AGP Executive Report

Ohio Medicaid Crackdown Politics: Vivek Ramaswamy says he’d “crush” Medicaid fraud by boosting prosecutions, simplifying administration, and pushing for more federal savings—while Gov. Mike DeWine points to his own moves, including a temporary halt on new home-health providers. Public Health Watch: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told ABC News the U.S. is “working on it” as Ebola and hantavirus concerns linger after CDC updates. Food Safety: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are recalled in 17 states over possible salmonella risk tied to a milk-powder ingredient; no illnesses reported. Local Justice: Chad Palmer, accused in the stabbing of Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger and Sgt. Dan Broome, waived a bond hearing and remains jailed pending the case. Care Access in Cincinnati: UC Health is expanding liver transplant capacity using Paragonix’s LIVERguard system, aiming to safely use more distant, complex donor organs. Road Safety: A 54-year-old Marion man died in a motorcycle crash on Ohio 4; the 16-year-old driver had minor injuries.

Prison Healthcare Overhaul: A federal judge in Arizona is pushing to quickly appoint a receiver to fix chronic unconstitutional prison healthcare, aiming to lock in funding negotiations tied to the July 1 budget. Cancer Care Recognition: OncLive named 14 “Giants of Cancer Care” honorees, spotlighting new approaches across breast, colorectal, and other cancers. Local Health & Safety: In Ohio, a probable cancer-causing chemical plume tied to PPG has persisted near the Scioto River for decades, while Tuscarawas County reports a chickenpox uptick and Lorain County appoints a new public health commissioner. Community Wellness: Lima Memorial’s Golf Classic is raising money for next-gen cancer diagnosis and treatment tools, and a local mental health talk in Lima urged people to watch for symptoms lasting beyond two weeks. Policy Watch: Ohio lawmakers introduced a bill to ban politicians and staff from trading in prediction markets like Kalshi/Polymarket.

Salmonella Alert: Michigan reports at least 21 illnesses (including about seven children) tied to contact with backyard chicks and ducklings, with 184 cases across 31 states linked to multiple strains—health officials stress handwashing after handling poultry. Public Safety: Akron police say a 16-year-old was shot in the head outside a vape shop; detectives are hunting suspects. Aviation Probe: Northeast Ohio investigators are reviewing what caused a small plane to crash into a home and kill both pilots. Allergy Season: Louisville’s pollen count is expected to stay very high, especially grass pollen, worsening seasonal allergies. Community & Care: A study from University Hospitals finds music therapy for surgical patients with mental health/substance use conditions is linked to higher medical complexity and longer stays—highlighting how care planning needs to account for mental health. Local Memory: Lakeside Chautauqua will host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in late May.

Medicaid Crackdown: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine unveiled a plan to curb Medicaid fraud in home healthcare, including GPS-based verification that providers actually visited patients, plus a six-month pause on new home health and hospice companies joining Medicaid. Public Health Funding: Ohio also announced $61 million in Brownfield remediation grants across 75 counties, including multiple West Central Ohio projects aimed at cleaning up contaminated sites for future reuse. Community Wellness: Elida’s National Honor Society held its annual “Laps for Life” fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, turning school spirit into steps for a cure. Safety & Health Risks: A 67-year-old Dublin woman died after a crash into a retention pond near Powell, and Toledo police reported an armed-man shooting after a shotgun threat call. Civic Engagement Watch: A West Virginia primary election drew low turnout, raising fresh concerns about voter participation and representation.

VA Health IT Rollout: U.S. VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence visited the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center to discuss a major Federal Electronic Health Record update, with new facilities in southern Ohio set to go live in June and more sites following later this year. Ohio Data Center Push Meets Health Concerns: Residents across Ohio are packing planning meetings and pushing back on data centers as lawmakers debate regulation, taxes, and environmental impacts—anxiety about strain on local resources and health is driving the backlash. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown Context: The week’s broader focus on fraud and oversight continues to shape how Ohio and federal agencies talk about home health and hospice billing. Public Safety: A pedestrian died after a hit-and-run in Linden, and a separate Route 62 head-on crash in Perry Township left two adults dead and a juvenile seriously injured. Community & Care: Team IMPACT marks 15 years pairing seriously ill and disabled kids with college teams, highlighting belonging as a health support.

Medicaid Fraud Spotlight: A new report alleges Ohio’s Medicaid system is being exploited through “Medicaid millionaires,” with investigators pointing to a Columbus address tied to dozens of companies and tens of millions in billings for loosely defined home services. Drug Pricing Pressure: A “most favored nation” drug pricing model is being criticized for putting people with disabilities at risk, with advocates warning that cost controls could undervalue their lives. Voting Rights Fight: Thousands marched in Selma and Montgomery to protest redistricting efforts targeting Black Democratic members of Congress, echoing the Civil Rights era. Data Center Debate: Local voices are pushing back on “no data center” campaigns, arguing communities need rules that balance jobs, security, and health. Ohio Courts & Health: Ohio AG Dave Yost is trying to dismiss 77 cases tied to former OSU doctor Richard Strauss, arguing claims before Oct. 21, 1986 should be thrown out. Local Safety: Multiple crashes and a fatal Norwood Lateral crash are under investigation, alongside a deadly Eastlake toddler shooting case.

