OPINION: A simple answer: Join the interstate health care worker compacts

Why would you do that? Why would you drive 785 miles round trip over three days to take your child to multiple medical appointments? And then, the next question: How do you do that? You miss work and your child misses school, and the cost. How?

For us, the answer is simple: We do what we have to do because the care our child needs is unavailable in New Mexico.

Our 16-year-old son, Henry, is a vibrant, thriving child who loves listening to music, laughing, watching sports and all things in the water, with swimming and paddleboarding being his favorites. Henry is the two things every parent hopes for and strives for: He is healthy and happy.

Keeping him healthy and thriving takes a village — actually, more like an army — because Henry has special needs. His multiple diagnoses come with several associated conditions, such as hypothyroidism, gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysregulated sleep, to name a few.

Some of Henry’s medical issues thankfully have been addressed and resolved, like the open duct in his heart; yet, his heart requires monitoring by a cardiologist to ensure normal function, growth and physical activity. And there is a hefty list of risk factors and conditions across medical specialties that we track to ensure Henry’s continued health and well-being.

Henry currently has seven specialists who follow him and his development. Four of these specialists need to see Henry every six months to reassess signs and symptoms, complete bloodwork and update his care plan. To receive this health care that Henry needs and deserves, we travel out of state.

In fact, we just returned from our twice annual trip to Colorado, during which I strategically scheduled three appointments over two days. Henry missed school; we missed work. It is a lot to ask of any child, but particularly one with special needs, to manage the strain of the long car ride and back-to-back appointments.

On top of all this, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends ongoing weekly therapies for a child with Henry’s diagnoses. Finding those therapists in New Mexico is downright impossible. And so, at this point, Henry goes without much of what is recommended and would improve his quality of life.

As unique as our child’s situation is, Henry is one of many children living in New Mexico who need medical care and therapies that are simply unavailable here. Sadly, I have talked with parents who have resigned themselves to being unable to get the care that would benefit their child because they cannot travel due to time and financial constraints.

The very good news is that the strain of our situation and many more like ours could be addressed, and some relief is within reach.

Our state Legislature has an opportunity to allow New Mexico to become a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which makes it much easier for doctors licensed in other states to treat patients here in New Mexico. If our state joined the 43 other states that already participate in this compact, we could complete a number of our medical appointments from our home — without the travel, without the loss of schedule and routine, time and money.

I urge our Legislature to help families like mine by passing legislation during the upcoming special session to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, as well as the similar compacts for psychologists, counselors, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech therapists, dentists, emergency medical personnel and social workers.

Our story is complicated, as is the poor state of health care in New Mexico. However, at least one part of the answer is simple. Legislators, please take this simple step to improve access to health care for my child and for all New Mexicans: Join the interstate health care worker compacts.

Anna Sass, of New Mexico, is the mother of a child with special needs and an advocate for New Mexico joining health care worker compacts.