HONORING NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS

HM 3
Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
A MEMORIAL
HONORING NEW MEXICO NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS.
WHEREAS, nurses and other health care workers in New
Mexico have long served with dedication, compassion and
skill, often under difficult and demanding circumstances, to
promote, restore and protect the health of the people of New
Mexico; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, through public health
emergencies, pandemics, chronic care challenges and day-to-
day community health needs, nurses and health care workers
have shown extraordinary commitment, working long hours,
often at personal sacrifice, to ensure safe and compassionate
care; and
WHEREAS, nurses and health care workers have
consistently shown up to advocate for patient safety and the
health care needs of the people of New Mexico, including
through their leadership and engagement in the legislative
process to promote safe staffing standards and other policies
designed to improve care quality and protect patients; and
WHEREAS, New Mexico faces a persistent and growing
workforce shortage of nursing and health care workers, which
places an increased strain on hospitals, clinics, long-term
care facilities and community health systems, affecting both
patient access and the sustainability of the health care
HM 3
Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
workforce; and
WHEREAS, rural and frontier communities throughout the
state experience significant barriers to accessing health
care, including long travel distances, limited provider
availability and chronic understaffing that further deepen
health inequities; and
WHEREAS, the increasing prevalence of mental health
crises, behavioral health conditions and substance abuse
disorders across New Mexico has substantially increased
demand on frontline health care workers, who frequently serve
as the first, and sometimes only, source of care for
individuals and families in crisis; and
WHEREAS, the well-being of the people of New Mexico
depends heavily on the devotion, expertise and steadfast
service of nurses and health care workers practicing
throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the state
formally recognize and express gratitude for the invaluable
service and contributions of nurses and health care workers
to public health and safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that all nurses
and health care workers in New Mexico, including clinicians,
allied health professionals and support staff, be honored and
commended for their selfless service, professionalism,
HM 3
Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
advocacy and compassion; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives
extend its deep appreciation to all nurses and health care
workers for their unwavering dedication to the health and
welfare of the people of New Mexico; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the New Mexico nurses association, appropriate
statewide health care professional organizations and the
leadership of all New Mexico hospitals and health care
facilities.