Healthcare

Governor Signs Landmark Bills To Improve Healthcare Affordability And Access For New Mexicans

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STATE News:

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Friday signed into law legislation that builds on the administration’s work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for every New Mexican. 

“Delivering quality healthcare to New Mexico’s population requires a tailored approach that takes into account rural communities, New Mexicans benefiting from Medicaid, and the tens of thousands of public employees in our state,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “These are bills that are going to positively impact a vast swath of New Mexicans.”

The governor signed these important Read More

DEA Arrests For Fentanyl Surpass Heroin In FY-2021

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DEA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Arrests by the Drug Enforcement Administration for fentanyl offenses exceeded those for heroin offenses for the first time in fiscal year 2021, according to a new Bureau of Justice Statistics report, Heroin, Fentanyl, and Other Opioid Offenses in Federal Courts, 2021.

During FY 2021, the DEA made 3,138 arrests for fentanyl, 2,591 arrests for heroin and 676 arrests for other opioid offenses. From FY 2020 to FY 2021, there was a 36% increase in arrests made by the DEA for fentanyl and a 29% decrease in arrests for heroin.

The DEA also reported an increase (1,528 arrests, Read More

The Family YMCA Poster Competition Held For Fighting Heart Disease And Promoting Healthy Living

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Poster submittals for staying ‘Heart Smart’ all year round. Courtesy/YMCA

Courtesy/YMCA

YMCA News:

As February (American Heart Month) draws to a close, we would like to celebrate the kids in our community who have submitted their poster in our competition on how to stay, “Heart Smart” all year round.

The Family YMCA gave a challenge earlier this month to our community’s kids (Kindergarten-6th grade) to make posters that creatively teach about ways of fighting heart disease and living a healthy life!

The competition was very close but after much deliberation our judge chose the following: Read More

Skolnik: Measles Rears Its Ugly Head

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By RICHARD SKOLNIK
White Rock

The first vaccine against measles was approved for use in the US in 1963 and the US eliminated measles in 2000. Yet, last week there were 35 cases of measles spread among 15 American states and we will likely see more cases in the near future.

Although our risk of getting measles today in New Mexico is small, there are a number of reasons why measles should be of concern to all of us:

  • Measles is among the most contagious diseases in the world. It is caused by a virus that is spread in the air and by contact with nasal and throat secretions from infected people. The virus can also
Read More

Health Department: Older Adults Now Eligible For Additional Dose Of Updated COVID-19 Vaccine In New Mexico

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — In response to the endorsement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation, the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is urging adults aged 65 and older to receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose for enhanced protection against severe outcomes of the virus.

“Most COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations last year were among people 65 years and older,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH. “An additional vaccine dose can provide Read More

LANL: Recycling Old Electrical Devices Minimizes Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Eco-Footprint

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In a project that rounded up more than 100 of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s legacy electrical devices no longer in use — all of which contained oil and some that contained the now-banned chemical compound known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs — one non-negotiable prevailed. The devices must be recycled, rather than buried in a landfill, which is what LANL project owners told interested bidders. Read the full article here. Courtesy/LANL Read More

New Mexico Environment Department Enforcement Watch Alert: 333 Actions Initiated, 13 Resolved In February 2024

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NMED News:

SANTA FE— The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) released updates for the month of February 2024 on the Enforcement Watch.

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.

In the month of February, 333 new entries were added to the Active Matters Read More

Colon Cancer Awareness Month: Understanding Colonoscopies

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By NEAL E. RAKOV 
MD, FACP, AGAF
Gastroenterologist at Los Alamos Medical Center

Have you had your colonoscopy? If you’re 45 or older, you’ve probably heard this question from someone you know – a doctor, a family member, or a health-conscious friend. More than 50,000 people die from colon cancer each year in the United States, and the disease may not have early symptoms. That’s why most people should talk with their provider about a colonoscopy once they reach the age of 45.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Even if your first colonoscopy is decades away, it’s important to know what to Read More

100+ Women Who Care Donates $3,000 To LARSO In Support Of Low Vision Program

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During the 100+ Women Who Care event held Feb. 1 at SALA Event Center, Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) Executive Director Jacci Gruninger discusses her non-profit organization and its desire to assist low vision seniors with special outings to area concerts and the purchase of low vision games to begin hosting game nights at the Los Alamos and White Rock senior centers. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

Liddie Martinez, Enterprise Bank & Trust President – Los Alamos Region & Director of Community Engagement, serving as emcee for the first 100+ Women Read More