AGP Executive Report

Food Assistance: Ohio has distributed about $118M in Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) to support eligible families with school-aged kids during summer, with benefits tied to SNAP, Ohio Works First, and Medicaid and a reminder to spend or apply before the program closes. Public Health & Safety: The FDA upgraded a Whole Foods guacamole recall to its highest threat level after potential salmonella contamination, with distribution across multiple states including Ohio. Addiction Recovery Housing: Gov. DeWine signed an executive order creating a certification program for addiction recovery housing operators, aiming to reduce fraud and improve safety and accountability. Environmental Health: Researchers are studying whether Lake Erie algae toxins can become airborne, with early concerns for people with asthma and other conditions. Mosquito-Borne Disease: Conneaut’s health department reports West Nile virus positive mosquito samples again, urging residents to take precautions. Maternal Health Access: A mobile mammography unit from Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center will visit the Mahoning Valley through September, offering 3D mammography and support for screening. Mental Health Funding: Bethany Legacy Foundation awarded $4.46M in new grants to Jefferson County organizations supporting mental health, housing, and recovery services. Healthcare Innovation: University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital became the first in the U.S. to implant an expandable synthetic pulmonary valve during the FDA review phase. Community Wellness: Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel kicked off the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, a free program for students focused on fitness, nutrition, sleep, and mental wellness.

Ohio Education Oversight: Ohio asked the federal government for an ESSA waiver that could let the state take over local school improvement plans—and in worst cases push governance changes, charter conversions, or even school closures—while critics note private and parochial schools aren’t held to the same standard. Care Access in Columbus: Columbus launched a Nurse Health Care Navigation Line tied to 911, routing some callers to a nurse for assessment and connections to primary care, urgent care, telehealth, pharmacy, behavioral health, substance-use services, or transport. Food Safety: FDA issued a Class I recall for Whole Foods Mild Guacamole Dip over possible salmonella contamination, listing affected PLU codes and multiple states including Ohio. Drug Policy & Public Health: DEA/DOJ moved three kratom-related opioid-like compounds to Schedule I on an emergency basis for two years, citing abuse risk. Local Health Workforce: JobsOhio announced a technician earn-and-learn incentive for Ohio employers, plus new training and a medical wellness center opening in Canfield. Skilled Nursing Quality: A Cincinnati-based skilled nursing group highlighted how EMR-integrated partnerships helped improve Five-Star quality and reimbursement accuracy. Animal Health Tech: Purina and Ohio State reported smart litter box monitoring may help detect early feline chronic kidney disease signals at home.

Rural Pharmacy Access: Gov. DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health announced $3.15M in Rural Health Transformation Program awards to expand pharmacy connectivity in rural Ohio—$2M to the Ohio Pharmacists Association and $1.15M to the State Board of Pharmacy. Water Quality & Health: The Ohio Lake Erie Commission will host an in-person Domestic Action Plan workshop Sept. 3 in Toledo as Ohio ramps up efforts to cut nutrients and curb harmful algal blooms. Overdose Prevention: Henry County marked the 4th annual Overdose Awareness Day with a remembrance ceremony, speakers, and a butterfly release, citing 26 overdose deaths in the past five years. Community Health Events: A Mobile Health Clinic is set to return to the library with free screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipids (fasting required for lipids). Local Health Coverage: A new round of Medicaid spending updates shows sharp local changes in categories like radiology, ambulance/transport, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and dental services across Ohio communities. Public Safety: Two Ohio residents were hospitalized after a Kansas Turnpike crash involving a lane change and a semi-truck.

Brain-Health Nutrition: Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Sandra Darling highlights the MIND diet—berries, leafy greens, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish/poultry—while urging limits on saturated fat, added sugar, and ultra-processed foods. New Cancer Drug in Ohio: The FDA approved Rasonque, a daily pill for metastatic pancreatic cancer, shown to extend survival with chemo; OSU’s Dr. Shafia Rahman calls the benefit “unprecedented,” though costs may push families toward insurance or assistance. Medicaid Spending Watch (Ohio): Dayton Temporary Codes jumped to $135,118 (+290%); Cincinnati orthotic procedures rose to $207,709 (+2%); and multiple local categories climbed sharply across 2024, from ambulance/transport in Worthington to pathology/lab services in Nelsonville and Monroe. Public Health & Safety: OSHP reports a Salem crash where a driver likely suffered a medical emergency before hitting a township garage; Fairfield Township also saw a fatal multi-car crash after officers responded to an unconscious-person call. Community Health Access: Ohio’s Medicaid work-requirement concerns and broader coverage risks for low-income adults continue to surface in national reporting.

