NM Superintendent Of Insurance Urges Consumers To Understand Their Role In Prior Authorization Process
NMOSI News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance urges all health insurance consumers to actively monitor the status of any prior authorization requests submitted on their behalf. Prior authorization is your health insurance company’s review of a request for medication, procedure, or specialist visits before you get care. Sometimes prior authorization is required, and sometimes it is optional, either way, it may affect whether your care is covered. The insurer looks at whether the service is medically necessary, whether it is being done in the right setting (like Read More
Dr. Robert Ortega Discusses Managing Political Stress Ahead Of Aug. 28 Forum At Fuller Lodge
Dr. Robert Ortega of RIO Therapies in Washington, D.C., will offer strategies for coping with today’s stressful political climate at a forum Thursday evening at Fuller Lodge. Courtesy photo
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
Dr. Robert Ortega, a Washington, D.C.-based psychologist who specializes in treating people who work in social and political activism, will offer strategies to help Los Alamos residents cope with today’s stressful political climate. His forum is 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday at Fuller Lodge.
The free, nonpartisan event is hosted by Los Alamos Read More
‘A Matter of Balance’ Fall Prevention Program Begins Sept. 8
The June 2025 ‘A Matter of Balance’ graduates gather for a photo. Courtesy/LARSO
LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) announces the last “A Matter of Balance” class of 2025. A Matter of Balance (AMOB) is an evidence-based course of eight sessions to help those older than 60 years old retrain their brains to prevent fall events that can lead to hospitalization or death.
The eight classes run 9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays starting Sept. 8 at the White Rock Senior Activity Center. Please plan to attend all sessions. To sign up for the class, please call 505.672.2034. Read More
New Mexico Public Health Offices To Close For Labor Day
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — State public health and administrative offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day.
All New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) offices will reopen as scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 2.
The NMDOH Helpline, 1-833-SWNURSE (1.833.796.8773), will be available during regular business hours through the holiday weekend:
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; and
- 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday.
The Helpline is staffed by nurses available to speak in English and Spanish for health questions, health care connections and provider support.
The Helpline can also help Read More
Heinrich, Colleagues Introduce Legislation To Help Veterans Struggling With Infertility Grow Their Families
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
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- Legislation would expand services—from IVF to adoption assistance—covered by DoD and VA
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined his colleagues, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in introducing legislation to make it easier for veterans who struggle with infertility to build their families.
The Veteran Families Health Services Act would expand fertility treatments and family-building services covered under Read More
Brain Health Boom: Los Alamos Wellness Practices Expand To Meet Rising Demand
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on technique used to release tension in the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The treatment is often used to improve nervous system function and support overall brain health. Courtesy/Los Alamos Integrative Health Center
By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com
From sharper memory to steadier moods, brain health is becoming the new cornerstone of wellness. Defined as the ability to sustain cognitive performance and emotional balance over a lifetime, it is drawing unprecedented attention nationwide not Read More
State Announces Significant Rate Increases For 2026 ACA Plans, State Premium Support Will Continue To Help Enrollees With Costs
OSI News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) has approved 2026 rates for individual market Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans sold on and off BeWell, the New Mexico Health Insurance Marketplace, with an average increase of 35.7%. Today, 75,000 New Mexicans buy health insurance through BeWell and 88% of enrollees qualify for federal and state premium assistance. While it appears that Congress will allow enhanced federal Premium Tax Credits to expire, New Mexico’s Health Care Affordability Fund (HCAF) will cover the loss of the enhanced premium tax credits Read More
Youth-Adult Partnership To Elevate Youth Voices In New Mexico’s Public Health
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health is launching the Youth-Adult Partnership, a new initiative bringing together youth and adults from across the state to help shape public health programs
The Youth-Adult Partnership (YAP) will culminate in a Youth Empowerment Action (YEA) Summit, early in 2026, is designed to elevate youth voices and support public health strategies that reflect the needs and experiences of young people in New Mexico.
“YAP is a paradigm shift in how we lead change,” Tessa-Medina-Lucero said, adolescent health coordinator with the Read More
Role Of Grandparents In Our Current Culture
Gisel Martinez
By Gisel Martinez
Member
Los Alamos County Health Council
As our understanding of parenting continues to evolve, so does the role of grandparents. For many families, grandparents are pillars of support offering childcare, wisdom, and love across generations. But in this rapidly shifting cultural and technological landscape, their journey often includes navigating unfamiliar ideas about discipline, gender roles, mental health, screen time, and even food. This new terrain can be both enriching and emotionally challenging.
So how do grandparents stay connected, informed, Read More
Albuquerque Veterans Affairs Medical Center To Receive Infrastructure Improvements
DVA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Department of Veterans Affairs will realign an additional $800 million this fiscal year as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance program, which makes infrastructure improvements to health care facilities to ensure safe and effective patient care.
