AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Work Requirements: Indiana FSSA says hospitals and other providers may not be ready for Medicaid work rules starting in January, with a three-month lookback beginning in October and concerns that paperwork and outreach gaps could cut coverage for hundreds of thousands. Flu Vaccine Guidance: Indiana health experts urge flu shots by mid-October, highlighting new mRNA options for adults 50–64, special dosing for kids 6 months–8 years, and safety notes for pregnant patients. Primary Care Expansion: Deaconess Memorial Medical Center in Jasper is adding Dr. Martha Yearsley’s family medicine practice to its Deaconess Clinic network, with additional providers joining to strengthen local access. Breast Cancer Fundraising: The Vera Bradley Foundation Classic raised about $1.34 million for IU School of Medicine breast cancer research. Menstrual Product Tax Fight: Advocates are pushing Indiana lawmakers to eliminate the 7% sales tax on period products, calling it a healthcare and equity issue. Food Safety Recall: Save A Lot shoppers are urged to check recalled J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon and Cheddar Potato Chips due to undeclared soy allergen in five states including Indiana. Care Access & Coverage Info: Horizon Health will host free Medicare information sessions in Terre Haute and two Illinois communities ahead of the 2027 Open Enrollment period.

School Safety & Student Tech: Indiana’s “bell-to-bell” K-12 cellphone ban is now easier to enforce, with teachers saying the state law backing makes confiscations and discipline more consistent. Public Health: Indiana confirmed West Nile-positive mosquitoes in Gibson County and urged residents to cut outdoor time at dusk/dawn, use approved repellents, and remove standing water. Health Equity & Access: A national report highlights how insurers often deny treatment for rare cancers, leaving patients and families to fight for coverage when there are no clear guidelines. Community Health & Housing Stability: Indiana received federal approval to replace SNAP benefits for residents in disaster-affected counties, with added emergency housing vouchers extended to help displaced Hoosiers recover. Local Health & Safety: A Bedford woman faces felony forgery charges after allegedly submitting a forged hospital note to excuse missed probation visits. Caregiving & Risk: An Evansville-area case alleges a mother was “passed out drunk” when her 3-year-old drowned in a backyard pool, underscoring the stakes of supervision around water.

Public Safety: Indiana authorities issued a statewide Silver Alert for 54-year-old Lisa Bedel, last seen near a motorcycle club in Jennings County; officials say she’s in “extreme danger” and may need medical help. Violence & Care Access: South Bend police are investigating a shooting near Notre Dame Stadium that injured two people, including an officer; both gunshot injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Sports & Health: Indiana women’s soccer hit another offensive wall, falling 2-0 to No. 14 Wisconsin after an early goal and limited scoring chances. Community Health Awareness: Indiana’s IU Save a Life Day highlights opioid overdose awareness, tying prevention messaging to local action. Local Health Context: A boil water advisory was issued by Bloomington utilities for Monroe County residents, urging precautions while water is tested. Statewide Wellness Spotlight: Indiana’s Heart Walk returns to White River State Park for its 35th year, supporting cardiovascular health efforts.

Workforce & Training: A Meta-backed “America’s Workforce Academy” is expanding skilled-trades training for data-center and infrastructure jobs, with fiber technician training already launched in Indianapolis and Columbus and new general construction training planned in Houston. Public Health Alerts: Bloomington’s City Utilities issued a precautionary boil-water advisory for Monroe County after turbidity rose above drinking-water standards, tied to storm-related power outages. Medication Safety: The FDA reports a nationwide recall of chlorthalidone (a high-blood-pressure “water pill”) from India-based Inventia Healthcare due to failed dissolution testing. Mental Health Support: Decatur County is holding a candlelight vigil Sept. 30 with local suicide-prevention partners. Local Health Story: An Indiana Township native released a memoir about a six-year health journey that led to an early menopause diagnosis. Community Care: The Caitlin Clark Foundation announced a $50,000 gift to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis to support Child Life Services. Healthcare Workforce: Power Up Indiana backs health care career training. Sports & Safety: Notre Dame’s campus saw a shooting near Eddy Street Commons during a game, injuring a woman and a police officer; authorities said the suspect fled.