Medicaid spending watch (Ohio communities): New federal Medicaid billing data show sharp local swings in 2024—Vandalia’s durable medical equipment claims rose 63.1%, Elyria’s administrative/misc/investigational spending jumped 213.5%, and multiple areas saw big increases in surgery, transport, and “temporary codes.” Examples include Malta’s surgery payments up 108.8%, Highland Hills ambulance/transport up 137.1%, Plain City “national codes” up 289.9%, and Cleveland Heights “temporary national codes” up 1,863.4%. Cancer support ride: South Lebanon resident Chris Brown joined an 85-mile cycling push with a corporate team to back cancer research, tied to family losses. Public health & vaccines debate: A measles/vaccination exchange on Bill Maher’s show featured Byron Donalds pushing back on claims about outbreaks and vaccine schedules. Local safety & health notes: OSHP reported a serious crash into the East Fork Little Miami River with a man airlifted to UC Hospital; separate reports covered a fatal Tuscarawas County motorcycle crash and a Putnam County crash sending a woman to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s. Community & wellness moments: Fans gathered for tributes as the Tupac Shakur murder trial nears its end, while Cincinnati-area concertgoers watched Tim McGraw recover after a fall onstage.

Hospital Safety Alert: FDA-linked recalls are hitting 0.9% sodium chloride IV bags, with B. Braun and Baxter pulling specific lots after particulate concerns—an issue that can lead to serious complications for patients. Public Health & Food Safety: Whole Foods guacamole was upgraded to the FDA’s highest-risk recall level over possible salmonella contamination, sold in multiple states including Ohio. Local Health Access: Lake Local Schools is pushing a Nov. 3 earned income tax to stabilize funding, arguing state support has fallen and could affect services. Community Care: Celina residents rallied around injured quarterback Parker Wynk after a severe neck injury left him with a spinal cord injury, with ongoing recovery in Columbus. Brain Health: An Ohio State neurologist says the best brain stimulation is ongoing—especially socialization—aimed at building “brain reserve” earlier in life. Infectious Disease Watch: Measles updates continue in Ohio, including newly reported cases and potential exposure concerns. Health Tech & Care at Home: Viemed Healthcare highlighted growth plans tied to home ventilation for complex respiratory conditions. Health-Related Policy: Ohio’s Medicaid work rules are flagged as a risk to coverage for many adults.

Public Health & Vaccines: Wayne County measles cases climbed to 7 confirmed with 27 more suspected, with officials warning of spread as kids return to school and highlighting lower local vaccination rates. Healthcare Access: NEOMED is mobilizing students and global health partners to support Nepal flood recovery, focusing on urgent care and rebuilding health and water infrastructure. Medication Safety: Baxter issued multiple nationwide IV solution recalls over possible fiberglass or stainless-steel particle contamination, reaching providers and some homecare use. Community Wellness: A new Wellston clinic, Humbled Roots Family Healthcare, opened to expand local access to care. Animal Health Careers: Delta FFA students took part in “Vet for a Day” at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, getting hands-on livestock care experience and exploring veterinary programs. Local Health Systems: Northeast Ohio hospitals are testing AI to improve care and cut costs. Infectious Disease Watch: Cyclospora outbreak updates continued as lettuce-linked cases rose across multiple states, with Ohio included in the broader tracking.

Prescription costs & consumer rights: A Kroger class action in Ohio seeks a $17M settlement over claims it inflated insured prescription copays by not treating its lower Rx Savings Club prices as the “usual and customary” price. Food safety: The FDA upgraded the Taylor Farms de Mexico cyclospora-linked lettuce recall to its highest risk level, as the outbreak now spans 20 states with thousands of illnesses and hundreds hospitalized. Public health & prevention: OhioHealth’s O’Bleness Hospital renovated five behavioral health crisis rooms with ligature-resistant features and better monitoring, funded by a $177K ARPA grant. Mosquito-borne disease watch: West Nile virus was detected in Morgan County mosquitoes, prompting regional prevention warnings. Health access in the community: Cleveland launched a Pilot E-Bike Rebate Program to make biking more affordable and support healthier transportation. Local health education: Columbiana County will host a session on interpreting potable water lab results. Workforce & coverage pressure: New Medicaid work rules could put nearly 20% of eligible adults in expansion states at risk of losing coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027. Medical supply safety: Baxter recalled certain IV saline and other solutions over possible fiberglass/stainless steel contamination distributed to Ohio and 13 other states.

