In a recent meeting of the New Mexico Senate's Health and Public Affairs Committee, lawmakers discussed House Bill 117, which aims to expand the authority of physician assistants (PAs) to declare deaths and sign death certificates. This bipartisan initiative, supported by both the Department of Health and the Office of the Medical Investigator, seeks to streamline the process for families dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Currently, only physicians and nurse practitioners have the authority to declare death. House Bill 117 would allow PAs to pronounce death if they have seen the patient within the past year and have documented a diagnosis or prescription related to the cause of death. This change is expected to alleviate the backlog faced by the Office of the Medical Investigator, which often delays the issuance of death certificates.

The committee discussed an amendment to the bill that adjusts the timeframe for when a PA can declare death. Initially set at 10 days, then extended to 180 days, the amendment now proposes a limit of 365 days from the last medical examination or prescription. This means that if a patient was diagnosed or treated for a condition within the past year, a PA could legally pronounce death without needing to refer the case to the Office of the Medical Investigator.

Senators expressed concerns about ensuring that the process remains thorough and that PAs are equipped to handle such responsibilities. However, supporters of the bill emphasized that it would significantly speed up the issuance of death certificates, allowing families to proceed with necessary arrangements, such as life insurance claims, more quickly.

The committee unanimously approved the amendment, moving the bill forward for further consideration. This legislative change reflects a growing recognition of the vital role that physician assistants play in healthcare, particularly in end-of-life situations, and aims to provide timely support to grieving families in New Mexico.