Healthcare

Governor Lujan Grisham Announces 26 Additional Rural Health Care Delivery Fund Recipients

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STATE News:

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that 26 additional rural health care providers will receive a combined $40.6 million from the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, part of the $46 million allocated during the 2024 legislative session.

Last fall, $5.4 million was awarded to four rural health care organizations that demonstrated their ability to immediately implement services.  

“Every New Mexican deserves access to quality health care close to home,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “My administration is committed to supporting and strengthening the health care provider Read More

Senate Bill 176 Introduced To Reform Medical Malpractice Law To Center Patient Needs And Safety In New Mexico

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From Think New Mexico:

Senate Bill 176 has been introduced by Senator Martin Hickey (D-Albuquerque and the only doctor in the legislature) and Senate Minority Whip Pat Woods (R-Curry, Harding, Quay & Union Counties).

The bill would reform New Mexico’s medical malpractice system by:

          • capping attorney’s fees in medical malpractice attorney lawsuits;
          • ending lump-sum payouts from the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF); and
          • sending 75% of any punitive damages awarded in a medical malpractice cases to a new public fund designed to improve patient safety.

The bill was drafted by the nonpartisan Read More

NMED: PFAS Contamination In New Mexico Wildlife Is Highest Ever Tested

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PFAS-laden foams on the shores of Lake Holloman near Alamogordo and adjacent to White Sands National Park. Courtesy/NMED

NMED News:

  • Health advisory recommends hunters seek blood testing

SANTA FE — Holloman Lake near White Sands National Park has recorded the highest levels of toxic PFAS contamination in wildlife and plants worldwide, according to a report released Monday by the New Mexico the Environment Department (NMED).

Holloman Lake near Alamogordo and adjacent to White Sands National Park serves as the wastewater reservoir for Holloman Air Force Base. The report’s findings reveal Read More

Los Alamos Medical Center Seeks Applicants For Patient Representative Position On Hospital Board Of Trustees

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LAMC News:

Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) is seeking individuals who have received care at the hospital within the last year to apply for a three-year term on the hospital’s Board of Trustees as Patient Representative. This individual will play a key role as the patient “voice” advocate for the Board.

The Board is a collection of medical providers, community members and hospital administrators that meets in the evening every month at the hospital.

Among the responsibilities for the Patient Representative:

  • Help identify what our hospital is doing well and also help pinpoint areas for improvement.
Read More

Rural Health Councils Push For More State Funding

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Health Council Coordinator Raelene Martinez, center, distributes food from the mobile food pantry at the office of San Ildefonso Pueblo Health Council in San Ildefonso Pueblo Thursday. Michael G. Seamans/The New Mexican

By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican

SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO — Thelma Gonzales and Raelene Martinez do a little bit of everything.

Technically, the two women work for San Ildefonso Pueblo’s Health and Human Services Department, Gonzales as the community health representative manager and Martinez as the diabetes program manager and health council coordinator.

But Read More

U.S. Senators Luján, Hawley, Heinrich, Schmitt, Reintroduce RECA To Give Nuclear Radiation Victims Compensation

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From the Office of U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján:

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), along with Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act to compensate Americans exposed to radiation by government nuclear programs. 

Despite the Senate passing this bill, the House of Representatives failed to pass the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) reauthorization before its expiration deadline in the 118th Congress.

“In New Mexico Read More

Los Alamos Family Eyecare Celebrates 28 Years Of Serving ‘The Incredible Community Of Los Alamos!’

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By LISA SHIN
Optometrist
Los Alamos Family Eyecare, PC

Dear Friends:

Happy new year! This marks 28 years of providing eye care to the incredible community of Los Alamos. I am so grateful for the support!

I am thrilled to announce that we have the newest software upgrade in digital photography: Icare Eidon, the first TrueColor Confocal imaging device for ultra-high resolution widefield imaging. What this means for you:  whether or not you are able to have your eyes dilated, you will receive the highest level of care for a low, additional fee of $29. Your eyes and your vision are well worth it.

We also Read More

Lawmakers Praise Administrative Office Of The Courts For Progress On Assisted Outpatient Treatment

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State Supreme Court Chief Justice David Thomson

By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
The Santa Fe New Mexican

The Administrative Office of the Courts drew praise from lawmakers Thursday for the progress it has made in implementing pilot projects designed to expand the availability of involuntary mental health treatment.

During last year’s special session, the Legislature ignored much of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s legislative agenda, which included changes to the state’s criminal competency and civil commitment statutes.

But lawmakers did appropriate $3 million for the courts to implement so-called Read More

New Mexico Medical Society Praises Governor Lujan Grisham’s Proposed Solution To Healthcare Crisis

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NMMS News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) applauds Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for highlighting the pressing challenges of New Mexico’s healthcare system during her State of the State address. By recognizing and directly confronting the systemic issues that hinder access to quality care, the Governor has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.

“Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s commitment to healthcare, as expressed in today’s State of the State address, demonstrates her deep understanding of the urgent challenges facing Read More