Healthcare

Small Sign Of COVID Worry At Roundhouse This Session

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Ron Hammond of Santa Fe is the only one in the room wearing a mask while he waits Tuesday to speak to House Consumer & Public Affairs Committee at the Roundhouse. Luis Sánchez Saturno/The Santa Fe New Mexican

By ROBERT NOTT and DANIEL CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

For a while there, Sen. Martin Hickey, D-Albuquerque, wasn’t wearing a mask during this year’s legislative session.

Then one day, he was — after he was out sick for a while because he contracted COVID-19.

Here and there, you see signs others are being careful, like the cleaning person who had his mask tucked under his chin until one other Read More

Paid Family And Medical Leave Bill For New Mexico Advances At Legislature

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Lead sponsor, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

Less than a year after passing a bill requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave to their workers, Democrats are pushing a proposal to establish a paid family and medical leave law in New Mexico.

Senate Bill 11, which the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee endorsed on a 6-2 vote Thursday, would create a family and medical leave fund administered by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

Both employees and employers would be required to contribute to the fund. Read More

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján Delivers Keynote Address At International Stroke Conference

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Luján Delivers Keynote Address at International Stroke Conference. Courtesy/BRL

From the Office of Ben Ray Luján:

DALLAS, Texas – Today, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) delivered the keynote address at the International Stroke Conference in Dallas, Texas – an annual conference dedicated to the science and treatment of cerebrovascular disease and brain health.

Since recovering from a stroke, Luján has used his platform to raise awareness about the warning signs of strokes and the importance of seeking medical care.

ICYMI – Luján Highlights Stroke Awareness:

Good Morning America – New Read More

Parr-Sanchez: Governor’s Health Care Proposal For Educators A Win For New Mexico

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By MARY PARR-SANCHEZ
NEA-New Mexico President 

SANTA FE — As frontline workers during the pandemic, educators have continued to put their health on the line in service to New Mexico students and families, despite rising health insurance premiums that have diminished their ability to afford health care for themselves and their families.

HB 102, a bill now before the Legislature, would bring us a great deal closer to rectifying this wrong, by largely eliminating health care premium costs for educators in our state. The bill would require that school districts cover 100% of the cost of health Read More

Dr. Justin Green: Heart Attacks Don’t Care, But We Do

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By Dr. JUSTIN GREEN
LOs Alamos Medical Center

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) is an Accredited Chest Pain Center.

Heart attacks can happen anytime, anyplace – and to anyone. And when they do, every minute matters. After months of rigorous training and preparation, LAMC is better equipped than ever to offer live-saving care when and where you need it. 

LAMC is committed to providing high quality emergency heart care close to home for the residents of the Los Alamos community. LAMC works closely with key community partners, including local EMS to enhance coordination among everyone involved Read More

Leonard: Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Health – Change Your Life

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By LAURA LEONARD
Doctor of Chiropractic
Los Alamos

It’s No-More-Motivation February, the time of year when our New Year’s resolutions are downgraded on our list of importance.

Never fear … I have a new Chinese parable for you that will help get you going again. No, this one is not about diet, exercise routines or setting goals. It is about … you guessed it, changing your thoughts.

The amazing thing about working on your thoughts is that all it requires is paying attention and shifting gears. No 5 a.m. workouts, no insane restriction of calories, no liver cleansing and no extra use of your time required. Read More

Legislature Looks At Paying For New Mexico Educators’ Health Care Premiums In Full

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HB 102 Co-sponsor Rep. Raymundo Lara

By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexico

Kevin Darrow, a music teacher at Wood Gormley Elementary School, estimated he spends nearly 14 percent of his earnings — some $600 per month — on health insurance.

“For a teacher, that’s a lot of money,” he said.

And Darrow said he’s one of the lucky ones because he shares that cost with his spouse. As the cost of living in Santa Fe continues to increase, he noted many of his fellow teachers — often master’s degree-level professionals — have to find roommates or get creative to stretch their earnings.

Figuring out how to pay Read More