AGP Executive Report

Measles Watch: Indiana health officials confirmed 24 measles cases and warn the virus could keep spreading as cold/flu season ramps up, with clinicians urging vigilance even where no cases are yet reported. Drug Pricing Accountability: Indiana is in the orbit of a major, multi-state push for court approval of a $400 million Sandoz settlement tied to alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition. PFAS Legal Fight: A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, including Indiana’s AG, sued DuPont’s successors over claims they’re trying to dodge PFAS “forever chemical” cleanup liabilities by shifting assets into a new entity. Local Health Access: In Shelbyville, a READI-funded CommunityLink nonprofit center is opening to consolidate services and make community resources easier to navigate. Breast Cancer Care: Indiana Regional Medical Center highlighted growth in its breast cancer and women’s health programs, including new leadership and clinic support. Community Safety & Support: The Indiana Latino Expo Resource Fair returns this weekend with expanded legal/medical resources and added security after last year’s cancellation.

Substance Use Treatment Expansion: Granite Ridge Recovery Center in St. Cloud, backed by Nelson Development and Ascension Recovery Services, is opening after an $8 million renovation with 48 inpatient beds plus outpatient and counseling services, aiming for about a 28-day average stay. Drug Pricing Relief: Michigan AG Dana Nessel is urging consumers to check eligibility and file claims tied to multistate generic drug price settlements after preliminary court approval, with millions targeted for people harmed by inflated generic costs. Indiana Autism Care Risk: A new concern for Indiana families: Medicaid coverage for autism therapy, including ABA, is under threat, with nearly 40,000 Hoosier children relying on Medicaid for autism care. Workforce Training Update: Ivy Tech in Indiana is set to begin using Workforce Pell for an eight-week clinical medical assistant program, marking a major shift in how short-term training can be funded. Public Health Access: A new collaboration is bringing health resource fairs and naloxone training to community sites, offering free screenings, vaccines, and overdose reversal education. PFAS Health Concern: Indiana University researchers highlight that “forever chemicals” may enter the body through skin exposure, not just food and water. Healthcare Workforce Pipeline: RadNet and WIN-NextGen are partnering to introduce middle and high school students to medical imaging careers through mentorship, digital learning, and shadowing. Care Costs & Coverage: Elevance is cracking down on hospital billing for some off-campus clinic care, a move that could reduce facility fees.

Homelessness Response: Indiana’s Streets to Stability initiative is expanding a “direct to housing” approach in Bloomington, pairing rental help and case management with a short, focused encampment outreach model. Public Health Alert: Fort Wayne Zoo visitors may have been exposed to measles; Allen County health officials urge people there Sunday (11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.) to check MMR status and watch for symptoms for 21 days. Opioid Safety: UVA Health warns that “orphines,” a new class of synthetic opioids, may evade common fentanyl tests and can lead to fatal overdoses. Coverage & Costs: The Trump administration began mailing $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, tied to claims of federal exchange user-fee overcharges. Local Wellness & Fitness: A new co-working and wellness center opens in southern Indiana with saunas, cold plunges and red-light therapy, while Indiana’s School Fitness Month draws thousands of students statewide. Healthcare Tech: Trimedx was named a Visionary Leader in healthcare infrastructure cybersecurity by Frost & Sullivan.

Mental Health Care in ER: A JAMA Internal Medicine trial led by IU Health researchers found peer-supported online CBT for low-risk chest pain patients with anxiety significantly reduced anxiety, especially for those with severe symptoms. Alzheimer’s Research Funding: Cure Alzheimer’s Fund awarded $6.4 million to Cardinal Family Scholars to advance Alzheimer’s research. Community Brain Health & Dementia Support: Indiana memory-care advocate Sarah Collins highlighted her work supporting families navigating cognitive decline. Fitness Expansion in Indiana: PVOLVE announced new studio openings, including in Granger, Indiana, as the functional-fitness brand grows. Public Health Access: Meridian Health Services will host Flu-Lapalooza, a free flu shot clinic across Indiana on Oct. 8. Nutrition Policy Watch: Indiana retailers have seen no SNAP fines tied to the state’s ban on candy and soda purchases, while federal enforcement continues for other violations. Local Animal Health: Fort Wayne Zoo lioness Ina is being treated for chronic kidney disease with ongoing monitoring and weekly fluids.

