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HM 13

"PUBLIC HEALTH DAY"

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Liz Thomson

Designates Feb 5, 2025 as Public Health Day to recognize NM public health groups and councils; no funding, but recognition and copies sent to the governor and health secretary.

Signed
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Bill Summary · HM 13

Summary of HM 13 — "Public Health Day" Memorial

Overview

HM 13 is a memorial in the New Mexico House of Representatives that designates February 5, 2025 as "Public Health Day" in the House. The resolution recognizes and celebrates New Mexico’s public health organizations, particularly the New Mexico Public Health Association and the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils (including its county and tribal health councils), along with related community-based organizations, for their contributions to community well-being and health equity. It directs dissemination of copies to the governor and the secretary of health.

Purpose and Intent

  • To honor the role of public health in promoting and protecting the health of New Mexicans across communities.
  • To acknowledge the pivotal work of public health organizations in navigating public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine promotion and delivery.
  • To highlight the importance of place-based public and community health organizations in identifying local needs, reducing health inequities, and maintaining public health infrastructure.
  • To recognize the long history and ongoing partnerships among public health groups, health councils, and state agencies that support local health planning and coordination.

Key Provisions

  • Declares February 5, 2025 as "Public Health Day" within the House of Representatives.
  • Recognizes and celebrates the achievements of New Mexico’s public health organizations, including:
    • New Mexico Public Health Association (established in 1917; state affiliate of the American Public Health Association)
    • New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils and its constituent county and tribal health councils
    • Other critical community-based organizations
  • Acknowledges the combined 142 years of service of these organizations in improving community well-being and advancing health equity.
  • Directs that copies of the memorial be transmitted to the governor and the secretary of health for appropriate distribution.

Background Context Included in the Memorial

  • The NM Public Health Association’s history and its role in public health workforce development and health equity, including addressing legacy harms such as settler colonialism, genocide, and racism.
  • The evolution of county and tribal health councils dating back to the 1991 County Maternal and Child Health Plan Act, amendments in 2007, and the 2019 County and Tribal Health Councils Act that updated roles and functions for tribal and county health councils and the NM Department of Health.
  • Emphasizes the councils’ roles as hubs of local public health systems, producers of assessments and plans, program delivery, funding coordination, and interagency collaboration.

Procedural/Timeline Highlights

  • Introduced: February 4, 2025
  • Status: Signed (final action occurred February 6, 2025)
  • Legislative actions show prior steps of committee considerations (withdrawn from committee, passed House) prior to final signing.

Impact and Affected Parties

  • A ceremonial designation with no new mandates or funding requirements.
  • Acknowledges and uplifts the work of: NM Public Health Association, NM Alliance of Health Councils, county and tribal health councils, and related community organizations.
  • Signals official recognition by the Legislature and information to the Governor and the NM Department of Health.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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