Healthcare

Los Alamos County Health Council To Meet Jan. 8

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COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos County Health Council is scheduled to meet at noon on Jan. 8 in Room 110 at the Los Alamos County Municipal Building, 1000 Central Ave.

This meeting is open to the public in person, and also via Zoom by pasting into the browser the following: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82011771382.

Agenda:

  1. CALL TO ORDER
  2. PUBLIC COMMENT

III. BOARDS/STAFF/MEMBERS COMMUNICATION

Approval of Minutes from the Los Alamos County Health Council Meeting on Dec. 4, 2025.

20610-25

Presenters: Lisa Hampton

Los_Alamos_County_Health_Council_25-12-04_BCC_Meeting_Minutes Attachments: Read More

New Mexico Medicaid Receives $211.5 Million To Strengthen Rural Health Care

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HCA News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) today received $211,484,741 in grant funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support improvements in rural health care access and delivery across the state. 

The funding is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program and will be used to expand rural health services, stabilize critical access facilities, bolster the health care workforce, and advance technology-enabled, community-based care models statewide.  

“This $211.5 million federal investment recognizes New Mexico’s bold plan to transform Read More

Opportunities To Give During Blood Donor Month In January

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The Vitalant mobile donation unit is often parked at Smith’s Marketplace. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos

If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community in 2026, how about becoming a blood donor?

Vitalant is the community hub that coordinates a variety of blood drives throughout Los Alamos and White Rock. You can find them at the senior centers, churches, the teen center and occasionally on their mobile unit in either town.

January is National Blood Donor Month and celebrated to honor blood donors and raise awareness about the critical  Read More

NMDWS: Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing $160,000 In New Mexico Pandemic Benefits

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NMDWS News:

ALBUQUERQUE — A Texas man pleaded guilty last week to stealing more than $160,000 in federal unemployment relief funds issued by New Mexico during the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced the guilty plea by Marc Long — the result of continued work by the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) to prosecute pandemic-era fraud.

The case underscores the NMDWS’ continued commitment to identifying, investigating, and prosecuting fraud involving unemployment benefit programs.

“The guilty plea in the Marc Long case sends a clear message: New Mexico has Read More

NM Primary Care Council To Hold Quarterly Meeting Jan. 8

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HCA News:

Notice is hereby given that the New Mexico Primary Care Council will convene for a regular meeting Thursday, Jan. 8. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams.

The public is welcome, and information about how to attend the meeting is below.

Copies of the agenda will be posted and available on the Health Care Authority’s website. Copies may also be obtained by contacting Stakeholder Engagement & Community Coordinator – MAD Zachary Larry at zachary.larry@hca.nm.gov.

An individual with a disability who needs a reader, amplifier, qualified Read More

New Mexico Aging And Long-Term Services Department Marks Year Of Expanded Services For Seniors In 2025

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ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Emily Kaltenbach

ALTSD News:

SANTA FE — In 2025, the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) advanced a wide range of policies, programs, and partnerships to help older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers across the state live with dignity and independence.

“This past year we focused on building systems that work better, reach farther, and put people first,” ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Emily Kaltenbach said. “Every one of these actions reflects what we hear directly from older adults and caregivers: people want support that is accessible, Read More

Federal Office Of Special Education Programs Finds New Mexico Maintains Top National Ranking For Infant Early Intervention

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ECECD Sec. Elizabeth Groginsky

ECECD News:

SANTA FE — For the third consecutive year, New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) ranks first in the nation for identifying and enrolling babies from birth to 12 months with developmental delays and disabilities, according to the latest federal data released last month.

The rankings, determined by the federal Office of Special Education Programs for 2024, also show New Mexico ranks second in the nation for serving children ages 1-2, behind only Massachusetts.

ECECD’s Family Infant Toddler (FIT) program reaches families Read More

Op-Ed: Legislature Should Pass All 10 Health Care Worker Compacts In 2026

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By KRISTINA FISHER
Associate Director
Think New Mexico

The most immediate way that New Mexico lawmakers can expand access to health care is by joining all the interstate compacts for health care workers, which would make it easier for health care professionals who are licensed in other states to care for patients here in New Mexico, including via telehealth.

States that join the doctor compact experience an increase of 10-15 percent in the number of doctors licensed every year.

This probably explains why states keep joining compacts and no state that has joined a compact has ever left. Forty-two Read More

American Medical Association: 10 Health Recommendations

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AMA News:

CHICAGO — As the new year quickly approaches, the American Medical Association (AMA) is offering 10 recommendations to help Americans make the most impactful, long-lasting improvements to their health in 2026 and beyond.

“With the holiday cookies eaten and those missed workouts officially last year’s worry, the new year is a great chance to refocus on the healthy choices you want to make in 2026,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “Even tiny changes now can snowball into major gains for your long-term health.”

The AMA’s 10 recommendations for a healthier new year, include the Read More

Sandra Salazar Brightens Spirits Of Seniors At Los Alamos Wellness & Rehab Through Adopt-A-Grandparent Program

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Mary Kay Independent Consultant Sandra Salazar delivers gifts for residents at Los Alamos Wellness & Rehabilitation on Monday at 1011 Sombillo Court. She is shown here with the facility’s Activity Director Joshua Bloom. This is the 6th year that Salazar has shown this act of kindness to seniors under her ‘Adopt A Grandparent’ program.‘Many seniors don’t have anyone visiting during the holidays and may not receive a gift. This year, the Adopt A Grandparent stockings were filled with items sponsored or donated by customers and businesses, including Mary Kay Mint Bliss foot cream, hand Read More