Features

New Mexico Higher Education Department Offering $14.6 Million In Debt Relief For Health Care Workers

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NMHED Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez

NMHED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) is encouraging licensed health care professionals working in New Mexico to apply for its Health Professional Loan Repayment Program, which provides eligible applicants with up to $25,000 in student loan forgiveness.

Those interested in applying can do so here via the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s website until 5 p.m. May 1.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham approved $14.6 million for the program this year. The funding could support more than 700 working health professionals Read More

House Committee Advances SCREENS For Cancer Act

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Molly Guthrie

Healthcare News:

Susan G. Komen®, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, has  commended members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for passing the Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act, an important step in the legislation becoming law. 

Approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in December 2023, the legislation awaits approval by the full U.S. Senate and House, along with President Joe Biden’s signature, to become law.

The SCREENS for Cancer Read More

Los Alamos Public Schools Prevention Program Highlights 2024 National Drugs And Alcohol Facts Week

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LAPS News:

What is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®?

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide.

It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens Read More

Rep. Melanie Stansbury Co-Leads Bill To Help Seniors

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U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) and Carol Miller (W.V.-01), introduced the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act or SAFE Act.

This bill permits occupational and physical therapists to administer falls risks assessments for seniors as part of their Medicare Annual Wellness benefit. The bill will also require Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress on the number of falls experienced by our seniors and the number of seniors who received treatment for Read More

Catch Of The Week: United Healthcare Cyber Attack

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Could your business keep going if key services suddenly were offline, and if you were unable to get paid for your services? That would likely be problematic, right?

This is the situation faced by doctors across the nation after Optum’s Change Healthcare suffered a ransomware attack, causing them to shut down their networks on Feb. 21, 2024.

Change Healthcare is owned by UnitedHealth Group, the biggest healthcare company in the US. Change Healthcare provides payment processing, allows for checking of patient benefits, and manages Read More

New Mexico Aging And Long-Term Services Celebrates 52nd Anniversary Of Senior Nutrition Program

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ALTSD News:

SANTA FE — This March, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) joins the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and senior nutrition service providers across the country to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the national Senior Nutrition Program with the theme, “Connection in Every Bite.”

Since 1972, the Senior Nutrition Program has supported nutrition services for older adults. Funded by the Older Americans Act, local senior nutrition programs serve as hubs for adults (60 and older) to access nutritious meals and other vital services that strengthen Read More

Luján, Sanders Applaud Boehringer Ingelheim For Reducing Inhaler Costs To $35

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News: 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded the announcement from Boehringer Ingelheim that it would cap patient copays for all of its inhalers at $35 starting June 1, 2024.

The company also announced that it will lower the list price of some of its inhalers.

The announcement comes on the heels of the January 8 HELP Committee investigation, led by Chairman Sanders and Sen. Luján, along with HELP Committee members Tammy Baldwin Read More

First Born Pays It Forward To Women’s Health Services

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Holding copies of the health guide gifted by FBPLA to Los Alamos Women’s Health Services, from left, FBPLA Board President Karen Holmes, FBPLA Executive Director Ellen Specter, Los Alamos Women’s Health Services OBGyn Dr. Sharon Ransom and Los Alamos Women’s Health Services Medical Assistant Elisama Cano-Gutierrez. Photo by Darrylinn Tafoya/ Los Alamos Women’s Health Services

FBPLA News:

The First Born Program of Los Alamos (FBPLA) is collaborating with the Los Alamos Women’s Health Services to provide pregnant patients with a book about pelvic floor health. During a recent meeting Read More

MANNM Warns Patients Of Bogus Website

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MANNM News:

Medical Associates of Northern New Mexico (MANNM) provides its patients with an online Patient Portal, where patients can access medical records, get appointment reminders, or even contact their providers and their care team.

However, MANNM would like to warn its patients of a bogus website masquerading as its Patient Portal. Do not click on the edoctorlink portal, as this is not affiliated with MANNM. Any information sent through edoctorlink will not be received by MANNM.

To access MANNM’s Patient Portal, click on MANNM’s Portal link at mannm.com or download the Healow app.  Read More

Acupuncture Center Of Los Alamos: Preventative Medicine

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At the Acupuncture Center of Los Alamos, owner Dr. Aimee Price, left, and Dr. Erika Bittner treat a wide variety of physical, mental and emotional ailments. Courtesy photo

Acupuncture Center Of Los Alamos News:

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique that is 3,000 years old. It uses very fine needles to stimulate acupuncture points within the body. The art of Acupuncture aims to recalibrate and rebalance health by promoting the smooth flow of energy. It does this by putting the body into a state of relaxation where the body is now able to heal itself.

At the Acupuncture Center of Los Read More