Features

McQuiston: What It Really Costs To Go To The ER After A Car Accident In New Mexico

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By ALLEN MCQUISTON
Jemez Insurance Agency
Serving Los Alamos Since 1963

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough — but an ER visit afterward can also hit you with some serious bills.

Here’s what you can actually expect if you need emergency care after a crash in New Mexico.

First: Just Walking Into the ER Costs Money

Even if your injuries seem minor, just stepping into an ER comes with built-in charges.

Triage and Facility Fees:

  • Most New Mexico hospitals charge around $1,200 to $2,500 just for evaluating you and using the ER.

Doctor’s Fee:

  • The ER physician will send a separate bill, usually
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Take Survey For Upcoming Health, Wellness & Resource Fair

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C’YA News:

Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA) is sponsoring a Health, Wellness and Resource Survey. It is meant for ages 18 and up. What things would you like to see here? What resources do you need more information about?

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/UZnQsgw9tq8G5MiA6.

C’YA is not collecting individual information and will not respond. The goal is to have many things to offer at a May 3 Health, Wellness and Resource Fair, which will have information for all ages and stages of life.

Anyone who has additional questions, wants a hard copy or would like to respond in further detail may Read More

Governor Signs Into Law Increase To Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate On New Mexico’s Best State Lands

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Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard pushed for legislation to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands will be signed into law today by the governor. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

STATE News:

  • Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals 

SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state Read More

NMDOH: April Is National Alcohol Awareness Month

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — Alcohol Awareness Month is an ideal time to educate ourselves and others about alcohol-related risks, such as cancer, chronic liver disease, and death as well as to acknowledge those who are in recovery. 

New Mexico has historically had the highest rate of alcohol-related death in the nation. When comparing the most recently available national data from 2021, the state’s rate of alcohol-related death was more than two times higher than the alcohol-related death rate in the United States. Still, some progress is being made. In 2023, there were 1,896 alcohol-related deaths Read More

New Mexico Primary Care Council Regular Meeting Today

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HCA News:

Notice is hereby given that the New Mexico Primary Care Council will convene for a regular meeting at 10 a.m., today, Thursday, April 10, virtually via Zoom. The public is welcome, and information about how to join the meeting is below.  

Copies of the agenda will be posted and available on the Health Care Authority’s website. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Alex Willey, Staff Manager – MAD at alexandra.willey@hca.nm.gov. An individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified signed language interpreter, or other form of auxiliary aid or service Read More

Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic Welcomes Amy Vandling

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LAMCC Provider Amy Vandling

LAMCC News:

Amy Vandling has joined the Los Alamos Medical Care Clinic (LAMCC) team.

Vandling is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner who originally started at LAMCC as a staff nurse working in multiple positions. She returned to school at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing, graduated with her Master of Science in May of 2024, and has rejoined the LAMCC practice as a provider.

Vandling has lived in Los Alamos for 20 years. She is committed to building lasting relationships with her patients, providing them with high quality, evidence-based care in the Read More

Governor Signs Bill To Strengthen Public Safety Response, Mental Health Crisis Hotline, And Support Services

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The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo

NMDFA News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed Senate Bill 535, legislation to strengthen public safety, crisis response, and workers’ compensation through fees and surcharges increases. The bill also establishes a framework for supported decision-making. 

“This funding helps local entities with the resources needed to build a modern, equitable emergency communications network statewide,” said Secretary Wayne Propst of the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration (NMDFA). “By moving to Next Generation 911, we Read More

Department Of Health Recognizes Public Health Workers

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — This week is the perfect time to recognize the contributions of public health workers and the impact they have on their communities.  

That’s because it is National Public Health Week (April 7-13), which The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is using to celebrate our state’s public health workers. One of the key themes is It Starts Here: Your Health is Our Mission.   

“The health and wellbeing of every New Mexican remains the top priority for every public health worker in our agency,” said Esperanza Lucero, director for NMDOH’s Center for Read More

LAMC Publishes 2024 Community Benefit Report

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LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton

LAMC News:

          • Report outlines hospital’s impact on health and economic vitality of Northern New Mexico

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) today published its community benefit report for the 2024 calendar year. This annual report outlines the various ways the hospital is working to support the health and economic vitality of Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico as part of its mission of making communities healthier®.

“As a leader in our community and region, we are committed to providing high-quality care close to home, investing in our region’s overall well-being and making Read More

Enforcement Watch Alert: 78 Enforcement Actions Initiated; 124 Resolved In March 2025

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released Enforcement Watch updates for the month of March 2025. The Enforcement Watch is a listing of all active and resolved enforcement cases.

Active cases involve an alleged violation of a regulation, rule, permit, license, etc. Resolved cases are those that were adjudicated in court of law or administratively resolved. The Enforcement Watch also provides tools for the public to report alleged environmental or workplace safety violations. 

“Our efforts throughout the state significantly enhance the well-being of New Read More