The bill amends Section 24-14-20 of the New Mexico Statutes to allow physician assistants to certify the death of a patient, expanding the list of medical professionals who can complete and sign the medical certification of cause of death. Specifically, the language now includes "physician assistant" alongside "physician" and "nurse practitioner" as eligible to sign the certification, provided they were in charge of the patient's care for the illness or condition that resulted in death. This change aims to streamline the death certification process and acknowledges the role of physician assistants in patient care.

Additionally, the bill updates definitions related to healthcare facilities and professionals, replacing references to the "department of health" with "care authority" for both hospitals and nursing homes. This reflects a shift in regulatory oversight and ensures that the definitions align with current healthcare governance. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the efficiency of death registration while recognizing the contributions of physician assistants in the healthcare system.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 24-14-20