Features

State Issues Rule To Amend Employee Abuse Registry

by

HCA News:

SANTA FE — The Health Care Authority has issued an emergency rule to amend the Employee Abuse Registry so older adults, people with disabilities, and others who need help with daily care are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.   

Under the revised rule, health care providers must check the Employee Abuse Registry before hiring staff and cannot employ individuals listed on it. The registry tracks individuals with substantiated cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation, which will prevent them to work in the field. 

“This emergency rule is a critical step in making sure Read More

Department Of Health Accepting Applications For Birthing Workforce Retention Fund

by

NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is accepting applications for the Birthing Workforce Retention Fund now through Friday, April 18. 

The fund provides grants to Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) and physicians (OB and Family Medicine) who provide full scope perinatal care, including birthing services, and need assistance to cover malpractice insurance premium costs.  

Up to $10,000 is granted per provider from the fund, administered by the NMDOH Maternal Health Program.

“This financial support to offset the cost of malpractice insurance is just one way Read More

New Mexico Paid Family And Medical Leave Bill Passes House Of Representatives, Heads To Senate

by

Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, debates House Bill 11 on the House floor at the state Capitol Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A revamped but still highly controversial proposal to provide paid family and medical leave to New Mexicans is heading to the state Senate after winning approval Friday from the state House of Representatives.

The passage of House Bill 11 marks a major win for supporters of the measure after a yearslong effort to offer paid leave to working families in the state failed to pass the chamber Read More

Nationwide Recovery Of Radioactive Devices By Los Alamos National Laboratory Hits Major Milestone … 100th Shipment

by

Last October, the Lab’s Mobile Loading Source Recovery Team and Off-Site Source Recovery Program managed the removal and shipment of a high-activity radioactive device, from Philadelphia, pictured above. The truck departed the facility at 1:18 a.m. to minimize impacts to city roadways. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

  • Partnership helps mitigate risk of terrorist attacks using a “dirty bomb”

Two Los Alamos National Laboratory teams that travel nationwide recovering potentially harmful radioactive material from devices at hospitals, universities, and research facilities completed a momentous Read More

New Mexico Governor Signs Landmark Public Safety And Behavioral Health Bills

by

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico, marking the halfway point of the 60-day legislative session with a landmark accomplishment on behalf of New Mexicans.

“These bills represent a significant milestone for both behavioral health services and criminal justice reform in New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham, who was joined Read More

Op-Ed: Reform The Medical Malpractice System To Address The Doctor Shortage

by

By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico

New Mexico’s lawyer-centered medical malpractice system, with no statutory caps on attorney’s fees or punitive damages and the lowest standard in the country for awarding punitive damages, is out of balance. It is driving up medical malpractice rates for New Mexico doctors to nearly twice what doctors pay in neighboring states.

That in turn is causing doctors to retire early or leave the state. In fact, New Mexico is the only state in the nation that experienced a loss of practicing physicians between 2019 and 2024. This is why so many New Mexicans Read More

LAMC’s 2025 Daisy Award Honoree Is Kathy Semelsburger

by

Los Alamos Medical Center’s Kathy Semelsburger, RN, left, is the 2025 Daisy Award Honoree shown here Wednesday morning receiving her award from LAMC’s Director of Surgical Services James Maxey, RN. She is honored, ‘In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.’ Semelsburger is the Charge Nurse in the Ambulatory Treatment Unit (ATU). She has worked in the ATU for 23 years and at LAMC for 24 years. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Medical Center CEO Tracie Stratton, second from left, together with Read More

New Mexico Launches Comprehensive Measles Resource

by

NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has launched a dedicated web resource to address the rising measles cases within state boundaries.

The comprehensive web resource hub at measles.doh.nm.gov features: 

  • Current New Mexico case counts (updated Tuesdays and Fridays). 
  • Detailed FAQ section addressing common questions. 
  • Prevention guidelines specific to New Mexico. 
  • Bilingual content in both English and Spanish. 

“While measles outbreaks don’t respect state lines, our response is uniquely New Mexican—comprehensive, bilingual, and accessible Read More

Legislative Roundup: 22 Days Remaining In Session

by

The Santa Fe New Mexican Staff:

Senate demands new leaders for WNMU: Senators on Friday called on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to hasten her selection of new regents to govern the embattled Western New Mexico University.

During Friday’s floor session, senators criticized Lujan Grisham’s delay in appointing new regents after all but one resigned in recent months. The board stepped down amid significant political pressure — including from the governor — following allegations of improper university spending involving former president Joseph Shepard.

“One single student regent is writing Read More

Denish: Building A Barn

by

By DIANE DENISH
Corner To Corner

Building a Barn takes a carpenter or a legislature.

I was reminded recently of a quote by former U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn: “Any Jackass can tear down a barn. It takes a carpenter to build one.” 

In a recent Senate Rules committee on Feb. 17, Senate Joint Resolution 6, sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla (D-Bernalillo) had its first committee hearing. This is the Early Childhood Trust Fund Constitutional Amendment. If approved by voters in the next general election, SJR6 will mandate the fund be spent only on prenatal and early childhood programs and services Read More