The extra funding means more resources to repair and update aging VA facilities and technology. The additional funds will come from savings gleaned from various VHA reform efforts. The additions will bring total NRM program spending for fiscal year 2025 to $2.8 billion — a nearly Read More
Daily Postcard: Friendly Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Lands For A Snack
Daily Postcard: Friendly ruby-throated hummingbird lands for a snack. Photo by Marcela Walker Read More
‘Second Two Last’ Band To Headline Summer Concert Friday
‘Second Two Last’ to headline the Summer Concert Friday at Ashley Pond Park. Courtesy photo
By Pablo Irlando-Wildman
CEO
Sancre Productions
Don’t miss the band “Second Two Last” this Friday, Aug. 22, at the FREE Los Alamos Summer Concert Series show at Ashley Pond Park, sponsored by Los Alamos Medical Center and Intermountain Health’s Flight & Ambulance Services.
“Second 2 Last” is not just a band; they’re a dynamic collective of talented musicians who understand the art of live performance. Their ability to read the audience and adapt their setlist in real-time is a hallmark of their shows, Read More
Regional Behavioral Health Plans Funding Process Begins
Karl Reifsteck
NMSC News:
SANTA FE — Financial assistance to support regional behavioral health planning is available through a planning funding announcement issued today by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
Up to $45,000 will be awarded to one local, tribal or quasi-governmental organization in each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions to coordinate the development of regional plans for delivering behavioral health services.
“This funding will help each behavioral health region identify its priorities, engage stakeholders and create an implementation plan that Read More
Daily Postcard: Brace For It!
Daily Postcard: A brave boy braces for a major drenching at the splash pad on Sunday in White Rock! ‘Thanks to all at the County for providing this fun play area for our youngsters!’ –Ron Roybal. Photo by Ron Roybal Read More
Project Venture Spotlights Culturally Grounded Approach To Build Resilience, Reduce Opioid & Overdose Crisis Risk
FORE News:
The U.S. opioid and overdose crisis has disproportionately impacted American Indian and Alaska Native communities — yet prevention strategies too often overlook cultural traditions, tribal beliefs, and the effects of historical and ongoing trauma. Indigenous adolescents face some of the highest risks, including higher rates of overdose, suicide, depression, and adverse childhood experiences than other racial and ethnic groups.
A new video from the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) spotlights Project Venture, an innovative program on the Pine Ridge Reservation Read More
Governor Marks 90th Anniversary Of Social Security
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today celebrated 90 years of one of the most iconic, successful programs in American history, recognizing Social Security as a system that has lifted millions out of poverty, treated people with dignity, and provided security in their retirement years.
The governor emphasized that Social Security represents earned income for retirees and disabled workers—while calling out Congress for failing to address the real financial pressures facing the program.
“While Congress refuses to deal with inflation and the real-life Read More
NMED, NMDOH Study Shows Military ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found In Blood Of Curry County New Mexico Residents
STATE News:
SANTA FE — A first-of-its-kind blood testing study in New Mexico found that 99.7% participants living or working near Cannon Air Force Base had one or more per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” in their blood, with residents near the base’s contamination plume three times more likely to have elevated levels.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) released the results today from the $1.2 million PFAS blood testing project, funded entirely by NMED, for 628 people in rural Curry County near Cannon Read More
Foundations Of Autism On-Site Training Oct. 15–16
UNM News:
Attention—family caregivers, foster parents, public healthcare professionals and those in managed care organizations, Pueblos, CYFD, IHS and others who support underserved populations in New Mexico, specifically rural communities!
You are invited to attend Foundations of Autism Training, presented by the UNM Center for Development and Disability. This is a two-day presentation series, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Oct. 15–16, followed by a four weeks of lunch and learn sessions, from 12–1 p.m., Oct. 22, 29, and Nov. 5, and 12. The community training provides education and resources Read More
Registration Is Open For NM Conference On Aging
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — Registration for the 47th Annual New Mexico Conference on Aging is now open through Aug. 29.
This year’s event will take place at the Glorieta Conference Center from Sept. 23–25 and is presented by the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) and the Anchorum Health Foundation.
This year’s conference theme, “EngAGE as you Age,” will focus on healthy aging and vibrant living. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in informative sessions, recreational activities, and get connected with important resources.
“Whether you are a caregiver, Read More
Demolition Begins On Former Columbian Club Building To Make Way For Construction Of CHRISTUS St. Vincent’s Multi-specialty Health Care Facility
Demolition shown here Tuesday has begun to remove the old building, owned by Columbian Club of Los Alamos and leased by Knights of Columbus at 401 Trinity Drive, to make way for the construction of CHRISTUS St. Vincent’s new 25,000 square-foot, multi-specialty health care facility. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com Read More
