EXPAND CHIROPRACTIC SCOPE OF PRACTICE

HM063

HOUSE MEMORIAL 63

57
th legislature
- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -
second session
, 2026

INTRODUCED BY

Dayan Hochman-Vigil

A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR
CERTIFIED ADVANCED PRACTICE CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS TO INCLUDE
PRIMARY CARE SERVICES TO ADDRESS NEW MEXICO'S PRIMARY CARE
SHORTAGE AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico is experiencing a critical shortage of
primary care providers, particularly in rural and underserved
areas; and

WHEREAS, chiropractic physicians in this state are highly
trained health care professionals who complete rigorous
academic and clinical education, including nearly four years of
pre-medical undergraduate coursework and five years of
doctoral-level chiropractic education; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico is a national leader in chiropractic
innovation, having established the advanced practice
chiropractic certification, which provides chiropractic
physicians limited prescriptive authority for therapeutic and
diagnostic services; and

WHEREAS, certified advanced practice chiropractic
physicians are contributing to primary health care teams in
community health centers and United States department of
veterans affairs clinics across the state by helping to manage
musculoskeletal and systemic conditions, ordering diagnostic
tests and prescribing medications; and

WHEREAS, expanding the scope of certified advanced
practice chiropractic physicians to formally include primary
care services would enhance access to timely, cost-effective
and holistic care for New Mexico residents, especially in rural
and underserved areas; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico chiropractic association has
developed a two-tiered certification system to allow certified
advanced practice chiropractic physicians to provide primary
care services while ensuring appropriate training, clinical
competency and regulatory oversight; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico chiropractic association's
proposed certification system aligns with national trends
toward integrative, team-based care and recognizes the evolving
competencies of chiropractic physicians in addressing chronic
disease and providing preventive care;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the house of
representatives support the expansion of the scope of practice
for properly trained and educated certified advanced practice
chiropractic physicians to include primary care services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the house of representatives
encourage the chiropractic board to continue developing and
refining certification standards and clinical training and
continuing education requirements to ensure the safe and
effective delivery of primary care by certified advanced
practice chiropractic physicians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the governor, the secretary of health, the
superintendent of regulation and licensing and the chiropractic
board.

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