Features

NM Superintendent Of Insurance Urges Consumers To Understand Their Role In Prior Authorization Process

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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

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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

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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

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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

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

          • Legislation would expand services—from IVF to adoption assistance—covered by DoD and VA

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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