I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Congressman Ben Ray Luján, the Democrat that represents the 3rd Congressional District, wrote an op-ed in today’s Santa Fe New Mexican pledging his support in general for health care reform.
“For decades, opponents of health care reform efforts have done everything in their power to preserve the status quo and prevent reform,” Luján wrote. “But one thing is clear: We can’t afford the status quo.”
Health care reform should rein in costs and make health care more affordable for all Americans. The public option, which will create competition and increase choice, is just one of the provisions that can make health care more affordable.
Reform should include an annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses, which would help prevent families from being thrown into bankruptcy due to health care bills. Reform should also eliminate lifetime limits, which allow insurance companies to deny claims for those with chronic conditions — cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
The health care debate is raging in both houses of Congress, with U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a Silver City Democrat, among those crafting a bill for the Senate Finance Committtee. In the House, there are differences between the conservative Blue Dog Democrats and the Progressive Caucus on provisions in the bill, especially the public option.
Luján is a member of the progressive caucus, like his Democratic predecessor in the northern New Mexico House seat, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall.
With votes on the legislation delayed until after the congressional recess that begins next week, there is a widely expected media blitz from both sides while representatives and senators spend time in their districts and states.