WNBA Playoffs: Caitlin Clark posted 27 points and 15 assists to help the Indiana Fever beat the defending champion Las Vegas Aces 99-89 and even the series 1-1; Game 3 is Thursday in Las Vegas. Public Health: The Franklin County Health Department warned of rising measles activity in Indiana and a surge in rabies testing that’s straining lab capacity. Safety & Health Access: St. Joseph County hosted free car seat safety checks in South Bend, reminding families that Indiana requires children to use a safety seat until age 8. Regulation: Indiana will begin overseeing radioactive materials under a new federal agreement, aiming to speed permits and incident response. Community Food Security: “Meals with Muffet” and a drive-thru pop-up pantry in St. Joseph County served hundreds as local food insecurity demand rises. Local Health & Wellness: Fort Wayne Zoo says lioness Ina is receiving specialized care for chronic kidney disease as it progresses.

Cancer Care Expansion: UChicago Medicine and the AbbVie Foundation marked the end of construction on a new AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion, a 575,000-square-foot facility dedicated to cancer research and treatment, with an April opening planned. Public Health Alert: Federal officials warned consumers not to eat recalled Sierra Nevada Graziers raw milk cheeses after an E. coli O26:H11 outbreak sickened 13 people and hospitalized eight, including cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Medication Pricing: Indiana Attorney General Alan Wilson urged consumers to file claims tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price inflation. Maternal Health Tech: A wearable monitor called the Oli is being tested at Woman’s Hospital to help detect severe postpartum hemorrhage risk earlier using AI. Community & Safety: Richmond is weighing next steps after a federal jury found the city partially responsible for a 2023 plastics fire, and Indianapolis police reported a fatal double shooting late Monday. Local Wellness/Health Access: Senior Care Authority opened a new franchise location serving Southern Indiana and the Greater Louisville area, expanding local guidance for aging and senior living decisions.

Sports Medicine Spotlight: Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton says he’s “100%” and returning from his Achilles tear with “no restrictions,” setting the tone for Indiana’s 2026-27 training camp. Clinical Training in Indiana: An IU medical student completed a month-long surgical rotation at Horizon Health, observing procedures from bariatric surgery to colonoscopies and hernia repairs. Respiratory Health: Indiana coverage reminds residents that post-viral coughs can linger for weeks, but a cough lasting a month or warning signs like fever, bloody cough, chest pain, or confusion should trigger medical evaluation. Youth Mental Health & Schools: Northwest Allen County Schools is joining a lawsuit against major social media platforms, citing concerns about impacts on students’ mental health. Community Health Access: A free Health & Wellness Fair is planned in New Albany, and a Lowell Public Library calendar highlights ongoing tech help and senior programs. Public Safety & Recovery: Hancock County officials emphasize addiction recovery support during National Recovery Month, while a Safe Haven Baby Box in Racine (Indiana-linked organization) is used again.

Indiana Health & Wellness Spotlight: A young Indiana mom is sharing her family’s journey after learning her baby would be born with Down syndrome, highlighting how early diagnosis can reshape expectations and support needs. Public Health & Safety: Indiana’s measles risk stays in focus as Pennsylvania’s outbreak climbs to 890 cases, with Indiana also reporting measles cases in recent coverage—vaccination remains the key prevention message. Health Policy & Coverage: CMS and the SBA rebranded ICHRAs as “CHOICE Arrangements,” spotlighting Indiana’s small-business tax credit model that aims to lower benefit costs while giving employees more coverage choice. Community & Care Access: Indiana’s Purdue Fort Wayne dean says a music therapy clinic was added to Indiana’s Medicaid provider choice list, expanding insurance-billed access for local patients. Research & Treatment: New diabetes medication analysis tied orforglipron to similar weight loss across women at different menopausal stages, with results set for presentation at EASD. Health Systems & Infrastructure: Indiana received $175M in federal funding to upgrade a key electricity “choke point,” aiming to reduce grid congestion and potentially lower costs for ratepayers.

