRODUCED BY

Dayan Hochman-Vigil

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR CERTIFIED ADVANCED PRACTICE CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS TO INCLUDE PRIMARY CARE SERVICES TO ADDRESS NEW MEXICO'S PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGE AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

 

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is experiencing a critical shortage of primary care providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas; and

     WHEREAS, chiropractic physicians in this state are highly trained health care professionals who complete rigorous academic and clinical education, including nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate coursework and five years of doctoral-level chiropractic education; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico is a national leader in chiropractic innovation, having established the advanced practice chiropractic certification, which provides chiropractic physicians limited prescriptive authority for therapeutic and diagnostic services; and

     WHEREAS, certified advanced practice chiropractic physicians are contributing to primary health care teams in community health centers and United States department of veterans affairs clinics across the state by helping to manage musculoskeletal and systemic conditions, ordering diagnostic tests and prescribing medications; and

     WHEREAS, expanding the scope of certified advanced practice chiropractic physicians to formally include primary care services would enhance access to timely, cost-effective and holistic care for New Mexico residents, especially in rural and underserved areas; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico chiropractic association has developed a two-tiered certification system to allow certified advanced practice chiropractic physicians to provide primary care services while ensuring appropriate training, clinical competency and regulatory oversight; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico chiropractic association's proposed certification system aligns with national trends toward integrative, team-based care and recognizes the evolving competencies of chiropractic physicians in addressing chronic disease and providing preventive care;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the house of representatives support the expansion of the scope of practice for properly trained and educated certified advanced practice chiropractic physicians to include primary care services; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives encourage the chiropractic board to continue developing and refining certification standards and clinical training and continuing education requirements to ensure the safe and effective delivery of primary care by certified advanced practice chiropractic physicians; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the superintendent of regulation and licensing and the chiropractic board.

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