Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, a home health and hospice provider serving Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties for more than 50 years, will close later this month. The organization’s own closure letter and local reporting by the Los Alamos Daily Post say operations are expected to end on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Agency officials told Searchlight New Mexico that rising health care costs and lower insurance payments led to the decision to close.
Meggin Lorino, who leads the New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care, told Searchlight New Mexico the closure is an “alarm bell” for what can happen when home-based care lacks sufficient funding over time.
Key facts
- The Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service plans to close on Friday, February 20, 2026, according to the agency’s closure letter and the Los Alamos Daily Post.
- Searchlight New Mexico reported that the closure was due to financial strain, including less insurance revenue and higher operating costs.
- Rural logistics also played a role. Searchlight New Mexico noted the long travel distances and quoted clinical manager Susie Edwards, who said, “You just can’t keep up.”
- During the 2025 session, lawmakers approved a smaller Medicaid-related budget increase for personal care services. The funding details are in HB 55.
Financial Challenges facing the agency
Home health reimbursement depends on the payer. Medicare payments are based on the CMS Home Health Prospective Payment System, which sets rates using a federal payment structure.
In rural areas, it can be harder to make ends meet with these payment systems. Searchlight New Mexico reported that urban clinicians can see more patients each day because homes are closer together, while rural providers spend more time driving and see fewer patients.
The agency’s closure letter states the decision was based on financial viability. Leadership decided they could not keep operating under current conditions.
A bigger picture: Aging population and policy questions
This closure comes at a time when more people in New Mexico are reaching retirement age. According to the state health department, the number of residents aged 65 and older is increasing, which means more people are likely to need home care.
Uncertainty about health policy is making things even more complicated. State officials have noted that potential changes to federal Medicaid rules could place additional strain on rural health care. This concern was highlighted in a recent Medicaid reform summary.
What happens to patients and staff
For continuity of care, Searchlight New Mexico reported that other agencies said they would take on patients. However, transitions can still be hard, especially for those with complex needs.
The agency’s closure letter also says they are working to find options for patients, including talking with another hospice provider. However, the arrangements were not final when the letter was written.
How this affects rural health care
State officials admit that health care in rural areas costs more and is less reliable due to challenges such as long travel distances and limited resources. In response, the Governor’s office has begun seeking solutions, including launching the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to help these communities gain better access.
Overall, the closure of Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service provides a real example of the ongoing debate over whether current reimbursement and support systems truly meet the needs of rural care, as described by Searchlight New Mexico.