New Mexico Health Care Authority To Host Public Feedback Session On CARA Transition Wednesday April 1
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Health Care Authority will host an online public feedback session Wednesday, April 1, to gather input on the transition of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) program to the agency.
The session will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will focus on the upcoming transfer of CARA administration to the Health Care Authority, which is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
The session is intended to provide information about the transition and to hear directly from community members, partners and individuals with direct experience with the Read More
New Mexico Health Department Offers Telehealth Family Planning Services
NMDOH News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has launched a telehealth family planning program to help New Mexicans access affordable reproductive care from home.
Through the New Mexico Department of Health Helpline, callers can now schedule telehealth appointments for family planning services, including prescriptions for birth control and emergency contraception. Helpline clinical staff are available to counsel patients about family planning options and help them determine which birth control method is right for them.
“We’re excited to offer New Mexicans Read More
Building A Healthier New Mexico: Blue ImpactSM Grants Now Open
BCBSNM News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s Blue Impact grant program is accepting 2026-27 applications through May 1. These grants and other BCBSNM community investments directly target the social and economic factors that play a role in health and wellness.
Awarded grants range from $20,000 to $100,000. Requests should stay within this range to be considered for funding. More information about Blue Impact grants and the link to apply are available here.
“At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, our mission is to help ensure that every New Mexican has the opportunity Read More
‘LIFELINE: 2026 Youth Summit’ Friday At Mesa Library
COUNTY News:
“LIFELINE: 2026 Youth Summit” is a free, high-energy event for high school students focused on connection, resilience, and real-world life skills.
The summit is 5-8 p.m., Friday, March 6, at Mesa Public Library, 2400 Central Ave.
Students will enjoy free food trucks, door prizes, and a prevention toolkit for every participant.
The Summit features interactive workshops and short talks on topics like mental health support, suicide prevention, and how to safely administer NARCAN, alongside hands-on activities and creative experiences hosted by the YMCA, JJAB, Los Alamos Read More
Dannemann: The New Malpractice Law
By MERILEE DANNEMANN
Triple Spaced Again
© 2026 by Merilee Dannemann
Like most New Mexicans, I am deeply relieved that our medical malpractice law has been changed to get rid of unlimited punitive damages, the part of the law that has been scaring the heck out of our doctors and leading too many of them to leave the state.
I have already seen the first attack on the new version of the law – an article by a trial lawyer implying that injured patients won’t receive the compensation they deserve and greedy corporations will have no incentive for safety. Let’s clear this up.
The news coverage has focused Read More
Seeking LAHS Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors To Apply For LAMC’s 2026 ‘Multiple Avenues For Successful Healthcare’ Program
LAMC News:
Continuing a community tradition, Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC) and Los Alamos High School are very pleased to once again offer the Multiple Avenues for Successful Healthcare (MASH) program to interested and eligible high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The goal of this annual program is to expose local students to the multiple exciting and rewarding career opportunities available in their hometown hospital.
This one-week job shadowing experience will occur on the LAMC campus, at 3917 West Road, June 1-5. The shadowing program is designed to involve interactive Read More
Walk To End Alzheimer’s Hosts Open House March 14
Gessing: Medical Malpractice Success A Win, But More Needed
By PAUL J. GESSING
President
Rio Grande Foundation
The passage of medical malpractice reform is the most important public policy success in New Mexico in more than a decade. It took support from New Mexicans of every political stripe and a bi-partisan coalition in the Legislature to achieve this success, but at long last the State’s malpractice-driven doctor shortage may be over.
In addition to the medical malpractice bill, the Legislature entered New Mexico into the national doctor compact and enacted a $10K tax credit for physicians. Combined, this may be enough to start turning the tide. Read More
Family’s Fate Forever Altered: Los Alamos Medical Center Saves Two Lives
Hannah and Rayne Bachman and their children, Max and new baby Violet. Courtesy/LAMC
Los Alamos Medical Center News:
Contractions began the night of her due date, signaling the on-schedule conclusion of a perfectly healthy pregnancy. Bags were packed, and a trip to Santa Fe was all planned to welcome the Bachman family’s second child into the world. But just hours later, Hannah Bachman found herself in a terrifying emergency fighting for two lives.
“Everything was going fine and normal,” recalled the Los Alamos resident of that moment just more than one month ago. “And then, in the morning, my Read More
Read The Latest Letters To The Editor
Community Celebrates Rep. Christine Chandler For Successfully Leading The Charge For Medical Malpractice Reform
The Democratic Party of Los Alamos County invited the community to raise a glass to Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe, center, at a ‘Cheers to Chris’ happy hour event Sunday at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op in Central Park Square. They celebrated Chandler because after years of failed attempts, New Mexico finally has medical malpractice reform — and she led the charge with her HB 99, which passed the House 66-3, survived a bruising committee process, and then passed the Senate 40-2. The bill is now waiting for the governor’s signature. This legislation will help recruit Read More
Luján Meets With Officials, Highlights Federal Funding Secured For Local Communities, Holds RECA Outreach
Sen. Ben Ray Luján on Tuesday visited the Amador Health Center in Las Cruces to meet with the center’s leadership and celebrate federal funding secured for the facility. Courtesy/BRL Office
STATE News:
LAS CRUCES — U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) held a series of events this week where he met with local leaders, engaged with local community members, and highlighted federal funding he secured to support health care, strengthen broadband access, and bolster infrastructure in the Las Cruces region. Sen. Lujan also led a public outreach forum to raise awareness about expanded compensation available Read More
Legislation To Eliminate Surprise Facility Fees For Routine Medical Care Heads To Governor’s Desk
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate passed a bill today to eliminate facility fees—extra charges separate from doctors’ bills—for routine outpatient services, sending the measure to the governor’s desk for signature.
