State lawmaker seeks compacts for paramedics, counselors, psychologists

Rep. Marian Matthews this week filed three bills to enroll New Mexico in multistate licensing compacts for paramedics, counselors and psychologists, arguing that compacts should extend beyond physicians to address a statewide workforce crisis. The filings came as lawmakers also moved forward on legislation to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact for physicians after weeks of bipartisan negotiations.

Advocates have pushed for access to multistate licensing as a tool to shorten wait times for care and ease staffing shortages. New Mexico is not a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, unlike 44 other jurisdictions including the state’s five border neighbors, and is also not part of eight other major compacts covering specialties such as paramedics, audiologists and dentists. Supporters say joining compacts could let qualified providers licensed elsewhere practice more quickly in New Mexico.

Some lawmakers have pushed back, questioning the pace and scope of expanding compacts and urging caution on regulatory and oversight issues. Matthews said the proposals already on the table fell short of what the state needs. “Our health system is in really bad shape right now,” she told reporters. “I can’t think of a higher priority for us in the coming session but to address solutions to the problem, and compacts are a part of that.”

For residents of San Juan County, the measures have direct implications. Rural and tribal communities in the county often face long travel times to reach primary care, emergency services and mental health providers. A paramedic compact could ease cross-state deployment and staffing for emergency medical services that cover remote areas, while counselor and psychologist compacts could speed the arrival of licensed mental health professionals to address persistent access gaps.

Legislative timing will matter. Matthews introduced the bills ahead of the session to put them on lawmakers’ radars, but debate is likely over how many compacts to authorize at once and what safeguards should accompany expedited licensing. Those conversations will shape how quickly providers can be credentialed and whether new entrants face the same standards New Mexicans expect.

The broader context includes interstate coordination and the balance between improving access and protecting local regulatory standards. Compacts can reduce bureaucratic hurdles, but they also raise questions about disciplinary records, reciprocity requirements and how licensing boards will manage cross-border cases. Lawmakers will weigh those tradeoffs as the session unfolds.

Our two cents? Keep an eye on your state legislators and the committee schedule, and ask specifically how any compact would affect local EMS response, behavioral health services and oversight of out-of-state providers. If access to care is a daily issue where you live, make your concerns known now so San Juan County priorities are part of the debate.