Food Safety: A major cyclospora outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce has now spread to 20 states, with 11,458 reported cases and 495 hospitalizations; Ohio is on the affected list as FDA/CDC continue tracing Taylor Farms-linked supply chains. Public Health & Harm Reduction: OhioCAN marked International Overdose Awareness Day with Narcan training and distribution, plus screenings and testing, emphasizing that overdose deaths are preventable. Healthcare Safety: Baxter recalled multiple injectable drugs after FDA flagged possible fiberglass or stainless-steel contamination, warning of serious risks like clots and organ injury. Medical Innovation: University of Toledo Medical Center is using an incision-free histotripsy device to destroy certain tumors from outside the body, with same-day discharge for eligible patients. Opioid Prescribing Scrutiny: A pain specialist accused by the DEA of illegal opioid prescribing to athletes had her controlled-substance authority revoked, following allegations of a covert scheme across more than 20 states. Local Wellness & Community: Valvoline Global Operations plans to move its global headquarters to downtown Cincinnati, while Ohio’s AFFF firefighting foam takeback program expands to safely destroy PFAS foam. Ohio Health Policy: Ohio reports more kindergarteners skipping vaccines via nonmedical exemptions, with personal objections also rising. Cancer Treatment: FDA approved Rasonque, a once-daily oral pill for advanced pancreatic cancer patients with RAS mutations.

Public Health & Safety: Ohio’s cyclosporiasis outbreak is still easing, with the Ohio Department of Health reporting 189 new cases in the last week (down 55%), bringing the 2026 total to 6,063 across 84 counties. Medication Safety: Baxter International recalled multiple injectable products, including 70% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride, over potential fiberglass or metal contamination that could cause blockages or tissue injury. Maternal & Child Health: A Cleveland mother pleaded guilty to starving her 2-year-old son and severely neglecting two other children, with sentencing set for Sept. 30. Community Wellness: Washington County Harvest of Hope in Marietta named Shannon Boone its new executive director to keep its food-rescue and redistribution operation running for food-insecure residents. Access to Care: LetsGetChecked powered by Fuze Health expanded at-home HPV screening with the Onclarity HPV Self-Collection Kit. Addiction Recovery: Ohio AG Andy Wilson announced grants supporting overdose-survivor outreach and treatment connections through local DART programs. Digital Health & Youth Safety: Ohio is among states involved in a landmark $17.1B Meta settlement requiring new child-safety protections on Instagram and Facebook.

Ohio Health & Policy: Ohio’s new school cell phone ban kicks in for the 2026-27 school year, limiting student use from start to finish of the instructional day (with exceptions for medical needs, IEP/504 accommodations, and emergencies), while districts decide storage and consequences. Public Health Research: A new Ohio State study found tomato-soy juice lowered pro-inflammatory blood markers in healthy adults with obesity after four weeks, pointing to possible functional-food inflammation benefits. Cancer & Care: Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center board chair Les Wexner stepped down amid ongoing scrutiny tied to Jeffrey Epstein lawsuits, though he remains on the board as chair emeritus. Opioid Safety: A look at Narcan’s rise from tightly controlled antidote to over-the-counter harm-reduction tool highlights how it can reverse overdoses fast—without treating addiction itself. Community Health: Ohio State launched a “We Give Blood” blood donation drive with help from former Buckeye Archie Griffin, aiming to win a $1M grant for student/community wellness programs. Foodborne Outbreak Watch: CDC reports cyclospora cases have surpassed 17,000 nationwide, with two deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations.

Child Safety & Health Policy: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a multistate settlement over alleged teen social media addiction harms, with sweeping changes for Instagram and Facebook (including stronger protections for kids and teens), court approval pending. Public Health Alert: Pennsylvania reported two measles deaths as cases surge nationwide; the CDC says 2026 totals have climbed sharply, with vaccination gaps a key concern. Ohio Health Access: Ohio State University Extension is offering a free “Take Charge of Your Diabetes During the Holidays” program Nov. 5 at Coshocton Regional Medical Center, pairing cooking tips with dietitian guidance for people with diabetes or prediabetes. Overdose Prevention: Geauga County’s “Every Life Matters: Prevention, Recovery and Hope” event Aug. 31 will share resources on medication misuse, overdose prevention, and recovery. Rural Care Innovation: OnMed CareStation is gaining traction as a “clinic-in-a-box” model tied to the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to expand access with remote clinicians and diagnostic tools. Cybersecurity & Healthcare Risk: The FBI and DOJ shut down China-linked hacking tools used against U.S. agencies and networks tied to hospitals and health systems. Local Mobility for Wellness: Metro Now on-demand transit expands in Greater Cincinnati, adding Bond Hill/Roselawn coverage Aug. 30 to help residents reach essentials like grocery stores.

