Public Health New Mexico

The New Mexico Department of Health is offering free vaccinations to children 18 years and under at locations across the state until the end of August. The program is intended to get kids protected, and make sure they meet school vaccination requirements as they head back to the classroom for a new year.

The City of Albuquerque is looking to make it easier to establish Safe Outdoor Spaces for people living on the streets by changing a few key ordinances. Only one space has been opened so far, which is located at New Creations Church in the International District.

State officials presented Wednesday to lawmakers details on a pilot program that will dispense medications for treating substance use disorder at public health offices. The New Mexico Department of Health has already been providing prescriptions to be filled elsewhere, but this is the first time they will be offering the medications themselves.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced Thursday a dog in Grant County tested positive for rabies. It’s the eighth animal in the state with a confirmed case this year. Although rabies is uncommon, it’s still one of the deadliest known viruses.

The Albuquerque City Council on Monday passed a plan that's been in the making for about a year and a half on how to spend millions of dollars in funds meant to fight the opioid epidemic, but there was some debate and disagreement on where the funds should go between the council and the mayor's office.

The country is dealing with one of the largest measles outbreaks since the respiratory virus was declared eliminated in 2000, leading to a child’s death this week in Texas — the first life lost to the disease in 10 years. In response, the New Mexico Department of Health launched a measles resource guide, including frequently asked questions, best practices and a case tracker.

A trio of health care bills passed through their first committee Friday with broad bipartisan support. They’re all aimed at expanding access to health care by making it easier for some providers to move into the state. House bills 79, 81 and 82 would add New Mexico to a growing list of states allowing providers to practice as long as they’re licensed in any other state within the compact.

A nonprofit research firm says New Mexico doesn’t have enough funding in place to properly maintain and improve the state’s transportation system. What’s more, declining and deficient infrastructure is costing New Mexicans billions of dollars.

The State Healthcare Authority is raising Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers who work with patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help attract and retain more of those providers.

The state announced Friday norovirus cases have been on the rise in New Mexico amid a larger national trend.