Healthcare

Op-Ed: A Deep Dive Into Medical Malpractice

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By Rep. CHRISTINE CHANDLER (D-Los Alamos)
Chair of the House Judiciary Committee 

Healthcare access is top of mind for everyone in New Mexico, rightfully so, as we see more and more doctors leave the state to practice elsewhere. There are many reasons for this exodus. All of these reasons need to be addressed, including (especially) the unbounded litigation environment created by New Mexico’s Medical Malpractice Act.

Bills implementing the medical compacts, expanding the medical school, ramping up recruitment with a generous loan repayment program, increasing residencies, enacting Read More

Gov. Lujan Grisham Proclaims Feb. 3 Behavioral Health Day

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Behavioral Health Planning Council will host its 21st annual Behavioral Health Day Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Hotel Glorieta in Santa Fe, convening advocates, providers, and policymakers to spotlight the importance of mental health and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery. 

This year’s theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Healing,” reflects the state’s commitment to expanding culturally responsive behavioral health services. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued a proclamation recognizing New Mexico’s efforts to advance culturally responsive Read More

Shin: Los Alamos Family Eyecare Announces Sponsorship Of Movie ‘Sight’ Feb. 14 At SALA Event Center

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By LISA SHIN
Optometrist
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, PC

Dear Friends:

Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that 2026 marks 29 years of providing eye care to the incredible community of Los Alamos. Stay tuned for a big celebration of 30 years in the near future.

If your child is nearsighted, talk to us about myopia management. Did you know that myopia greatly increases your child’s risk of serious eye diseases such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration?

Specialized contact lenses for both daytime or nighttime wear as well as Atropine eye drops can significantly decrease Read More

NMSOP To Host Patient Advocacy Day At Roundhouse

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NMSOP News:

SANTA FE — Patients, survivors, and advocates from across New Mexico will gather at the State Capitol on Friday, January 30, for Patient Advocacy Day, hosted by New Mexico Safety Over Profit (NMSOP).

Patient Advocacy Day will center the voices of New Mexicans who have been directly impacted by the state’s health care workforce shortage, unsafe hospital conditions, and barriers to accountability when preventable harm occurs. Participants will meet with lawmakers to share why NMSOP’s legislative priorities are critical to improving access to care without weakening patient Read More

House Advances 10 Bills To Expand Access To Quality Affordable Healthcare In New Mexico

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Jan. 26, the New Mexico House of Representatives advanced 10 pieces of legislation to improve healthcare access across the state by lowering out-of-pocket costs, expanding access to care, and recruiting and retaining more providers.

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed seven bills today that would expand access to healthcare through participation in interstate healthcare compacts, which allow states to expedite licensing for qualified healthcare providers who wish to practice in multiple states.

“By joining interstate compacts, New Mexico can Read More

LAPS Invites Community To Special Presentation This Thursday

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Dr. Ben Springer

LAPS News:

Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) invites the public to a special presentation featuring Ben Springer, co-author of Optimistic Teaming: Coordination Strategies for Tough Student Situations, starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Barranca Mesa Elementary School.

Dr. Springer is an award-winning and nationally certified school psychologist. He is also the author of several books and has served in schools as an autism specialist, school psychologist, behavior specialist, and Director of Special Education. In 2017, Dr. Springer together with Dr. Ben Belnap, Read More

Doctor Shortage Intensifies Push To Cap Punitive Damages In Malpractice Cases

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Pat and Karn Jilek stand for a portrait on their porch outside of their home in Rio Rancho with the Sandia Mountain’s behind them on Jan. 15. When Pat, the former train conductor and railway safety representative retired in 2022, Jilek and his wife moved away from Fargo, N.D., where they had lived for 50 years. They built what Jilek called their “dream house” in Rio Rancho, swapping snow shoveling for sunshine.”We love everything about being here — except for one thing,” Jilek said: They couldn’t keep a primary care provider. Gabriela Campos/The Santa Fe New Mexican Read More

Campaign Finance Records Show Big Spending In New Mexico Malpractice Fight

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By NATHAN BROWN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

There’s a lot of money at stake when it comes to New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws.

Perhaps it’s not surprising advocates on both sides of the issue contribute a lot to lawmakers’ campaigns.

From the 2020 primary election cycle through 2026, the Committee on Individual Responsibility — the political action committee associated with the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association — has made $937,000 in donations to individual politicians or their PACs and $442,200 to broader PACs such as those associated with House and Senate Democrats and the state House Read More

Kristin Kosiewicz Scholarship Strives To Bring Awareness To Substance Abuse While Helping Young People

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Los Alamos resident Stan Kosiewicz and his wife, Amy Anderson, center, stand with the 2025 recipients of the Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship, from left, Samuel Carmer, Malaika Philip, Sophie Bathrick-Price and JoyMei Lincoln. Kosiewicz established the scholarship in memory of his daughter, Kristin, who died in 2021 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Photo by Jessica Booton

1993 Los Alamos High School graduate Kristin Kosiewicz. Courtesy photo

By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com

Kristin Kosiewicz, a 1993 Los Alamos High School Read More

Sen. Luján Discusses Health Care, Highlights Funding Secured For Workforce Development During Los Alamos & Taos Visits

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján chatting with LAMC CEO Tony Young, Field Rep. Eric Chavez and LAMC Board Chair Linda Daly during his recent field visit. Photo by Don Taylor

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, left, during a recent Rocky Mountain Youth Corps tour in Taos. Courtesy photo

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján during recent visit with Taos Leadership members. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

This week, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) held a series of events across Northern New Mexico to discuss Republican cuts to health care, highlight federal funding secured for local communities, and meet with local leaders.

“Republicans Read More