Workforce & Training: IU Health’s Mosaic Center will add monthly in-person orientation sessions to connect Indianapolis residents to healthcare career resources, including Oct. 5, Oct. 15, Nov. 2, Nov. 19, Dec. 7 and Dec. 17. Public Health Research: Indiana University researchers report infant gut microbes and diet-related metabolites may help explain childhood asthma risk, linking early biology to later disease. Lifestyle & Liver Health: A study led by Indiana University School of Medicine finds regular exercise is associated with lower alcohol-related liver damage and reduced liver-disease death risk among heavy drinkers. Food Safety: Nearly 1.7 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar sold in Indiana and seven other states are recalled due to possible undeclared wheat kernels; people with wheat allergies should not consume affected batches. Community Wellness: Franciscan Health and Cedar Lake Parks are launching a fall weekly Wellness Walking Club with health education and light movement activities. Clinical Story (Indiana): Parents in Hammond share their son’s sickle cell journey, highlighting stigma and the day-to-day realities of living with the disease.

Surrogacy Spotlight: The Guardian profiles U.S. surrogates on what it’s like to be part of a fast-growing, highly public surrogacy debate, including how agencies screen surrogates and structure contracts. Indiana School Safety Funding: Hancock County districts received more than $300,000 from Indiana’s Secured School Safety Grant Program, but leaders say this year’s amounts are down or flat compared with prior rounds, even as the state has invested over $240M since 2013. Medicaid Work Requirements Pressure: As Medicaid work rules kick in, some states are tightening enforcement and others are pausing waiver denials amid concerns about people who may be too frail to work yet can’t afford to prove it. Data Privacy Accountability: Indiana is among states affected by a multistate Labcorp settlement tied to a 2019 data breach involving a debt-collector vendor, with AGs citing the need for stronger vendor oversight. Measles Watch in Indiana: Health officials continue urging vaccination after documented measles cases in Indiana counties, emphasizing protection for unvaccinated residents. WNBA Playoffs—Fever vs. Aces: Indiana Fever open the first round Sunday against the Las Vegas Aces, with A’ja Wilson addressing lingering health concerns and Tyasha Harris ruled out after an injury.

Diabetes & Weight-Loss Drug Update: New post-hoc results presented at EASD say daily oral orforglipron was linked to similar weight reductions in women across menopausal stages, adding to the growing evidence base for GLP-1-style obesity treatment. Food Safety: FDA announced a recall of nearly 1.7 million pounds of light brown and powdered sugar sold in eight states, including Indiana, due to possible wheat kernel contamination; affected batches include Target’s Good & Gather items—check batch numbers and return for a refund or dispose. Healthcare Access in Indiana: Union Health’s acquisition of Terre Haute Regional Hospital cleared Indiana’s Certificate of Public Advantage process, a move framed as protecting local jobs and keeping south Terre Haute care options from shrinking. Public Health & Housing: U.S. Sen. Todd Young and Sen. Michael Bennet reintroduced the Eviction Crisis Act of 2026 to expand emergency rental assistance and prevent avoidable evictions that can destabilize families. Research Funding: A University of Cincinnati hematology researcher received major grants to study bone damage complications in sickle cell disease, including inflammation-driven problems and chronic pain treatments.

Medicaid Work Rules: As Medicaid work requirements begin in January, some Republican-led states are demanding faster proof of “medical frailty,” while advocates warn it could block new applicants from care and trigger lawsuits over overly strict implementation. Public Health—Measles: Indiana health officials are urging vaccinations after documented measles activity, including a first confirmed case in Allen County and additional local alerts. Opioid Alert: A Nashville forensic lab says it has detected a new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, in 18 states, linking it to dozens of deaths in East Tennessee and raising new concerns for Indiana. Healthcare Data Breach Settlements: Indiana’s attorneys general activity continues with multistate Labcorp-related settlements tied to patient data breaches, underscoring ongoing scrutiny of healthcare data handling. GLP-1 Side Effects & Care: Local coverage highlights “Ozempic face” concerns after rapid weight loss on GLP-1 drugs, with clinicians pointing to options for addressing volume loss and sagging skin. Food Safety: The FDA announced a recall of nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar products distributed in Indiana due to possible wheat allergen contamination. Rural Health Funding: Gov. Braun awarded grants aimed at strengthening rural healthcare capacity in South-Central Indiana.

