Latest news with #NewMexicoDepartmentofWorkforceSolutions
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
$2M health care worker recruitment effort passes House
Mar. 5—SANTA FE — A $2 million effort to draw health care workers back to New Mexico is heading to the Senate. The House floor on Wednesday passed House Bill 15 on a 39-21 vote. The legislation would create a "health care strategic recruitment program" within the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, sending $2 million for the state to use for recruitment efforts. The bill specifically targets health care professionals who have graduated within the last 10 years from a New Mexico institution or program but aren't practicing in the state. "I do believe that our health care workers across the state maybe need a little bit of a battle cry to come back home: We miss you, and we're ready for you," Anaya said. She added that the $2 million appropriation is already included in the proposed budget sitting in the Senate Finance Committee. The bill is part of a larger package Democrats have dubbed "patient safety over profits." Another effort part of the package, to institute stricter nurse-to-patient ratios, is waiting to be heard on the House floor. Anaya had to steer the debate back to her bill a few times in the hourlong discussion. Health care worker recruitment and retention has become somewhat of a contentious issue in the Roundhouse, mainly in terms of how to address the workforce shortage plaguing New Mexico. Rep. Cathrynn Brown, R-Carlsbad, brought medical malpractice into the conversation. Republicans have been supportive of efforts to rein in medical malpractice lawsuit damages. Brown said "basic reform" to the state's medical malpractice laws would be a better measure to implement to recruit workers, as opposed to spending $2 million on these recruitment efforts. Rep. Art De La Cruz, D-Albuquerque, also had questions on medical malpractice, saying that many doctors are leaving New Mexico because of its laws. A bill to curb medical malpractice liability while not reducing caps on damages, Senate Bill 176, still hasn't had its first committee hearing. Set to go before Senate Health and Public Affairs first, committee chair Sen. Linda López, D-Albuquerque, declined to comment on the bill or when it would be scheduled. Anaya, in response to De La Cruz, said hospitals pay for medical malpractice insurance. In turn, De La Cruz pointed out that "not every medical operation is a hospital." "Not everybody's Presbyterian or UNMH. In my district ... I have Casa de Salud, and they struggle mightily," said De La Cruz, who represents Albuquerque's South Valley. He continued to ask how medical malpractice affects community health care workers. Anaya clarified that HB15 is not about medical malpractice but said caseworkers, as part of the bill, could help interested transplants get set up in local practices. Following this year's House tradition of a standing ovation after a new legislator's first bill passage and having the newbie sing a song, Anaya belted out a few lines of "Proud Mary" after HB15 passed the floor.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State settles pandemic overpayment class-action lawsuit
Feb. 25—Previously shuttling around Albuquerque residents as an Uber and Lyft driver, Yohanna Gerges found himself without passengers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. Left without a regular income, Gerges filed for unemployment with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions in April 2020. He didn't expect he'd be told by the state to pay back $13,432 of that claim. But now, following a January settlement from a class-action lawsuit filed against the state over its pandemic-era overpayments, Gerges and tens of thousands of other New Mexicans are no longer expected to pay the department back, and those who already reimbursed the state could potentially get refunded. Getting to this point Like others amid the pandemic, Gerges went to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, or DWS, to find a temporary solution while the world adapted to a new life. While Gerges found difficulties in filing because of what he said was a faulty system, he eventually received a claim of $461 a week. But months later, DWS said it had given Gerges too much money and asked him to repay it, as the state agency did for thousands of other New Mexicans as well. Overpayments totaled $250 million, according to DWS. Gerges joined four other workers in March 2023 in filing suit against the state. Less than two years later, the state and the five plaintiffs agreed to a settlement. The settlement states that New Mexicans who received unemployment insurance claims under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act aren't responsible for the overpayments. Additionally, the settlement found that anyone who reimbursed the state could qualify for refunds. "The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reevaluated overpayments for claimants who were paid incorrectly due to the unprecedented expansion of benefits and rapidly changing rules during the pandemic," said DWS Cabinet Secretary Sarita Nair. The department has waived $100 million in blanket waivers, which forgive repayment obligations for some people, and will make individual waiver requests available so those affected can apply. The key difference is that individual waivers require claimants to apply and demonstrate eligibility on a case-by-case basis, while blanket waivers apply automatically to a qualifying group based on a single set of facts, according to DWS. More than 36,000 individuals will soon receive information on how to make an individual waiver request that they can apply for, according to the department. "This waiver provides much-needed relief to individuals who were overpaid pandemic benefits through no fault of their own," Nair said. Due to the number of overpayments, it may take DWS several months to complete the process, according to DWS. Frustration and a lack of communication During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people were out of work in New Mexico and filed claims