After a lengthy hearing and extensive public testimony on access to specialty care and telemedicine, the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee amended and recommended a do‑pass on legislation to have New Mexico join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact.

Sponsor Senator Siah Trujillo told the committee the compact provides an expedited, voluntary pathway for physicians to obtain multi‑state licensure. Witnesses from the New Mexico Medical Board, hospitals and patient advocates described families who have had to travel for second opinions and specialty consultations because out‑of‑state physicians cannot provide telehealth to New Mexico residents when New Mexico is not a compact member. "This compact makes it possible to extend the reach of physicians, improve access to medical specialists, and leverage telemedicine," Trujillo said.

Supporters included Richard Romero of the New Mexico Medical Board, Christina Fisher of Think New Mexico, the New Mexico Hospital Association and families who testified about the practical limits they faced when seeking virtual specialty care. Karen Carson, chair of the New Mexico Medical Board, said the board can already process complete applications quickly; the compact accelerates that by providing a centralized credentialing repository.

Committee members extensively debated two amendments offered on the floor. One amendment (sponsored by Senator Zedillo Lopez in committee) removed language granting qualified immunity to officers and employees of the interstate commission; sponsors said the change aligns the compact with New Mexico law and would not alter physician liability under state malpractice law. The committee also adopted language intended to protect licensees by providing immediate reinstatement of compact certification or authorization if suspension or revocation was solely based on performance, recommendation or provision of reproductive health or gender‑affirming care as authorized in the compact.

Opponents and some committee members warned the immunity change might reduce New Mexico’s chances of final compact admission; supporters pointed to at least two other states that entered the compact after removing similar language. Several senators voiced concern about preserving New Mexico sovereignty over discipline and the logistics of fees and commission governance.

Following debate and amendment, the committee gave the amended bill a do‑pass recommendation. The committee debate reflects the broader trade‑offs the compact poses: greater access to out‑of‑state clinicians by simplifying licensure versus concerns about institutional language and long‑term legal exposure for commission officials.