Healthcare Affordability Push: Texas voters are demanding hospital price transparency as costs keep climbing—86% say they’re very concerned, and 93% support requiring hospitals to disclose prices, according to a new statewide survey. Ohio Health Policy: Ohio is also facing pressure on care access and costs, with reports highlighting nursing homes sending medically fragile residents to homeless shelters amid housing shortages. Medical Recognition & Naming: A major shift is underway in women’s health language: experts are renaming PCOS to PMOS to better reflect broader metabolic and hormonal impacts. Local Safety: In Hancock County, a Findlay man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Route 68 near SR 15; investigators say he lost control and both riders were thrown. Community & Prevention: Lisbon school board approved a new teachers’ contract, while Belmont County seniors gathered for suicide-prevention education at “Fiesta For Your Mind.”

Officer-Involved Shooting: Trumbull County investigators are looking into an officer-related shooting in Warren that sent two people to the hospital and shut down a stretch of Charles Avenue SE. Court & Mental Health: A former East Palestine police officer accused of threatening court officials gets another hearing set for June 11, after earlier competency and sanity questions. Local Safety & Health: Eastlake police say a 2-year-old was shot and underwent emergency surgery; investigators are still sorting out what led up to it. Medicaid Pressure: A new report warns more than half a million Ohioans could lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade, putting rural hospitals and clinics at risk. Community Care: RAINN and Visby roll out at-home STI testing with telehealth follow-up for survivors in care deserts. Ohio Funding: Gov. DeWine announced $61M in brownfield remediation grants across 75 counties. Wellness Spotlight: Cleveland Clinic donated $1.25M to expand preschool nutrition programs through Children’s Hunger Alliance.

Medicare Crackdown: CMS is rolling out a six-month nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollment for hospices and home health agencies, aiming to keep “bad actors” out while it ramps up investigations and suspends payments tied to suspected fraud. Ohio Nursing Homes: In Ohio, nursing-home operators are still waiting on the state to redo incentive payments after an Ohio Supreme Court ruling—providers say the delay could reach $1B and is squeezing staffing and costs. Akron Crash: A fatal small-plane crash into a home in Akron killed two people; the NTSB is on scene and the house fire was contained after evacuations. Cleveland Court: A Cleveland woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter after allegedly driving into a man, killing him; sentencing is set soon. Local Health & Community: Period poverty awareness is getting local support through product drives, while a free tennis event in Lima invites players of all skill levels.

Public Safety: A police chase in Miamisburg ended with a crash and an arrest after a stolen Impala ran red lights, hit a car, and the driver jumped into the Great Miami River before being taken to a hospital. Health & Brain: New research links heart attacks to a higher risk of later memory decline, reinforcing the idea that protecting heart health may help protect the brain. Local Tragedy: Two people died after a small plane crashed into a home in Akron, sparking a fast-moving fire and major neighborhood disruption. Medicare Watch: CMS is imposing a six-month moratorium on new hospice and home-health Medicare enrollments as part of a broader fraud crackdown—aimed at keeping bad actors out while legitimate providers keep serving patients. Justice & Health Care: The DOJ accused Yale Medical School of using “racial proxies” to get around the race-based admissions ban, escalating pressure on medical schools nationwide. Ohio Road Safety: A juvenile was critically hurt after being struck while crossing against a “Don’t Walk” signal in Columbus.

Ohio Health Watch: OhioHealth is fighting back in federal antitrust court, arguing the DOJ case against its insurer contracts lacks specific proof of anti-competitive harm. HIPAA & Cybersecurity: HHS-OCR says it reached $1.1M in HIPAA settlements tied to ransomware breaches, with covered groups required to fix risk-analysis gaps. Local Safety: Westlake police detained a ball python after a call about “unwanted slithering,” and Toledo reported a dog attack that injured three people. Health Access Confusion: A new report flags mammogram guidance mismatch as a reason some screenings may be delayed. Community Spotlight: Cincinnati announced the 2026 Cincy Serves honorees, awarding $5,300 each to local charities. Big Legal Drama: Former Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ says he was sexually abused by Richard Strauss as a teen, as Ohio State’s Strauss lawsuit keeps expanding with more former players joining. Public Health Policy: CMS is pausing new Medicare hospice and home health enrollments in a fraud crackdown.

