Short title; purpose.

A. Chapter 61, Article 6 NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Medical Practice Act". B. In the interest of the public health, safety and welfare and to protect the public from the improper, unprofessional, incompetent and unlawful practice of medicine, it is necessary to provide laws and rules controlling the granting and use of the privilege to practice medicine and to establish a medical board to implement and enforce the laws and rules. C. The primary duties and obligations of the medical board are to issue licenses to qualified health care practitioners, including physicians, physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants, to discipline incompetent or unprofessional physicians, physician assistants or anesthesiologist assistants and to aid in the rehabilitation of impaired physicians, physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants for the purpose of protecting the public.