with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to receive unemployment benefits. With the flood of unemployment applications, the department awarded more benefits than permitted by the programs, according to the complaint against the department. So in February 2021, it started issuing notices to the public that they needed to pay back the money. Gerges said the website and the department made it hard for anyone to reach out for information. "You try to call and reach anyone in the department and their lines were always either busy or on hold," Gerges said. "If somebody picked up, you'd be lucky if they knew what needed to be done." Before he was asked to reimburse overpayments, Gerges said the department cut his weekly payments in half and did not provide an explanation or a chance to appeal. Then DWS asked him to repay money. "They were taking money back without adjudication, without letting me appeal, without letting me contest, without trying to explain to me," Gerges said. Stephanie Welch, workers' rights director with the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty, which represented those who filed the class-action lawsuit against DWS, called the settlement a "major step toward addressing the challenges faced by workers during the pandemic." Ives & Flores also represented the plaintiffs. "New Mexicans who lost their jobs through no fault of their own deserve to make ends meet, and they should not be burdened by circumstances beyond their control," Welch said.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State implements identity verification for new unemployment claimants
Feb. 25—New Mexico residents filing for unemployment benefits must now verify their identity. That's according to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, which announced the change Tuesday. The department in a news release said the change applies to people filing online and in person. "We are committed to strengthening the integrity of our unemployment insurance system while also increasing options for the public," Workforce Solutions Secretary Sarita Nair said in a statement. She said the change will "particularly benefit rural communities." Residents applying for unemployment benefits can do so online using the department said in a news release. Those who want to verify their identity in person can head to the more than two dozen America's Job Center New Mexico locations and participating U.S. Postal Service offices. The department said all new unemployment claimants must verify their identities within 10 days of submitting claims. If verifying in person at a postal office, residents can bring a state-issued driver's license, a state-issued ID card, a U.S. armed forces ID card, or a U.S. passport — the latter two of which require a secondary ID. If applying in person at a local America's Job Center, a Social Security card, past year's W-2 tax form with a full Social Security number, or paycheck stubs with the last four digits of the Social Security number must be submitted alongside either a birth certificate, state-issued driver's license, state-issued ID card, passports and passport card, tribal identification or military ID. New Mexico is the seventh state to offer multiple identity verification options and the 22nd to utilize the postal service — a collaboration between the USPS and the U.S. Department of Labor. The news comes as Nair and state Economic Development Secretary-designate Rob Black held a Monday news conference to discuss options for laid-off federal workers in New Mexico. Nair told reporters about 140 federal workers have so far filed for unemployment claims, with another 2,200 workers on their probationary period — the latter a target for the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency to cut costs.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State releases identification requirements for people to receive unemployment
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Getting unemployment insurance benefits now requires additional information. The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions said anyone who wants to make a claim must now submit their ID within ten days of submission. Officials say this change enhances security and prevents fraud. New Mexico MVD online services, retail kiosks will be temporarily unavailable The state provided these options for people to verify their identity: America's Job Center locations Social Security Card Past year's W2 form with full social security number Paycheck stubs with last 4 of social security number You will also need to also bring one of the following to the job center: Birth Certificate State issued driver's license State issued ID card Passports and Passport Card Permanent Residence Card Military ID Military DD214 Tribal Identification Online verification (Click here to verify online) State Government ID At a U.S. Postal Service location State issued driver's license State issued ID card U.S. Armed Forces or uniformed service ID card (requires secondary ID) U.S. Passport (requires secondary ID) If your current address is different from what is on your ID, you will need to bring: Lease, mortgage, or deed of trust Voter registration card Vehicle registration card Home or vehicle insurance policy The post office will not accept the following as ID: Social Security Cards Credit Card or Utility Bill Statements State issued school ID Medical Marijuana Card Concealed Carry License Any expired ID Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal layoffs affect national park, tribal university and more in New Mexico
