Telehealth commission created; powers and duties; membership – N.M. Stat. Ann. §24-1G-4

The New Mexico Telehealth Commission is part of the Department of Health.  The Commission consists of at least 25 governor appointed members, 1/3 of whom must come from rural areas.  The members must be chosen from various fields as outlined in the statute. 

The Commission’s duties include the following:

•          identify how telehealth can be used to increase access to health care; 
•          identify barriers to telehealth use;
•          identify the state’s telehealth capabilities and develop a financial assessment of failing to develop the state’s capabilities;
•          coordinate public and private entities to expand telehealth capacity;
•          develop and disseminate telehealth standards and guidelines to enhance quality of care, positive health outcomes, and privacy/confidentiality;
•          meet at least quarterly;
•          report annually to the governor and legislature.