Medicaid crackdown hits Ohio’s neighbors: VP JD Vance says the federal government is deferring $1.3B in Medicaid payments to California over alleged fraud, while CMS moves to pause new Medicare hospice and home-health enrollments nationwide for six months—aimed at stopping “bad actors” before they enter the system. Ohio policy pressure: Gov. Mike DeWine announced new Ohio Medicaid fraud prevention steps, including a moratorium on new home-healthcare and hospice providers and tighter revalidation for higher-risk billing. Local safety and health moves: Warren City Council approved requiring fire insurance for rental properties, with steep daily fines for uninsured landlords; Steubenville pulled the plug on a Belleview Park water slide after it failed U.S. safety standards. Community health access: Warren County’s mobile health unit is bringing exams, immunizations, and prescriptions to people without leaving work. Public health watch: Pittsburgh-area school vaccination rates are slipping, with measles coverage still below herd-immunity targets in Allegheny County. Human stories: A pregnant-nurse assault case in Liberty ended with a 10–15 year sentence, and Weirton honored a police officer’s lifesaving effort during National Police Week.

New CMO Appointment: Infinimmune named Srikanth Pendyala, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer as its first-in-human programs (IFX-101 and IFX-201) move toward patients in 2027. Medicare Crackdown: CMS announced a national six-month moratorium blocking new hospice and home health provider enrollment after fraud concerns—an abrupt shift that could reshape Ohio’s care pipeline. Ohio Politics: Dave Yost is stepping down early to join a legal group, and Gov. Mike DeWine tapped DPS Director Andy Wilson as the new attorney general. Public Safety: Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger and Sgt. Dan Broome were stabbed in West Salem; suspect Chad Palmer is in custody and both officials were treated and released. PFAS Milestone: Columbus-area “Annihilator” machines hit a milestone in targeting forever chemicals. Energy & Health Costs: A certified citizen petition could ban large Ohio data centers over 25 megawatts, as residents push back on power demand and rising bills. Local Care & Community: Midwest Electric donated $15,780 to west-central Ohio charities, including health and crisis support groups.

Public Safety: Wayne County Sheriff Thomas Ballinger and Sgt. Dan Broome were stabbed during a call about a suspicious man in Congress Township; both are out of the hospital and recovering, while Chad Alan Palmer is in custody in Ashland County. Health & Wellness Tech: University Hospitals in Cleveland integrated Fullscript into Epic so doctors can recommend supplements and vitamins with more visibility into what patients are taking. Medical Risk Watch: Cincinnati-area coverage compares a hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship to COVID-era fears, but experts say the key question is how easily it spreads between people. Youth Justice: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine broke ground on smaller, 36-bed juvenile facilities in Grafton (and similar ones in Bedford) to replace the larger Cuyahoga Hills campus, aiming for safer, more treatment-focused housing. Local Health Access: Lucas County approved a new jail medical provider deal with Armor Health starting July 1. Community & Care: Toledo’s HER Center opened to support girls ages 8–21 with mentorship and behavioral health connections.

Data Center Backlash (U.S.): A new wave of concern is building over hyperscale data centers “stealing” farmland, water, and power—fueling protests and fresh scrutiny as communities ask who pays for the strain on local resources. Local Environment & Youth Action (Ohio): Nearly 100 students in Lawrence County spent a day in Wayne National Forest testing water and soil, learning wildflowers, and cleaning trails—an effort backed by Ohio University Southern, local conservation groups, and a grant. Ohio University Leadership & Campus Life: Ohio University named John McCarthy interim EVP and provost, and campuses wrapped up Class of 2026 ceremonies while the university set FY27 salary increase guidelines for eligible staff. Health & Safety (Ohio): A Toledo-area doctor’s license fight has been delayed after allegations he forced abortion medication on a pregnant girlfriend; separately, Hamilton County confirmed a man died after a Lincoln Heights shooting. Cincinnati-area watch: Cincinnati schools’ low vaccine rates are again raising questions. Sports/Pop Culture: Journey added fall North American dates; LeBron’s Lakers future is in doubt after a playoff exit.

Air Quality & Climate Pressure: More coal is being burned and mercury limits are being rolled back, raising concerns about toxic pollution in the air. Local Health & Care Capacity: Allegheny Health Network is upgrading its LifeFlight helicopter fleet with new Airbus H145 D3 medical transports, expanding critical air care across western Pennsylvania and beyond. Behavioral Health Workforce: A Newport County op-ed spotlights rising demand for mental health services and the career pathways keeping providers in the field. Community Wellness in Action: Students at Sebring McKinley ran a school-year coffee business as a real-world training effort, while Madison’s riverfront parks are set for major 2026 upgrades aimed at accessibility and family-friendly amenities. Public Safety Watch: Ohio released details on two Pulaski Township crashes with suspected minor injuries. Policy & Prevention: Ohio is launching a statewide public education campaign on marijuana health and safety risks as use rises and perceived harm falls.