Feb. 23—Guided tours at Carlsbad Caverns National Park have been suspended, an Albuquerque-based tribal college has no tutors left and veterans could face paperwork delays after President Donald Trump dramatically cut the federal workforce. As Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency cuts large swathes of the federal government, the fallout is just beginning to be felt in New Mexico, where federal employees make up anywhere from 3% to 5% of the workforce, depending on which government agency you ask. According to the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, as of December 2024, there were 29,600 federal employees in the state of the 898,600 non-farmworkers, but a cross-analysis of the American Community Survey and current employment statistics by the Economic Policy Institute found that there are closer to 44,000 federal government employees living in New Mexico as of Feb. 18. With much of the federal government allowed to remote work until recent months, the true number of federal employees living in any state has been harder to gage, though that seems to be rapidly changing under the new administration, which required all federal workers back in the office within days of taking over. Plus, seasonal workers are also hard to count and many in New Mexico working in the forests and parks are typically seasonal workers. More federal layoffs are likely coming. On Saturday, Musk said in a social media post that federal employees will get an email asking them to explain what they did in the previous work week, and "failure to respond will be taken as a resignation." Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the agency to cut its budget by 8%, which could include layoffs of uniformed and civilian employees. As part of that budget cut, the Pentagon is planning to fire 5,400 employees starting this week, according to an announcement Friday. DOD budget cuts are expected to affect military institutions in New Mexico, according to Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M. "We — 377th Airbase Wing — are fully executing and implementing all directives outlined in the executive orders issued by the president, ensuring they are carried out with utmost professionalism, efficiency and in alignment with national security objectives," said Lt. Daniel Fernandez, a Kirtland Air Force Base public information officer. This past week, rumors abounded. The truth was harder to discern given the atmosphere of fear and promises of retribution. Many current and former federal employees the Journal spoke with said they were instructed not to speak to the media, or had signed non-disclosure agreements. Indeed, if anyone can confirm information about layoffs, please see the bottom of this story, and contact us. After speaking to more than two dozen current and laid-off federal employees in New Mexico, here's what we know: National parks and monuments More than half of Carlsbad Caverns National Park's seasonal staff were laid off, according to a former employee to whom we granted anonymity for fears of retribution, and the park may have to close a few days a week. Guided tours have been suspended for a minimum of 30 days after the federal government laid off 14 out of 25 interpreter rangers, but more likely that will be indefinite, according to the worker. "They were talking about having to possibly close a couple of days a week, so closing the gate, so nobody can get in," the former Carlsbad employee told the Journal. "We are already short on law enforcement officers. We had a bunch retire in October, and so we have had one on duty for the last four months." A call to the Carlsbad Caverns office confirmed guided tours had been suspended for 30 days due to staffing, and the employee could not say if the tours would be available by summer. Visitors can still do self-guided tours. The national press office did not respond to an email seeking information about layoffs at parks in New Mexico. Calls to more than a dozen national park offices in New Mexico were answered by employees this week, most not willing to discuss layoffs. One employee, when asked about possible cuts, replied, "I appreciate that, but I would like to keep my job." Late Friday, the National Park Service announced it would hire back 50 maintenance staff across the country, and beef up its seasonal hiring from 5,000 to 7,700 positions to help stem concerns, and outrage, over the cuts, though it was unclear immediately how this move would affect New Mexico's parks and monuments. One employee and a volunteer at separate offices confirmed cuts had been made of probationary employees at the Aztec Ruins National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The employee, who worked at a separate office, said at Chaco Canyon at least one maintenance person and two people on the preservation crew who provide upkeep to the ancient dwellings had been let go. "The thousand-year-old buildings, yes, those guys," the employee said, adding that the cuts were "definitely" made because they were probationary and will "definitely affect their operations" at Chaco. Denise Robertson, superintendent for Aztec Ruins National Monument and Chaco Culture National Historical Site, said no such cuts had been made. "Not at the current time," she said. When asked about the information given by employees at separate offices that these cuts had indeed been made, Robertson said: "I am saying that's incorrect and I am the park superintendent." Native American schools, health care Twenty percent of the staff at the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute were laid off last week, including the vice president of college operations. The Albuquerque-based tribal college has no tutors left, said Board of Regents member Raymond Gachupin of the Jemez Pueblo, and graduation is fast approaching in April. Tutoring is especially crucial because of the disruptions the COVID-19 pandemic created for many students, he said. Some instructors were fired in the middle of teaching classes, he said. The college lost 31 staff members, including 17 who were fired and 14 who decided to take early retirement. The school is working with its educational partners to try to fill the need for tutoring temporarily, he said, but in the long term, the terminated positions will need to be filled. Staff cuts threatened at Indian Health Services last week were halted, said Mescalero Apache President Thora Padilla, but she is worried it could only be a reprieve. The IHS Mescalero Service Unit only has one full-time medical provider, and close to a 50% vacancy rate. If probationary employees had been fired, seven of the service unit's employees would have been cut, she said. Approximately 950 IHS employees were