Healthcare

Paid Leave Bill Clears First Hurdle, But Opposition Remains

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By GABRIELLE PORTER
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A proposal to create a state-run paid family and medical leave program in New Mexico cleared its first hurdle Wednesday after passing a committee on a party-line vote.

But if the debate before the House Health and Human Services Committee was any indication, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act seems poised to face much of the same opposition that has stalled it for the past five years: criticisms that the plan will hurt small businesses, that it’s written too broadly, and that it leaves itself open to abuse.

The proposed program, which has been reintroduced Read More

Tempers Flare At Capitol Between Health Secretary, GOP Lawmaker Over Op-Ed

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New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen speaks during a news conference in March 2023 at the state Capitol. Courtesy/SFNM

Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, castigates Health Secretary Patrick Allen at the Capitol on Tuesday over an op-ed in which he accused her of “grandstanding” and making ‘wild accusations’ about New Mexico’s child welfare agency. Brantley had falsely asserted more New Mexico children die in state custody than die by gunfire. State data shows 40 children died by gunfire in 2022, compared to two deaths of children in state custody that year. Photo Read More

Kiwanis Hosts Key Club ‘Save A Life’ Presentation

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From left, Key Club President Rebeca Li, Lieutenant Governors Uxue Sansinena and Praveen Swaminarayan and National Honor Society President Luke Favorite. Courtesy/Kiwanis Club

 

Kiwanis Club News:

At the Jan. 15 Kiwanis Club meeting, members of the Los Alamos High School Key Club and National Honor Society gave a talk about the “How to Save a Life” event that they previously organized and presented at the SALA Event Center about the dangers of fentanyl.

Key Club President Rebecca Li, Lieutenant Governors Praveen Swaminarayan and Uxue Sansinena and National Honor Society President Read More

LARSO To Hosts Matter Of Balance Classes Feb. 5-March 4

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Participants in the 2023 Matter of Balance class. Courtesy/LARSO

A scene from a previous Matter of Balance class. Courtesy/LARSO

LARSO News:

Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 36,000 deaths in 2020, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. In 2020, emergency departments recorded 3 million visits for older adult falls. Older adult falls cost $50 billion in medical costs annually, with 3/4 paid by Medicare and Medicaid.

However, falls don’t have to be inevitable as you Read More

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Issues Statement On 51st Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade Decision

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham

From the Office of the Governor:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued a statement today, the 51st anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision:

“This date once marked a bright moment in U.S. history, when women were at long last granted autonomy over their own bodies and their own health care. Today, it has become a somber occasion as we are reminded that 18 months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court wrenched those rights away from American women.

New Mexico is a state that will not stop fighting for and supporting women in all aspects of their health care – and those Read More

OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Ransom Joins LAMC On Permanent Basis

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Dr. Sharon Ransom

LAMC News:

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) has announced that OB/GYN Dr. Sharon Ransom has joined the hospital on a permanent basis. Dr. Ransom has been providing services as a temporary provider for nearly three years, offering high quality patient care to the women and families of Los Alamos and Northern New Mexico.

“My practice as an OB/GYN centers on providing the highest quality healthcare to women in rural communities. I am eager to work with LAMC leadership to develop a community-focused women’s health service,” Dr. Ransom said. “Women’s health, from birth to menopause, Read More

Providers Say Health Department Slow To Give Out Funds For School Health Centers

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Dan Frampton, board president of Breaking the Silence New Mexico, fears his organization will run out of money by mid-February and says it is owed $50,000 from the New Mexico Department of Health. Frampton, a licensed clinical social worker, provides suicide prevention services and mental health education to students across the state.  ‘We literally save lives by the work we do,’ he said. Gabriela Campos/The New Mexican

By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

ALBUQUERQUE — Dan Frampton expects his organization will be out of money by mid-February. 

Frampton, a licensed clinical social Read More

LAMC Honors Five Physicians With Emeritus Status

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Los Alamos Medical Center recently honored five physicians with emeritus status: Drs. Lawrence Goddard, Michael Jackson, Bradley Rowberry, Mike Nichols and David Church (not pictured). “Each of these physicians dedicated over 30 years of their lives to the care and service of the people of Northern New Mexico and Los Alamos Medical Center,” said LAMC Chief of Staff Justin L. Green, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS. “They were and are truly giants in the medical community and exemplify the very finest character and professionalism in our field. Though now retired from active practice, they continue to serve Read More

Santa Fe Community College’s Nurses Association Club To Host Blood Drive With Vitalant Tuesday Feb. 6

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SFCC News:

Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC) Student Nurses Association Club will host a Vitalant Blood Drive, noon to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6 in SFCC Board Room 223, 6401 Richards Ave.

Please bring your photo ID.

To schedule a blood donation, visit https://bit.ly/SNABloodDrive. 

For more information, email HChase@vitalant.org or call 505.246.1498.

Walk-ins are welcome. Read More