ALBUQUERQUE, NM—The New Mexico Pediatric Society (NMPS), an organization of pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists and other advanced practice professionals, has released its Agenda for New Mexico's Children ahead of the 2018 general election and 2019 Legislative Session. The four-page document includes policy recommendations organized under ten subject areas, such as access to care, home visiting, child protection, and behavioral health."Pediatricians have a front-row perspective about what being near last in child well-being really looks like for New Mexico's children in the near- and long-term. We are failing as a state in caring for and developing our next generation to its fullest potential," said NMPS President Brian Etheridge, MD, FAAP. "The Agenda is a way to highlight issues we see every day and make specific recommendations to the next Governor and local representatives in government for how to address these challenges in a focused manner and with a commitment for the long haul."The policy recommendations include reconvening the Children's Cabinet, improving the provision of pediatric specialty care for all children wherever they live in New Mexico, enrolling all eligible children in Medicaid, increasing staff levels at Child Protective Services, and facilitating collaboration among health care systems and state agencies.

"The Children's Cabinet was a step forward in recognizing that the critical services our state delivers for children are more effective when agencies work strategically and collaboratively, and as efficiently as possible with limited resources," said Dr. Etheridge, who practices in Silver City. "Our state needs a clear, overarching vision for improving child well-being, and the Agenda provides that framework."

The Agenda for New Mexico's Children is attached as a pdf and is available on the NMPS website: https://www.nmaap.org/

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