Health
Insulin price cap approved by U.S. House as Georgia’s Warnock pushes for Senate passage
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill on a bipartisan 232-193 vote that would limit the price of insulin, as congressional Democrats met throughout the day with health care advocates to make their case for the proposal. Democratic Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Patty Murray of Washington state held a virtual […]
Biden pleads with Congress for more COVID aid, gets his own second booster
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced a new COVID-19 government website Wednesday while urging Congress to approve billions in funding to keep the pandemic at bay. Speaking from the White House, Biden said that without a bipartisan agreement on new funding, the federal government will need to roll back or end programs meant to curb […]
New Mexico keeps its COVID-19 treatments despite federal sweeps
With congressional funding for COVID protections in jeopardy, the amount of COVID treatments the federal government is sending to state health departments is being reduced by 30%. The supply of antiviral drugs dwindles as New Mexico’s health authorities have all but abandoned policies to prevent infection, instead putting their hopes into having enough of those […]
Gallup hospital org names new CEO, a first step to avoid being kicked out
The nonprofit running a major Gallup medical center has named a new chief executive officer to lead the troubled hospital. Robert Whitaker, currently the president and CEO of Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas, will take over at Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital. The Gallup hospital is the biggest in the region, apart from one run […]
Española veterans plead to keep the local VA clinic
ESPAÑOLA—Ben Pearce, a disabled veteran living in Española, said he feels blessed to have people in his life who help him figure out all the logistics of getting medical care. If a plan by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs goes through, he and his fellow veterans in rural parts of New Mexico will need […]
U.S. House speaker hints at bigger COVID aid push after $15 billion yanked from spending bill
The need for federal funding to address COVID-19 may be greater after lawmakers removed a $15 billion relief package from an omnibus spending bill last week, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday. Amid reports of rising case levels overseas, Pelosi said the United States may need more than the amount negotiated with Republicans that […]
Woman alleges medical neglect at San Juan County jail
A woman being held at the San Juan County jail says medical staff at the facility have repeatedly denied her requests for care and medicine to treat her chronic health conditions. In a tort claim notice filed on behalf of Aurelia Hernandez, she said staff at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center also attempted […]
How prepared is New Mexico for another wave?
A major part of New Mexico’s pandemic strategy moving forward is to widely distribute antiviral medication to every pharmacy in the state, and to some health care offices. The state’s plans are meant to make it possible for people who catch coronavirus to quickly get treatment, according to acting N.M. Health Secretary David Scrase. Paxlovid […]
Amid outcry, county threatens to kick out org running Gallup hospital
The county commission overseeing a troubled Northwestern New Mexico hospital has taken a dramatic step to get things in shape there — threatening to expel the organization that has run it for 40 years. McKinley County’s three commissioners voted unanimously Monday to end the county’s lease agreement with Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services, which […]
Senators oppose plan to close four VA clinics
New Mexico’s U.S. senators are criticizing a report released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday, which recommends closing four clinics across the state in Gallup, Las Vegas, Raton and Española. The VA says once those community-based outpatient clinics close, health care in those areas would move to other community providers. Sens. Martin […]
Southwestern states make changes to welfare after ProPublica investigations
Across the Southwest, states are reconsidering how they approach welfare, with several legislatures enacting or considering new laws to ensure that more assistance is made available to low-income families struggling to afford rent, child care, groceries and diapers. The moves follow months of ProPublica reporting on punitive and outdated welfare policies in this part of […]
VA eyes major changes in health care system as veterans flock to the South, Southwest
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday began the years-long process of restructuring its nationwide health care network, an endeavor that will require the president and Congress to sign off before it could begin. The restructuring would mean the closures or consolidations of some medical facilities, likely provoking opposition from communities and […]