terminated the Friday before last, but the new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy rescinded the layoffs, according to the National Council of Urban Indian Health. National forests and U.S. Forest Service About a quarter of the estimated staff of Carson National Forest was fired, while 40% of Gila National Forest staff were fired, according to several former employees. New Mexico has five national forests. The Forest Service national press office could not confirm a specific number of fired employees at the state level, but the Forest Service was the hardest hit agency for probationary cuts, losing 3,400 people in the past week. "Released employees were probationary in status, many of whom were compensated by temporary (Inflation Reduction Act) funding," a U.S. Department of Agriculture spokesperson said. On Thursday, Jordan, who asked that her last name not be used to protect her identity, was working on her résumé after being laid off from a national forest in New Mexico. She is concerned staffing cuts could undermine the Forest Service's goals to conserve endangered species and do forest thinning to reduce wildfire risk. "We already had missing positions that weren't filled, that we were trying to get approved, and so it wasn't like we were overstaffed or anything," she said. "We were doing the jobs of like two to three people, some of us." Jordan grew up in New Mexico and long worked toward getting the qualifications needed for a job with the Forest Service. Her grandfather inspired her love of wildlife. "Where I was currently working was in an area that my grandpa had previously hunted," she said. "He has since passed away in 2013, so it was just really special to me to be working in this spot, knowing that I was helping the wildlife." Another laid-off Forest Service employee said she would have to pay $650 a month to keep her medical benefits and would likely be unable to see a health specialist she was regularly visiting. "These billionaires who are running the government and making all of this happen have no idea how the agencies function on the ground," she said. One of the remaining Forest Service employees who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the layoffs have created extra strain for remaining staff. He expects the cuts to have a big impact in the summer season. He also expects to lose his job as cuts continue. Conservation The only qualified contaminant biologist monitoring for, and responding to, oil and hazardous material spills across the state for the New Mexico Ecological Services Office within the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife was also laid off. Robert Prather was on call 24/7 to respond to oil and hazardous waste spills. He also assessed wildlife refuges and was the lead biologist for six different threatened and endangered fish species in New Mexico, making sure federal actions complied with the Endangered Species Act. Other people may have the capability to fill those roles, but likely not the capacity, he said. "We were already down a number of biologists, and everyone's plate, it was pretty much already full," Prather said. Prather only had three weeks left on his probationary period. At least 35 Natural Resources Conservation Services staff members have been fired in New Mexico, according to Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M. The NRCS helps farmers, ranchers and forest managers with financial and technical assistance. "The soil and water districts in New Mexico, probably half of them are co-housed with USDA, with NRCS, and so we know very well that cutting the staff is going to hurt all of us," said Debbie Hughes, executive director of the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts at a Thursday news conference focused on federal funding freezes. A USDA spokesperson did not have state-level data on layoffs. But U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins supports Trump's efforts to "eliminate inefficiencies," the spokesperson said, adding that Rollins is committed to "preserving essential safety positions and will ensure that critical services remain uninterrupted." Veterans Affairs Zero employees at the New Mexico Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System were affected by nationwide layoffs, said VA spokeswoman Christe Lattimore-Staple. While the VA hospital in Albuquerque escaped cuts, call center and administrative employees who helped veterans complete paperwork so they could get medical care were cut, which could create service backlogs, according to Stansbury. The VA announced on Feb. 13 that it had fired 1,000 employees nationwide, which the agency said would save $98 million annually. VA Secretary Doug Collins said the saved funds would be redirected to be spent on veteran care. "In the coming weeks and months, VA will be announcing plans to put these resources to work helping veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors," Collins said in a statement. Clovis resident Arielle Pines worked for the VA for 15 years before she was terminated as part of the mass layoffs, along with five of the 18 coworkers who were on her team at the Veterans Integrated Service Networks. In November, Pines transferred from one VA office to another. She began working a remote job on information systems, helping input information to give employees access to different systems when they get promoted or change grade level. Her department also tracked the metrics of different services. Taking on the new job gave her probationary status, despite her long tenure as a VA employee. Pines had a personal connection to her work. Her husband and brother are active duty, and her father is a disabled, retired veteran. Pines has appealed her termination and is looking for a new job. She'll try to find remote work or a DOD position. "I've applied to unemployment through the state of New Mexico," Pines said, "hoping that can somehow at least help our family right now with our financial situation, until hopefully this hiring freeze is lifted." Any tips, please send to journal@ Cathy Cook is a news reporter for the Albuquerque Journal. Reach her via email at ccook@
