DEA Issues Warning About Illegal Online Pharmacies
DEA News:
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has seen an increase in illegal online pharmacies selling and shipping counterfeit pills made with fentanyl and methamphetamine to unsuspecting customers in the United States who believe they are purchasing real pharmaceutical drugs such as Oxycodone, Adderall, Xanax, and other drugs from legitimate pharmacies.
As Americans increasingly turn to online pharmacies to purchase necessary medications [1], DEA is issuing this Public Safety Alert to warn of an increase in illegal online, often foreign-based websites that are deceptively Read More
State OSI Announces 2025 Qualified Health Plan Rates … A Dozen Healthcare Plans For Less Than $10 A Month
Alice T. Kane
From the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance:
SANTA FE – The Office of the Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) completed its review of 2025 Qualified Health Plan (QHP) rates for New Mexico residents.
The OSI reviewed Individual Market – Medical applications from Health Care Service Corporation (dba BCBSNM), Molina Healthcare of New Mexico, Inc, Presbyterian Health Plan, Inc. and United Healthcare of New Mexico, Inc.
Overall, in 2025, New Mexicans will see a 10.2% rate increase in the individual market and 9% in the small group market. Despite these rate increases, subsidies Read More
LAMC: Save The Date For Women’s Expo Nov. 16
Walk To End Alzheimer’s: East Park To Pond & Back Oct. 5
County Blood Drive Underway In Muni Bldg. Parking Lot
Los Alamos County, in collaboration with Vitalant, is hosting a blood drive until 3 p.m today, Oct. 1 at this bloodmobile parked in the Municipal Building parking lot at 1000 Central Ave. The drive is to address the declining number of blood donations in the United States. Blood donations are essential for saving lives, as there is no substitute for human blood. Many patients, including those undergoing surgeries, battling cancer, or facing emergencies, rely on blood transfusions for survival. However, the number of Americans who donate blood is decreasing, posing a significant challenge Read More
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: What To Know About Your Mammogram
By JANET SANDY, FNP
Los Alamos Women’s Health
Los Alamos Medical Center
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time for all of us to acknowledge the impact breast cancer can have on our lives, and to learn about the ways we can keep ourselves healthy. Breast cancer is a health risk for many people, with one in eight women expected to develop the disease during her lifetime. Thankfully, breast cancer is very treatable – if detected early. For women who are at risk, scheduling screening mammograms on a regular basis is an essential part of managing your health.
This October, add Breast Cancer Awareness Read More
Los Alamos County To Host Blood Drive Tuesday
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County, in collaboration with Vitalant, is hosting a blood drive to address the declining number of blood donations in the United States. The drive will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the bloodmobile parked in the Municipal Building parking lot at 1000 Central Ave.
Blood donations are essential for saving lives, as there is no substitute for human blood. Many patients, including those undergoing surgeries, battling cancer, or facing emergencies, rely on blood transfusions for survival. However, the number of Americans who donate blood is decreasing, Read More
Health Care Authority: Deadline Extended For Federal Replacement Of Stolen SNAP Benefits
Health Care Authority News:
-
-
-
-
- SNAP customers encouraged to protect their EBT cards
-
-
-
SANTA FE – Food assistance recipients who had their benefits electronically stolen or skimmed will no longer be eligible to receive federal reimbursement after Dec. 20, 2024.
Federal assistance to reimburse Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers for electronically stolen or skimmed benefits has been extended from Sept. 30.
In late December 2022, Congress passed a law to protect and replace SNAP benefits stolen via card skimming, card cloning, and other similar methods. The law required Read More
Heinrich Delivers Over $5.4 Million To Strengthen Maternal & Newborn Care, Expand Mental Health Care, Substance Disorder Treatment
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced three Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grants he secured totaling $5,416,000 to strengthen maternal and newborn care, improving outcomes for mothers and babies in rural New Mexico, and to expand mental health care and substance use disorder treatment in Gallup and Carlsbad.
Heinrich secured these three grants in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Read More
NNMC Launches New Phlebotomy Certificate Program
NNMC News:
-
-
-
-
- Nursing & Health Sciences Department initiative is designed to meet growing healthcare demand
-
-
-
ESPAÑOLA — Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), which has been offering healthcare career pathways for more than 50 years, has announced the launch of its new Phlebotomy Certificate Program.
Enrollment is now open for this program, which begins in the spring 2025 semester. Students will receive hands-on training and practical experience in phlebotomy and the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the fast-growing field of healthcare.
As the demand for skilled healthcare professionals Read More
Council Proclaims October ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ In Los Alamos County
Los Alamos County Council proclaimed October ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Month’ during its regular meeting Tuesday night. From left, Susanne Egan, Nancy Partridge, Nancy Coombs and State Rep. Christine Chandler accept the proclamation from County Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos County Council proclaimed October as “Breast Cancer Awareness” during its regular meeting Tuesday.