Workforce & Training: Gov. Mike Braun’s Power Up Indiana is funding employer-led pathways into higher-paying health care jobs, with Deaconess Health System expanding Step Up for credentials in nursing, imaging, lab and more, and DaMar Staffing Solutions training for roles like community health workers and patient services. Mental Health: Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson’s “Kicking the Stigma” event in Indianapolis highlighted how the initiative—launched in 2020—supports Indiana mental health organizations and research, with millions awarded through action grants. Heart Health in Indiana: The American Heart Association’s 35th Indianapolis Heart Walk returned to White River State Park, featuring screenings, Hands-Only CPR and raising a reported record $450,000. Food Insecurity: A new documentary, “Working Hungry,” spotlights how college student hunger is averaging around 41%, outpacing the broader U.S. rate. Public Health Policy & Tech: Connecticut moved to restrict insurers’ use of AI in health coverage decisions, aiming to prevent AI from being the sole basis for claim denials. Safety & Health Access: Indiana State Police reported a fatal early-morning crash at Gas City Park that killed a juvenile and injured four others.

Pharma Transparency Fight: Public Citizen says FOIA-obtained “most-favored nation” drug-pricing deals are so heavily redacted they’re hard to judge, and it alleges loopholes could protect pharma profits while raising costs for patients and Medicaid. Data Centers & Public Health: A Marion-area town hall drew 115 residents to question whether data centers and AI are ever “a good idea,” with advocates and residents pressing for health impacts and community tradeoffs. SNAP Relief for Storm Victims: Indiana FSSA will automatically replace SNAP benefits for households in 19 counties after Aug. 11 power outages spoiled food, with funds loaded to EBT cards around Sept. 26. Food Safety Alert: Saratoga Potato Chips recalled J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar chips sold at Save A Lot in Indiana and several states due to an undeclared soy allergen; no illnesses reported. Local Health Coverage: The Crawfordsville/Montgomery County Chamber is rolling out ChamberCare and hosting an Oct. 7 event to help small businesses find health coverage options. Maternal Health Review: Indiana’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2026.

Maternal Health Oversight: Indiana’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee will meet Sept. 23 (9 a.m.-2 p.m.) at IDOH in Indianapolis, with case reviews after the public portion in a closed session to protect privacy. Cancer Care Update: The FDA granted full approval to Eli Lilly’s Inluriyo (imlunestrant) plus Verzenio (abemaciclib) for adults with ER+, HER2–, ESR1-mutated advanced or metastatic breast cancer after progression on endocrine therapy. Public Health & Safety: A federal judge halted a major logging, burning and herbicide plan in the Hoosier National Forest tied to Bloomington’s drinking water, ordering Forest Service staff to stop clearcutting, logging, burning and herbicide across the affected land. Food Assistance After Storms: Indiana will issue additional SNAP benefit replacements in 19 counties, including Madison, for Aug. 11 power outage food loss. Community Health Needs: Monroe County’s homelessness count rose 22% in the 2026 Point-in-Time report, with 373 people counted and 49 unsheltered. Measles Watch: Health officials report measles cases rising in Indiana counties, with 15 cases confirmed across three counties. Healthcare Workforce/Innovation: Rose-Hulman Ventures highlighted student work on medical-device prototyping, including an affordable syringe-gun concept for dispensing healing gel accurately.

