In 2003, the New Mexico legislature passed Senate Joint Memorial (SJM) 076, requesting the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) "lead a study on the development of a Community Health Advocacy Program in New Mexico, including the program’s methods, structure, financing, and implementation, that utilizes various categories of community health advocates."  The Memorial further resolved that recommendations be developed to address:

·        economic opportunities for communities

·        reimbursement for community health advocate services

·        tax incentives for employment by private health-care providers

·        best-practice quality measures for Medicaid and other contract providers

The Memorial was a major step toward recognition of community health workers (CHWs) as important partners in New Mexico’s health-care system, and the resulting report is the most comprehensive study of CHWs in New Mexico to date.  The report, which was funded by the University of New Mexico Kellogg Community Voices at the Center for Community Partnerships, builds upon earlier studies and incorporates primary data from surveys, focus groups, and interviews with CHWs. 

The portrait of CHWs that emerged has nationwide implications for health-care policy.  Credentialing and community acceptance of CHWs is a critical link in developing sustainable financing policies.  Replication of this report in other states could be an important step toward integration of CHWs into the U.S. health-care system.  The authors will suggest strategies for replication and informing policymakers and public-private sectors, review methodologies used to gather and analyze data, sample policy recommendations, and address core competencies and community values.