Safe Routes & Bike/Ped Safety: Gov. DeWine and ODOT announced nearly $9M for Safe Routes to School projects and $21M for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure through the Transportation Alternatives Program, aiming to make walking and biking safer for kids and families. Storm Scam Warning: Ohio Department of Aging cautioned residents—especially older adults—about post-storm home repair scams, including pressure tactics and demands for insurance checks. Opioid Recovery Support: Ohio AG’s Office awarded more than $200K to local Drug Abuse Response Team outreach efforts to connect overdose survivors and families with treatment and recovery services. Fresh Food Access: Toledo is launching a pop-up produce market at the Swayne Field redevelopment site to expand affordable, healthy food options with weekly fall hours. Health & Care Expansion: Lutheran Social Services of Northwestern Ohio broke ground on a $3.2M expansion adding mental health counseling space and a more accessible food pantry, targeting completion in spring 2027. Driver’s Ed Update: A new Ohio law is driving nearly 30,000 more young drivers to take driver’s education this year, with schools stepping up course capacity.

Opioid Recovery Funding (Ohio): Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson awarded more than $2.5M through the Drug Abuse Response Team (DART) grants to help overdose survivors connect to treatment and recovery, including $84,015 to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and other Mahoning Valley recipients. Statewide Support Access (Ohio): Ohio 211 expanded to serve all 88 counties as a free, 24/7 referral line, with housing listed as the biggest unmet need. Measles Watch (Trumbull County): After a third confirmed measles case, Trumbull schools are stepping up cleaning, symptom checks, and vaccination outreach. Child Safety Sweep (Florida, with Ohio links): Florida’s Operation Statewide Shield recovered 163 missing children and made arrests; investigators say some were found across the U.S., including Ohio. Community Hospice Update (Southern Ohio): Ashland Community Hospice rebranded as Community Horizon Health to better match evolving hospice and palliative needs. Health Costs Snapshot (Maternal Care): A new cost comparison ranks Louisiana among the cheapest states for childbirth, highlighting how insurance and network status can swing out-of-pocket totals. Public Health & Safety Note: A man died after a shooting in Mt. Healthy; police say no arrests yet.

Whole-Health Care Push in Ohio: A new push for a more connected, whole-health healthcare experience argues Ohio patients shouldn’t have to stitch together primary care, prescriptions, specialists, and behavioral health on their own. Opioid Risk in Ohio: OSU-linked research finds illicit fentanyl use is more than double medical use nationwide, with nonfatal overdose risk up to three times higher for illicit users—and Ohio topping the states for illicit fentanyl use. Food Safety Watch: Federal updates highlight ongoing foodborne illness concerns, including a multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños sold through major restaurant chains, with Ohio among affected states. Hospital-Acquired Threat: Public health officials warn Candida auris cases are rising in Ohio, especially among patients in hospitals and nursing homes. Access to Food & Care: Dayton leaders urge Ohio and federal officials to limit SNAP and Medicaid disruptions tied to new federal work requirements. Community Health Alerts: West Nile Virus is detected in an Englewood mosquito pool, prompting planned mosquito fogging. Local Health & Safety: Mold delays the start of the school year at a Warren County Catholic school.

Local Health & Safety: A 6-year-old was flown to Akron Children’s Hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Ashland County; officials say injuries are serious but not life-threatening. Public Health Watch: Ohio Valley and state health updates show measles is rising in parts of Ohio while cyclosporiasis is easing in northwest Ohio, with local clinics ramping up MMR coverage to protect kids as school starts. Foodborne Illness: Missouri reported more than 2,000 cyclosporiasis cases, while a new federal lawsuit targets Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over alleged Cyclospora-tainted lettuce. Healthcare Access & Workforce: Community Action of Southern Indiana (CASI) is transitioning programs to Ohio Valley Opportunities (OVO) to avoid service interruptions, including Head Start and housing-related support. Hospice Leadership: Midland Care named Dr. Scott Paxton as its Hospice and Palliative Care Medical Director. Health Tech: VA completed additional go-lives of a new electronic health record system in Indiana, expanding access for thousands of veterans and staff. Wellness & Prevention: A new study highlights how preschool play supports early learning, and doctors warn HPV vaccination gains are being offset by rising HPV-related throat and mouth cancers in men.