New Mexico legislation · 2026 Regular Session
New Mexico HM31: HOME HEALTH SERVICE DISTANCE LIMITATIONS
Status: Passed both chambers, February 19, 2026
What the bill says
From the enrolled text, March 9, 2026:
A MEMORIAL REQUESTING THE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY TO REEVALUATE CERTAIN HOME HEALTH SERVICE DISTANCE LIMITATIONS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CARE IN RURAL, FRONTIER AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. WHEREAS, home health agencies play a critical role in delivering medically necessary skilled nursing, therapy and supportive services that allow New Mexico residents to receive care in their homes rather than in institutional settings; and WHEREAS, the health care authority's current administrative rules limit a home health agency to serving patient-clients who reside within one hundred miles of the agency's licensed location; and WHEREAS, this limitation creates administrative and operational burdens for home health agencies, particularly those serving large geographic areas with sparse populations, limited infrastructure and workforce shortages; and WHEREAS, the reauthorization of the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act is expected to increase demand for home health services among uranium miners and millers, many of whom reside in remote frontier areas and on Navajo Nation tribal lands; and WHEREAS, these communities already face significant barriers to accessing health care services due to geographic HM Page isolation, transportation challenges and limited availability of providers; and WHEREAS, the current distance-based limitation on home health services creates a regulatory barrier that may unintentionally limit access to medically necessary care for eligible patients in these underserved regions; and WHEREAS, the personal care services program administered by the …
Sponsors
- Joseph Franklin Hernandez (D, HD-004) · primary sponsor
- Mark Duncan (R, HD-002)
Latest actions
- : Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0
- : HHHC: Reported by committee with Do Pass recommendation
- : Sent to HHHC - Referrals: HHHC
- : Signed by one or both houses (for legislation not requiring Governor's signature)
Subjects: MEMORIALS, OTHER, HEALTH & HEALTH FACILITIES
Common questions
- What is HM31?
- HM31 is a bill in the New Mexico Legislature (2026 Regular Session): HOME HEALTH SERVICE DISTANCE LIMITATIONS.
- What is the status of HM31?
- Passed both chambers as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: Passed in the House of Representatives - Y:55 N:0 (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HM31?
- Joseph Franklin Hernandez (D, HD-004), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HM31?
- On the New Mexico Legislature website: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=H&legType=M&legNo=31&year=26
Source: official New Mexico record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.