The New Mexico Legislature has passed a bill April 4 that expands the scope of anesthesiologist assistants.
The bill would eliminate a clause on anesthesiologist assistant practices — which stipulates that after July 2025, they would not be allowed to practice outside of the University of New Mexico Health System in Albuquerque.
"[New Mexico] is in a health care crisis and it continues to be a challenge to attract and retain health care providers," anesthesiologist Kathleen MacDonald, MD, wrote in a letter to the editor posted April 6 in the Rio Rancher Observer. The bill "will allow [New Mexico] continued access to all qualified anesthesia providers."