Features

Rep. Gabe Vasquez Of New Mexico Introduces Bill To Ensure Medical Debt Relief And Protections For Patients

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez

STATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) introduced H.R. 9129, the Patient Debt Relief Act, that provides relief and protections to millions of Americans burdened by medical debt.

The bill takes a fresh approach by establishing a grant program that enables non-profit organizations to purchase debt from hospitals while codifying protections for patients. Tuesday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus announced their support for the bill. 

“Suffering from a medical emergency should not mean putting your home or family’s future at risk – but too Read More

U.S. Senators Heinrich, Luján Call On FDA To Rely On Scientific Evidence For MDMA-Assisted Therapy To Treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Veterans

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SENATE News:

          • MDMA-assisted therapy could help address the mental and behavioral crisis, especially among American veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), alongside 17 of their Senate colleagues, urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner to rely on scientific evidence and data as the FDA considers approval of MDMA-Assisted Therapy (MDMA-AT) to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MDMA-AT could help address the mental and behavioral crisis, especially among American veterans.

“Existing treatments Read More

Robinson: Cold Food, Cold Coffee … Senior Care Facilities Can Do Better

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By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2024 New Mexico News Services

Two recent studies of New Mexico’s senior care facilities ring alarm bells.

In June the news organization ProPublica published a report that ranked New Mexico nursing homes fifth in serious deficiencies (Texas was first!); in the last three years, 28 of 68 homes had at least one deficiency causing “immediate jeopardy..

And recently the state Department of Health reported that after surprise inspections at one third of New Mexico’s senior care facilities, only 11 of 91 passed muster and about half scored 90%.

Given my family’s dismal Read More

Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Bill To Maintain Vital Access To Audio-Only Telehealth For Tribal Communities

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U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced the Telehealth Access for Tribal Communities Act of 2024, crucial legislation designed to protect access to essential healthcare services through audio-only telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries in tribal communities.

The bill seeks to extend the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) provision that allows audio-only telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries receiving care through Indian health programs or urban Indian Read More

Los Alamos County Ranks Among Top In U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Healthiest Communities

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U.S. News & World Report:
 2024 Healthiest Communities

  • U.S. News Announces 2024 Healthiest Communities Rankings Falls Church, Virginia, tops rankings that examine health outcomes, equity and mental health.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and civic journalism, today unveiled the 2024 Healthiest Communities rankings. Now in its sixth edition, the Healthiest Communities rankings serve as a tool to inform residents, community health leaders and elected officials about policies and best practices for better health outcomes.

For the Read More

LAMC To Host Sleep Lab Ribbon Cutting & Open House

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LAMC News:

The community is invited to tour and learn about Los Alamos Medical Center’s (LAMC) new Sleep Center beginning at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. Refreshments will be served at the event, which also features a ribbon cutting with the Los Alamos Chamber Of Commerce.

Note: Attendees are asked to please park in the lot in the back of the hospital. 

According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 70 million Americans have chronic sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy. These are conditions that make it hard for people to sleep at night or stay Read More

New Mexico Environment Dept. Cracks Down On 100 Plus Drinking Water Systems For Jeopardizing Customers Health

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NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Tuesday sent 138 letters to drinking water systems across the state, informing their owners of impending civil penalties if they continue to serve consumers unsafe drinking water.

The 138 drinking water systems are jeopardizing the health of more than  160,000 consumers.

Those who receive a letter must submit a plan to resolve their violation within 15 calendar days or risk a penalty of up to $1,000 per day afterwards as well as other sanctions by NMED or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

“While a number of government Read More

Governor Shares Results Of Unannounced Aging And Long-Term Care Facility Visits Across New Mexico

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From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — July 31, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham shared the results of unannounced inspections of senior care facilities across New Mexico that found at least one violation in 88 percent of the facilities inspected. 

The inspections, which took place from May 17 to May 19, included 91 visits and highlighted several areas needing improvement to ensure the health, safety and dignity of senior residents. The findings are outlined in this summary report. 

Of the 91 facilities included in the report, just 11 of them rated a perfect score of 100 percent, while another Read More

U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Announces Committee Passage Of Over $79 Million For New Mexico 

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich

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

          • Investments Heinrich Championed Support Service Members, Defense Installations and National Labs, Clean Energy, Water Infrastructure, Economic Development, Education, Health Care and Workforce Development 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Defense, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Read More

Gruninger: Older Adults Take A Ride With Us Free Around Town

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By JACCI GRUNINGER
Executive Director
LARSO

Note: This is the third column in a series written by Executive Director Jacci Gruninger to introduce Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization and its services to the community.

As we age, we often don’t feel comfortable driving any more or we get to a point where we can no longer safely drive ourselves. It can be challenging to rely on family and friends for this task.

The Los Alamos Retired and Older Adult Organization (LARSO), provides a free ride service catered to meet these transportation needs (a $4 per ride donation is always appreciated). The Read More