House Bill 306, sponsored by House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, and Sen. Elizabeth “Liz” Stefanics, both Santa Fe Democrats, cleared the Senate on a bipartisan 39-0 vote.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the bill would prohibit hospitals and health systems from charging facility fees directly to patients for preventative outpatient care, outpatient vaccination Read More
Community Invited To Celebrate Rep. Christine Chandler On Her Successful Medical Malpractice Reform Bill This Sunday 3-4 At The Tub
Dist. 43 Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, Sandoval & Santa Fe, on the House floor during the opening of the 30-Day session Jan. 20 at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From the Democratic Party of Los Alamos County:
Rep. Christine Chandler, D-Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe, deserves a celebration! After years of failed attempts, New Mexico finally has medical malpractice reform — and our own Los Alamos legislator led the charge.
HB 99 passed the House 66-3, survived a bruising committee process, and then passed the Senate 40-2. The bill is now Read More
New Mexico Legislature Approves SB101 To Make Hospital Funding Program Permanent; Bill Heads To Governor
NMHCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Legislature gave unanimous approval Tuesday to Senate Bill 101, legislation that would permanently extend a state program supporting hospitals that serve Medicaid patients across New Mexico.
SB 101 passed with unanimous bipartisan support, clearing the Senate 31–0 and the House 57–0.
The bill repeals the sunset clause in the Health Care Delivery and Access Act and ensures continued financial support for eligible hospitals that care for Medicaid members.
“Making this program permanent helps ensure hospitals across New Mexico have the stability Read More
Medigap Bill Passes House, Heads To Governor’s Desk
ALTSD News:
SANTA FE — A bill giving more than 70,000 New Mexicans who rely on Medicare supplement insurance to cover out-of-pocket health costs the freedom to change their coverage each year—without risking denial over pre-existing conditions – passed the House late Tuesday and heads to the governor’s desk.
Senate Bill 21, sponsored by Senators Wilson, Woods, Campos, Hickey, Stefanics and Representative Szczepanski, establishes a “birthday rule” for Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policyholders. The measure allows eligible enrollees to switch to a plan with equal or lesser Read More
Robinson: One-sided Clear Horizons Act Failed In Senate
By SHERRY ROBINSON
All She Wrote
© 2026 New Mexico News Services
The Clear Horizons Act was another of those bills we’ve seen so often in New Mexico that balances the environment against the economy. In a floor vote, the Senate chose the economy.
Senate Bill 18 was one of those marquee bills that got a lot of attention before and during the session. Senate President Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, revamped the bill she carried last year. It would help reduce natural disasters driven by climate change if legislators could cement greenhouse gas reductions in state law, supporters believed.
I’m not Read More
Doctors Thank Rep. Christine Chandler For Leadership In Sponsoring, Championing HB 99 Medical Malpractice Reform
By Robert McAtee, MD
Española
By Elena McAtee, MD
Los Alamos
We would like to express our gratitude to Representative Christine Chandler for her leadership in sponsoring and championing HB 99, a long-needed step toward meaningful medical malpractice reform in New Mexico.
Throughout this process, Representative Chandler listened carefully to her constituents, thoroughly researched this complex issue, and then worked diligently to advance thoughtful
solutions. Passing this legislation required navigating significant resistance and complex competing interests, making its success Read More
New Mexico Healthcare Just Got Closer To Your Home: Telehealth Booths Bring The Doctor To A Library Near You
STATE News:
SANTA FE – It’s no surprise that accessing healthcare in New Mexico’s sparsely populated and geographically isolated communities is difficult. There is a vast health and broadband “desert” in this state and New Mexico State Library, together with The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is working hard to solve this issue through telehealth booths at public libraries.
Designed to fit within a public library space, these 7 x 7 x 10-foot standalone booths are soundproof, private, ADA compliant, and equipped with a computer connected to high-speed internet. Community Read More
New Mexico Senate Passes Universal Child Care
Bill Sponsor Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Senate voted Thursday to pass legislation establishing universal child care while protecting the program’s accessibility for working families across the state.
Senate Bill 241, sponsored by Sen. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) and approved on a 25-15 vote, would provide child care to New Mexico families without mandatory co-pays except under specific economic conditions such as inflation or declining oil revenues. If economic triggers are met, co-pays would begin only for families earning above 600% of the Read More