Measles Watch: Indiana health officials report 13 cases in the state, including four in Switzerland County, as Kentucky confirms 50 cases—part of the nation’s largest outbreak since measles was declared eliminated in 2000; officials urge families to make sure kids are up to date on the MMR vaccine. Open Enrollment Update: For HealthCare.gov states, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 after a court blocked a shorter federal deadline; Dec. 15 still matters for coverage starting Jan. 1. Local Health Access: Indiana University Health will bring a Low-Dose CT mobile lung screening unit to Humphreys Park in Linton on Oct. 19 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), with eligibility based on smoking history and most insurance coverage. Drug Safety/Allergies: Saratoga Potato Chips voluntarily recalls specific lots of J. HIGGS Loaded Bacon & Cheddar due to undeclared soy allergen. Care Innovation: HOPE-Neuron opens a crowdfunding round to fund the first human ALS trial of a non-drug, device-enabled treatment that conditions a patient’s own blood.

SNAP Recovery for Storm Victims: Indiana will automatically replace up to $10M in SNAP benefits for households in 19 counties hit by Aug. 11 power outages, with funds loaded to EBT cards around Sept. 26 and no paperwork required. Emergency Assistance for Lake County: Gov. Mike Braun announced “one-stop shops” in Lake County to help residents navigate FEMA, SBA disaster loans, crisis counseling, temporary housing, public health resources, and document replacement. Mental Health & Community Safety: Bloomington City Council passed zoning changes aimed at housing affordability and introduced a ban on city use of automated license plate readers and related surveillance data shared with third parties. Flu Vaccines at Libraries: Allen County Public Library partners with Super Shot for free flu vaccine clinics at multiple branches, open to people 6 months and older with help available for uninsured residents. Public Health Recall Watch: FDA flagged a multi-state recall of Tex-Mex items, including jalapeño products, tied to potential Salmonella contamination. Healthcare Workforce & Access: Ball State received a grant to strengthen the rural health workforce in East Central Indiana. Local Health Leadership: Eskenazi Health CEO named to Forbes “50 Over 50,” highlighting leadership in Indiana healthcare.

Indiana Health Funding: Indiana is set to receive $120M to strengthen rural health care, a move aimed at shoring up access where services are stretched. Hospital Safety & Quality: A new study flags a widely used hospital antibiotic, cefepime, as linked to higher death risk than other drugs in its class—raising fresh questions for clinicians and hospitals. Health Tech & Standards: Regenstrief Institute partnered with West Coast Informatics to support LOINC development and delivery, including FHIR-based distribution. Biopharma Updates: Aquestive Therapeutics resubmitted an FDA application for Anaphylm (dibutepinephrine) sublingual film, citing new human factors and drug-use data. Local Health & Community: Franciscan Health is hosting flu and immunization clinics, and Marion Health will hold a free stuffed animal medical clinic for children. Policy & Costs: New research shows small and midsize employers are bracing for 2027 premium hikes, with many considering dropping traditional group coverage. Indiana Care Access: IU physician researcher Elliott Androphy is turning entrepreneur to fight HPV-related cancers.

HPV Drug Breakthrough in Indiana: IU scientist Dr. Elliot Androphy, who helped pioneer the HPV vaccine, is now pushing new medicines through his Indianapolis company, Kovina Therapeutics, aiming to treat HPV infections and related cancers. Healthy Indiana Plan Update: FSSA will hold an Oct. 1 town hall in Sellersburg to explain upcoming Healthy Indiana Plan eligibility requirements for Hoosiers. Hospital Access & Workforce: Ball State received a $358,170 rural health grant to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and expand chronic-disease access in East Central Indiana. Local Care for Kids: Marion Health is hosting a free “stuffed animal medical clinic” Sept. 19 for children 12 and under, with pretend checkups and healthy-habit stations. Public Health Policy in Court: A federal court dismissed an ACLU challenge to Indiana’s ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors, ending the case. Safety & Health in the News: Indiana State Police are investigating a deadly Winamac chase and officer-involved shooting; officials say the driver died after shots were fired. Food & Health Supply Chain: USDA announced a new Stand-Up Program to help more states launch meat inspection programs, supporting local processing and food safety.

