Features

Gov. Lujan Grisham Proclaims Feb. 3 Behavioral Health Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NM Oks $24.4M For Behavioral Health Services Statewide 

Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo 

STATE News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico has approved $24.4 million in early access funding to expand behavioral health services statewide, allowing communities to address gaps in care while longer-term regional plans are developed.  

The funding, to be administered by the New Mexico Health Care Authority, totals $24,473,462 and will support immediate investments to improve access to behavioral health across the regions. 

“This funding puts decisions closer to the communities delivering care,” said Kari Armijo, cabinet secretary at New Mexico Health Care Authority. Read More

New Mexico Adopts First Clean Fuel Market In Southwest

Environment Secretary James Kenney

NMED News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board has unanimously adopted regulations establishing the Clean Transportation Fuel Program, setting April 1 as the opening date for the Southwest’s first clean fuel market.

Signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2024, the Clean Transportation Fuel Program is a market-based initiative that incentivizes and expands access to lower-carbon transportation fuels, including ethanol, biofuels, renewable diesel, renewable natural gas, electricity, and supporting infrastructure. Read More

Scenes From U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján’s Site Visit To LAMC

Officials at Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) hosted a site visit today for U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, including a tour of the 47-bed acute care facility and discussions concerning the latest health care advances and issues of importance to the hospital and its patients. From left, Sen. Ben Ray Luján, LAMC CEO Tony Young, Sen. Luján’s Field Rep. Eric Chavez and LAMC Board Chair Linda Daly. LAMC was named one of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals, recognized in 2024 for helping patients find the best care locally. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading Read More

Integrative Health Solutions Focuses On Natural Healing

Practitioner Nicole Hall

BUSINESS News:

Nicole Hall is a Certified Natural Health Practitioner who owns Integrative Health Solutions. She has been practicing in Los Alamos since 2013.

At Integrative Health Solutions, Hall said she believes that when the body is in balance, it can heal itself naturally. She uses a technique that Dr. Gary Storkan (Los Alamos) uses, called Total Body Modification (TBM). This method stimulates the body’s innate healing processes, promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being through muscle testing (kinesiology) and the use of homeopathic vials Read More

GOP Legislative Leaders Cheer Governor’s Proposals On Crime, Medical Malpractice

Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, responds to the governor’s State of the State address with Senate Republicans during a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 at the state Capitol. Photo by Nathan Burton/The New Mexican

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

New Mexico Republicans found cause for encouragement as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham laid out her priorities for the legislative session Tuesday, although fights loom over issues like banning immigrant detention facilities.

“She’s absolutely with us on things like public safety and health care,” said Senate Minority Read More

Laurent Outlines Priorities In State Of The County Address

Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presents her annual State of the County report during the Chamber Business Breakfast Jan. 15 at SALA Event Center. Photo by Marlene Wilden/ladailypost.com

By MARLENE WILDEN
Los Alamos Daily Post
marlene@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Manager Anne Laurent presented her annual State of the County address Thursday during the monthly Chamber of Commerce breakfast, reviewing the past year and outlining priorities for 2026 while portraying a busy but financially cautious government.

She told business leaders the County is balancing multiple priorities, Read More

LAMC Kicks Off New Free Community Seminar Series With: ‘Active Lifestyles And ACLs’ Feb. 12 At SALA Event Center

LAMC News:

Community members are invited to attend the first entry in a new free health seminar series hosted by Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) at SALA Event Center.

The first talk, presented by Tania Pence, DO, Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist, is titled “Active Lifestyles And ACLs” at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12. 

Attendees will be able to enjoy refreshments, prizes, socialize, meet a subject matter expert and learn about their health. They can do so all while enjoying SALA, a vibrant community event center at 2551 Central Ave.

Individuals interested in attending are asked Read More

Free Online Classes Available From County Library System

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos Public Library System now offers access to more than 150 live and on-demand GetSetUp classes through its website, losalamoslibrary.org.

No library card is required to access these free classes.

The New Mexico State Library is excited to provide this new learning platform, GetSetUp, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The State Library has partnered with public libraries statewide to make this valuable resource available to all New Mexico residents.

GetSetUp’s digital literacy courses include basic overviews for using Microsoft, Apple, Read More

New Mexico Legislators Introduce ‘Inclusion In Healthcare Act’ To Address Provider Shortage And Expand Patient Access To Non-Pharmacological Pain Treatment

From New Mexico Senate Democrats:

SANTA FE – New Mexico State Senators Linda Trujillo and Peter Wirth today announced the introduction of the “Inclusion in Healthcare Act” legislation designed to address New Mexico’s critical healthcare provider shortage by expanding insurance coverage to include licensed naprapaths, chiropractors, and acupuncturists.

The proposed bill models language from the Affordable Care Act, which prohibits discrimination against licensed healthcare providers working within their scope of practice. The legislation would ensure that insurance Read More

Dannemann: It’s Time For The State To Act

By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2025 by Merilee Dannemann

The state of our Union is frightening. That is why we need New Mexicans to engage intensively at the state and local level. We are at a moment of unprecedented contradictions.

Yet again, as in Iraq in 2003, a Republican president has found alleged justification for using military force to remove the president of another nation. The contradiction is apparent.

Near-universal public opinion seems to be that Nicolas Maduro was an evil dictator and Venezuela is better off without him, but President Trump had no legal justification Read More

Social Services In-Person Office Hours Jan. 21 In White Rock

COUNTY News:

Los Alamos County Social Services Division is offering convenient evening hours at the White Rock Branch Library to better assist people who may not be able to meet during regular business hours.

Community members who need assistance with housing services, utility payments, food instability, or connections to other resources in the county are encouraged to stop by for a one-on-one meeting to learn how Social Services may be able to help.

No appointment is necessary.

The Social Services staff will be available monthly at the White Rock Public Library in a study room on the third Read More

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