Healthcare

Heinrich Introduces Bill To Protect Dialysis Patients

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Senate colleagues Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to introduce the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, legislation to ensure individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or kidney failure, continue to have access to private health care.

The legislation follows the 2022 Supreme Court ruling, Marietta v. DaVita, that allowed private health plans to deny coverage of kidney care services, including dialysis treatments and Read More

NMED Offers Private Well Water Tests For Contamination From Fire-fighting Foams, PFAS, Near Cannon AFB

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Cannon Air Force Base. Courtesy/CAB

NMED News:

  • Initiative addresses health concerns from residents during August meeting

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is offering residents who live around Cannon Air Force Base and get their drinking water from a private well free drinking water testing for contamination from fire-fighting foams.

For decades, fire-fighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, were routinely used by Cannon AFB which contaminated nearby groundwater — the primary source of drinking water for local Read More

New Mexico Superintendent Of Insurance Announces Public Meetings Related To Health Care Consolidation Act

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OSI Superintendent Alice Kane

From the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance:

SANTA FE – Across the United States mergers and acquisitions of health care entities have caused significant challenges in health care pricing, access to services, and quality of care. 

Earlier this year, the New Mexico Legislature adopted the Health Care Consolidation Act (Act) passed as Senate Bill 15 in the 2024 legislative session, which gives the Office of Superintendent of Insurance (OSI) tools to provide oversite of certain hospital transactions. 

The Act is intended to ensure that such transactions Read More

Students Spread ‘Awesome’ For Suicide Prevention Month

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Scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams 

Another scene from a Suicide Prevention Activity in 2014. Photo by Cody Adams

By BERNADETTE PAURITZEN
Executve Director
Champions of Youth Ambitions

September is Suicide Prevention Month and 10 years ago, Faith Glasco and Elizabeth Hjelvik had a goal to spread “awesome” at Los Alamos High School. Their multi-pronged project took roots spreading to Los Alamos Middle School and their WEB Crew program. Their efforts went on to win them a Spirit of the West Award.

On World Suicide Prevention Day Tuesday, the Los Alamos Youth Read More

Health Connection: Collaborations Help Strengthen Community And Overall Health Of Los Alamos

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By LORI PADILLA 
Chair
Los Alamos County Health Council

This is the third column in the monthly series by Los Alamos County Health Council (LACHC) members, highlighting the work of the Health Council.

I am the Chair of the LACHC, and for this installment, I would like to share some of the many collaborations and projects that LACHC members are involved with, including a couple of upcoming events.

These are certainly not comprehensive, but rather represent the varied interests and experiences that LACHC members bring together when working to advocate and advise for community health needs.

Several Read More

Kenneth L. ‘Ken’ Groves Receives 2024 HPS Distinguished Public Service Award

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Ken Groves 

Staff Report

Kenneth L. “Ken” Groves, Fellow of the Health Physics Society (HPS), retired U.S. Navy Commander and former Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) senior manager is the 2024 recipient of the HPS Distinguished Public Service Award. 

Groves joins two other New Mexicans, Senator Pete Domenici, and Pete Lyons, distinguished scientist at Los Alamos, as well as a former commissioner at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and DOE Nuclear Energy’s assistant secretary as one of the 11 recipients of this award.

This award is intended to acknowledge outstanding (1) contributions Read More

Los Alamos County Explores Options For Continuation Of Wastewater Surveillance For Public Health

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COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County is exploring options to continue wastewater surveillance for public health following BioBot Analytic’s decision to end its free services.

The County was part of the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) since February 2022, monitoring SARS-CoV-2 through BioBot. After losing its CDC contract in 2023, BioBot continued to provide services free of charge, which the County shared on its Wastewater Surveillance web page until Aug. 31 when the service ended.

“We are reviewing several options, including BioBot’s paid program, rejoining the CDC’s Read More

Los Alamos County Health Council Announces Launch Of Health Care Quality And Accessibility Survey

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COUNTY News: 

The Los Alamos County Health Council announces the launch of a comprehensive Health Care Quality and Accessibility Survey, aimed at gathering information and input regarding the health and well-being of the community.

Invitations to take the survey will be mailed to all Los Alamos County residents the week of Sept. 18, 2024. The survey is an integral part of the County’s efforts to evaluate and enhance local health services and inform the development of effective health programs, policies, and the Los Alamos County Comprehensive Health Plan.

Why Your Participation Matters Read More