Healthcare

Support Group For Those Taking/Considering Weight Loss Drugs Monthly On First Wednesdays At Unitarian Church

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Dr. Elena McAtee and Certified Health Coach Kate Cleveland will tackle navigating life on weight loss drugs with a support group at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

Health means a lot of things to a lot of people, but sometimes when searching for the answers, the noise is too loud to hear them. The local duo of Dr. Elena McAtee and Certified Health Coach Kate Cleveland will tackle navigating life on weight loss drugs with a support group.

The meetings are 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. Light refreshments Read More

New Mexicans Can Protect Themselves Against HPV

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — About 85% of people nationwide will get a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in their lifetime – often without even knowing it.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. High risk HPV can cause illness and several types of cancer. March 4, the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Immunization Program wants New Mexicans to know that vaccination of 11–12-year-olds can protect them long before they are ever exposed. HPV vaccination can prevent more than 90% of HPV-related cancers when given on time.  

“You can get HPV from skin-to-skin sexual contact. Read More

Deep Dive Into Grief: A Community Event On Building Empathy And Connection

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos community is invited to a unique and powerful event designed to foster empathy, connection, and understanding through personal stories of grief.

Hosted in collaboration with Los Alamos Library, Los Alamos Community Services Department, Los Alamos Courts and JJAB, this event is 5:45-8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Mesa Public Library in Los Alamos.

Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one, but it extends far beyond that—touching experiences such as the loss of identity, marriage, religion, retirement, community, divorce, freedom, health and Read More

Bill To Increase Top Oil And Gas Royalty Rate Offered On New Mexico State Lands Passes House Committee

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Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard

State Land Office News:

          • Offering market rate for premium tracts would generate over a billion dollars in additional value for public schools, universities and hospitals

SANTA FE – Legislation pushed by New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard to increase the top royalty rate offered for new oil and gas development on the best state lands passed the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee today.

Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz and co-sponsored by Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Read More

State Issues Rule To Amend Employee Abuse Registry

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — The Health Care Authority has issued an emergency rule to amend the Employee Abuse Registry so older adults, people with disabilities, and others who need help with daily care are protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.   

Under the revised rule, health care providers must check the Employee Abuse Registry before hiring staff and cannot employ individuals listed on it. The registry tracks individuals with substantiated cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation, which will prevent them to work in the field. 

“This emergency rule is a critical step in making sure Read More

Department Of Health Accepting Applications For Birthing Workforce Retention Fund

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NMDOH News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is accepting applications for the Birthing Workforce Retention Fund now through Friday, April 18. 

The fund provides grants to Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) and physicians (OB and Family Medicine) who provide full scope perinatal care, including birthing services, and need assistance to cover malpractice insurance premium costs.  

Up to $10,000 is granted per provider from the fund, administered by the NMDOH Maternal Health Program.

“This financial support to offset the cost of malpractice insurance is just one way Read More

New Mexico Paid Family And Medical Leave Bill Passes House Of Representatives, Heads To Senate

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Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, debates House Bill 11 on the House floor at the state Capitol Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Photo by Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A revamped but still highly controversial proposal to provide paid family and medical leave to New Mexicans is heading to the state Senate after winning approval Friday from the state House of Representatives.

The passage of House Bill 11 marks a major win for supporters of the measure after a yearslong effort to offer paid leave to working families in the state failed to pass the chamber Read More

Nationwide Recovery Of Radioactive Devices By Los Alamos National Laboratory Hits Major Milestone … 100th Shipment

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Last October, the Lab’s Mobile Loading Source Recovery Team and Off-Site Source Recovery Program managed the removal and shipment of a high-activity radioactive device, from Philadelphia, pictured above. The truck departed the facility at 1:18 a.m. to minimize impacts to city roadways. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

  • Partnership helps mitigate risk of terrorist attacks using a “dirty bomb”

Two Los Alamos National Laboratory teams that travel nationwide recovering potentially harmful radioactive material from devices at hospitals, universities, and research facilities completed a momentous Read More

New Mexico Governor Signs Landmark Public Safety And Behavioral Health Bills

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico. Courtesy photo

STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham Thursday signed legislation to improve public safety and behavioral health services across New Mexico, marking the halfway point of the 60-day legislative session with a landmark accomplishment on behalf of New Mexicans.

“These bills represent a significant milestone for both behavioral health services and criminal justice reform in New Mexico,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham, who was joined Read More

Op-Ed: Reform The Medical Malpractice System To Address The Doctor Shortage

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By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico

New Mexico’s lawyer-centered medical malpractice system, with no statutory caps on attorney’s fees or punitive damages and the lowest standard in the country for awarding punitive damages, is out of balance. It is driving up medical malpractice rates for New Mexico doctors to nearly twice what doctors pay in neighboring states.

That in turn is causing doctors to retire early or leave the state. In fact, New Mexico is the only state in the nation that experienced a loss of practicing physicians between 2019 and 2024. This is why so many New Mexicans Read More