Council Vice Chair Theresa Cull read the proclamation:
WHEREAS, in 2024, it is estimated that in the United States there will be 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer Read More
LAMC’s Free Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic Coming Up Saturday
LAMC News:
Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) is once again hosting its annual free drive-thru community flu shot clinic, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 at the hospital at 3917 West Road.
The flu vaccine will be administered in a drive-thru configuration that will not require people to get out of their vehicle. This clinic is for ages 18 and older only; children will not be inoculated. High-dose vaccines will be available for those 65 and older, as supplies last.
Attendees are asked to follow the signage at the hospital and follow instructions to receive their free vaccination. While this is a first-come, Read More
Luján, Cantwell, Tester, Baldwin, Rosen Introduce Bill To Prevent Fentanyl Trafficking Through U.S. Transportation Networks
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:
-
-
-
-
- Legislation would boost detection of illegal drug smuggling by air, sea, rail and road
- Bill gains backing by Narcotics Officers, Major City Chiefs, Forensic Science Labs, State Criminal Investigative Agencies, HIDTA Leaders
-
-
-
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Democrats, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced legislation to crack down on the trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, using the Read More
Will Domestic Abuse Happen Again?
By Victim’s Advocate
Los Alamos Police Department
Statistics from the National Network to End Domestic Violence show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men have been the victim of domestic violence. There is always a first time. Most victims are shell shocked the first time it happens. They question whether it was their fault. Was it a one-time event? Will it become a pattern? When your partner hits you, then promises it will never happen again, apologizing profusely, it is easy to believe them. You love them and they love you.
The truth is that domestic abuse doesn’t tend to be an isolated incident, and statistics Read More
LACDC Staff Complete Narcan Training
LACDC News:
Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation (LACDC) has announced that its staff has just finished Narcan training and is now a Narcan distribution center at its office within the Small Business Center at 190 Central Park Square.
Anyone in need of Narcan is welcome to stop by the LACDC office to pick some up for free, no questions asked.
Anyone or their staff who would like to be Narcan certified as well may contact the Los Alamos Social Services Division at 505.662.8068 to schedule an in person or zoom class.
These classes are free and open to anyone. Read More
County Shares Safe Driving Tips For Homecoming Weekend
By JESSICA STRONG
Social Services Manager
Los Alamos County
This weekend is Homecoming, with many activities happening in Los Alamos County Friday and Saturday. The Los Alamos County DWI Planning Council, the Los Alamos County Health Council and the Los Alamos County Police Department want to remind parents and high school Toppers that even though it is a time to celebrate, it is also a time to make sure safety remains a priority.
In 2022, a total of 2,883 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute). These fatalities Read More
Richins: Get Prepared For Respiratory Virus Season
By JOYCE RICHINS, BS, RN, CIC
Infection Preventionist
Los Alamos Medical Center
As a member of the Los Alamos County Health Council, I would like to help prepare you for the 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season. Influenza, RSV and COVID are just around the corner.
Predictions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (https://www.cdc.gov/cfa-qualitative-assessments/php/data-research/season-outlook24-25/index.html) suggest this season’s peak hospitalization rate will be similar to or lower than last year. Of course, there is still a risk of a higher peak rate.
Respiratory Read More
Winter Moratorium: Utility Disconnection Rule Update
COUNTY News:
-
-
-
-
- Winter utility disconnection rule update
-
-
-
The Los Alamos County Board of Public Utilities adopted a change to the rule regarding utility disconnection during winter months at its Sept. 18 meeting. Rule GR 13.06 now clearly identifies which customers are eligible for protection from utility service disconnection between Nov. 15 and March 15.
The updated rule states that to qualify for the winter disconnection moratorium of the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU), residential customers must either provide DPU with proof of LIHEAP eligibility or meet eligibility Read More
Stansbury Fights To Disrupt Criminal Suppliers Of Fentanyl
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
Congressional News:
WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) has introduced the Stop the Opioid Pill Presser and Fentanyl Act (STOPP Fentanyl Act) to commercially disrupt global criminal networks and suppliers of illicit drugs like fentanyl.
“The devastating impact of the fentanyl crisis is deeply personal for me. Sadly, like millions of Americans, this epidemic has touched my life with the death of a close friend,” Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) said. “Drug traffickers and suppliers adapt quickly, and so should we. Our focus must remain on Read More
Think New Mexico Releases Policy Report Proposing Plan, Recommendations To Solve Health Care Worker Shortage
Staff Report
Think New Mexico just released a new policy report proposing a 10-point plan with 20 separate legislative recommendations to address the urgent crisis of New Mexico’s health care worker shortage.
The number of primary care physicians in New Mexico fell by 30% from 2017-2021 and the numbers of ob-gyns, registered nurses, dentists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and EMTs have also declined sharply in recent years according to data collected by the New Mexico Health Care Workforce Committee.
To reverse this growing shortage, Think New Mexico’s new report proposes legislative Read More
