Features

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Applauds Final Passage Of Historic Veterans Health Care Bill

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, spoke at a press conference after the Senate voted 86 to 11 on the final passage of the bipartisan SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The legislation now goes to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

WATCH: Heinrich Speaks At Honoring Our PACT Act Final Passage Press Conference

Heinrich thanked all of the veterans, families, and organizations who Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill To Eliminate Copays For Veterans Accessing Contraception

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U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), joined a bipartisan group of senators to introduce the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act to eliminate copayments for contraception covered by VA.

“All veterans should be able to easily access the essential care and benefits they deserve, including contraception,” Heinrich said. “Eliminating these co-payments will close an unfair loophole and ensure that women veterans enrolled in the Read More

New Mexico’s Nationally Leading Oil And Gas Emissions Rule Becomes Law Aug. 5, 2022

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Environment Department Secretary James Kenney

STATE News:

SANTA FE — A nationally leading rule over the oil and gas industry that will cut harmful air emissions by 260 million pounds is now state law – a fulfillment of one of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first commitments made in office.

The rule, which was developed with input from more than 520 stakeholders representing industry, environmental groups and the public, was published in the state register this week.

The rule will go into effect Aug. 5, 2022.

The new rule embraces innovation and is more protective of public health and the environment Read More

Luján On Final Senate Passage Of PACT Act For Veterans

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement Tuesday on final passage of the PACT Act, a vital piece of legislation that will provide 3.5 million veterans health care coverage for treating toxin-exposure related health injuries.

After signed into law, the PACT Act will fund health care and specialized medical treatments for veterans who’ve been exposed to toxic chemicals from burn-pits during their time of service. 

“Today, America witnessed the sheer determination and payoff of our veterans and Senate Democrats’ Read More

Senate Kills VA Plan To Close CBOCs Nationwide

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Courtesy/DVS

DVS News:

New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Cabinet Secretary Sonya Smith is praising the bipartisan decision of 12 U.S. Senators to not support a plan by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to close more than 30 VA medical centers, and 172 clinics across the country—including five here in New Mexico. 

The formal voice of non-support June 27 has effectively killed the plan by halting confirmation hearings, before they even started, for nominees to serve on VA’s nine-member Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission.  

The commission, formed by Read More

LAPS Names Caron Inglis District Healthy Schools Director

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Healthy Schools Director Caron Inglis

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) has named Caron Inglis as the new Healthy Schools Director for the district.

The Healthy Schools program was started in 2016 and aims to support the well-being of all LAPS students and staff by fostering strong relationships, creating safe environments, and developing skills to provide the foundation for effective teaching and learning.

“Over the course of the last six years, the Healthy Schools program has been successful in making wellness an integral part of Los Alamos Public Schools,” Inglis said. “I am Read More

Heinrich Introduces Legislation To Address Mental Health Care Provider Shortages And Improve Access To Services At Community Health Centers

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced the Mental Health Workforce and Language Access Act, legislation to address the severe mental health care provider shortages and improve access to affordable services at community health centers.

The bill would provide new incentives to help bolster the mental health workforce, and establish a new program that would provide federal grants to community health centers to help them recruit, hire, and employ qualified mental health professionals who are fluent in a language other Read More

On The Job In Los Alamos: Dr. Angela Bratton

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On the job in Los Alamos Monday is Dr. Angela Bratton of Eye Associates of New Mexico. Dr. Bratton graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and has been practicing for 28 years. Eye Associates of New  Mexico opened in 2002 at 1623 Central Ave. For information, call 505.662.5444. #worklosalamos #wherediscoveriesaremade. Photo by Jenn Bartram/ladailypost.com Read More

ECECD Invests $4.3 Million To Stabilize And Support Vital Early Childhood Services

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ECECD News:

SANTA FE — Wednesday, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) announced that it has issued another round of one-time payments to recognize the early intervention and home visiting professionals who continued serving young children and families throughout the pandemic.

This new round of payments also included stabilization grants to the businesses throughout New Mexico that provide early intervention and home visiting, as well as payments directly to families enrolled in ECECD’s Home Visiting program.

“New Mexico’s early childhood system is Read More