'An alarm bell': Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service shutters amid turmoil for home health care

February 16, 2026 - 11:54

The sudden closure of the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) in New Mexico is raising urgent concerns about the stability of home-based healthcare. After over seven decades of serving the community, the nonprofit agency ceased operations, citing insurmountable financial and staffing challenges. This shutdown leaves a significant gap in care for vulnerable patients reliant on in-home medical services, therapies, and support.

Industry advocates describe the event as a distressing alarm bell for the broader home health sector. The leader of a state home and hospice care association stated the closure should serve as a stark warning for both the industry and policymakers. They point to a nationwide crisis driven by chronic workforce shortages, inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates, and rising operational costs that threaten the viability of essential agencies, particularly in rural or isolated areas.

The fallout in Los Angeles County underscores a fragile system where patients and dedicated healthcare workers bear the brunt of systemic pressures. Families now face the difficult task of finding new providers in an already strained network, while employees are left seeking new positions. This event highlights the pressing need for sustainable funding models and strategic support to prevent other essential organizations from meeting the same fate, ensuring continued care for aging and homebound populations.