Measles Watch (Allen County): Allen County health officials confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated minor and urged residents to get MMR shots, noting lower local full-vaccine rates for ages 3–19 and warning outbreaks can spread more widely. Federal Funding (Energy Reliability): Indiana won $175M to relieve a regional electricity “choke point” between grid operators, aiming to cut congestion and save ratepayers money. Patient Data & Enforcement (Labcorp): Indiana and other states moved forward on a multistate $2.3M settlement tied to a Labcorp patient data breach, with stronger vendor oversight required. Medicaid Policy (Work Requirements): Medicaid patients and medical groups sued over new work requirement rules, as states face uncertainty about readiness and implementation. Community Health & Access (Vaccines/Well-being): Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences received an Aetna workplace well-being award, highlighting employee wellness programming. Local Health & Safety (School Health): Indiana’s “bell-to-bell” phone-off rule is expanding, with medical exceptions noted for students. Public Safety/Health Tech (DNA Case): Indianapolis police say DNA evidence helped charge a suspect in a 2017 home invasion and rape case.

Public Safety: IMPD says a man is in critical condition after a shooting on Indianapolis’ near east side; officers responded to the 4800 block of East Washington Street and detained a person as the investigation continues. Health & Nutrition Research: A major analysis links higher intake of ultra-processed foods with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes/metabolic syndrome, and death. Public Health Watch: Federal health advisers backed a blood test meant to detect signals tied to more than 50 cancers, though experts warn about limits like false results. Substance Safety: Health officials are urging caution around kratom amid investigations into separate student deaths at the University of Mississippi. Community Health: United Way highlights the Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy (CARA), expanding adult education into skills training and future courses including community healthcare and digital literacy. Maternal/Infant Care: Owensboro Health held a NICU reunion bringing hundreds of former NICU patients and families back to reconnect with the care team. Policy & Care Access: A report on reproductive surveillance at an NYU Law event ties abortion criminalization to increased monitoring and fear among clinicians. Sports Medicine (Local): Pacers say forward Johnny Furphy is recovering as expected from a torn ACL and could return around midseason.

Measles Alert in Indiana: Allen County health officials confirmed the state’s first measles case of 2026—an unvaccinated minor in stable condition—urging Hoosiers to check vaccination status and keep sick people home. Medicare Enrollment Help: Medicare Agents Helpline rolled out new consumer guides to help seniors vet Medicare agents before enrolling, including questions to ask about licensing and plan comparisons. Data Privacy Fallout: Indiana’s AG coalition announced a $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp tied to a patient data breach involving a medical debt collector vendor, with added requirements for vendor management. Power Grid Funding: Indiana won $175M in federal support to relieve a regional electricity “choke point,” aiming to unlock more transfer capacity and reduce congestion costs. Local Health Access: Southern Indiana received nearly $2.5M to expand low-cost, door-to-door transportation in Clark and Floyd counties—meant to improve access to healthcare and jobs. Public Health Watch: Federal regulators and state boards increased scrutiny of RUO peptides, signaling tighter enforcement around peptide sales.

Child Health: Indiana’s health commissioner reports injury remains the leading cause of death for kids, with external injuries killing 1,629 Indiana children from 2021-2025 and firearms the top cause for ages 1-17 in 2023-2025. Measles Watch: Local health officials are urging vaccination after measles cases were reported in Adams County and other northeast Indiana counties. Pediatric Care Planning: Norton Healthcare is holding a listening session on a planned pediatric campus that’s expected to serve Hoosier families. Disability Services Gap: Indiana FSSA is seeking a provider for a new short-term residential facility for intellectually disabled adults needing around-the-clock supervision, aiming to fill capacity after a 2024 closure. Medicare & Devices: A brace supplier agreed to pay $825,000 to settle Medicare allegations tied to medically unnecessary or improperly prescribed knee and back braces. FDA Review Tech: Researchers including Indiana University developed an AI model to sort FDA 510(k) device submissions based on prior recall history, aiming to reduce review workload while improving recall outcomes.