Hospital Pricing Transparency: Indiana hospitals hit a major milestone, with 70% now fully complying with federal price transparency rules—up from 11% in 2024—according to PatientRightsAdvocate.org. Cybersecurity & Patient Safety: A growing phishing scam is targeting MyChart users with fake “medical results” and “Medicare kit” emails that can steal passwords and potentially install malware. Veterans Housing: The VA is awarding $38 million in grants to 19 Indiana organizations to reduce homelessness among Veterans, including rapid re-housing and supportive services. Disaster Recovery Access: Gov. Braun is adding one-stop shop locations in Fayette County for storm and flooding recovery, offering help with FEMA, SBA disaster loans, housing, crisis counseling, insurance guidance, and public health resources. Value-Based MSK Care Expansion: TailorCare says it’s extending clinically led MSK care navigation to reach about 1 million Medicare Advantage members across Indiana and other states. Community Health Networks: Being for Others is launching county-based Health & Wellness Networks in Southern Indiana to connect local leaders and service providers around shared priorities.

Rural Health Funding: Indiana is set to receive nearly $10 million in federal GROW grants for west-central Indiana rural healthcare initiatives, including expanding mobile integrated health and transportation/navigation to help people reach care. Mobile Care Expansion: Monticello’s fire department is restarting its Mobile Integrated Health program with an $880,000 grant over five years, plus a Project Sprout grant to support pregnant patients and early post-natal care. Public Health Alerts: A heat advisory is in effect for Barren County with heat index values up to 105 degrees, urging hydration, cooling, and extra checks on older adults and people with chronic conditions. Maternal Health Access: The Project Sprout grant in Monticello targets a key gap by providing nurse practitioner support for pregnant women in a county without a birthing center. Community Health & Wellness: North Webster’s town council approved a new employee health care plan and received a $5,000 chamber check to support its Patronicity crowdfunding project for park revitalization and public murals. Local Health Workforce: A new youth clinic is planned alongside USI baseball’s fall opener, offering free community programming after the game. Environmental Health Policy: EPA moves forward on approving Indiana’s coal ash permitting program that would shift permitting authority to the state, with officials saying safeguards remain in place.

Gender-Transition Care Legal Update: A federal court entered final judgment for Indiana, ending the ACLU’s challenge to Senate Enrolled Act 480, which bars gender-transition procedures for minors. GLP-1 Safety Watch: A new study links Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro/Zepbound to rare Wernicke encephalopathy cases tied to severe vitamin B1 deficiency, with researchers noting the findings don’t prove direct cause. Pediatric Care Spotlight: UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital earned national rankings in four pediatric specialties in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 list, ahead of a new cancer hospital opening in 2027. Community Health & Access: Community Health Network and Lifepoint broke ground on an Indy mental health center, aiming to expand local behavioral health capacity. Workplace/Compliance Tech: FacilityOS launched an AI Compliance Assistant to speed contractor onboarding by matching bulk compliance documents and reducing manual sorting. Public Health & Nutrition: Indiana’s hunger and nutrition program cuts are being blamed for worsening hardship for families, including new-baby households needing formula support. Health-Related Quality of Life: A new “skin stress” index ranks Orlando and Miami among the worst U.S. cities for skin stress, while Indiana readers may want to watch how heat and environment affect wellness.

Behavioral Health Expansion: Community Health Network and Lifepoint Behavioral Health broke ground on a new 120-bed behavioral health hospital on Indianapolis’ south side, aiming to expand access for people with complex mental health needs. Suicide Prevention Focus: A WISH-TV report says more than 1,000 Hoosiers die by suicide each year, with rates above the national average and rising over two decades; it highlights 988 and other crisis supports. Cancer Screening Coverage Update: Guardant Health says its Shield blood test for colorectal cancer screening will be covered by EviCore by Evernorth starting Jan. 1, 2027, citing expanded commercial adoption. Local Health Snapshot: An IU Health Bloomington assessment flags Owen County health challenges, including low access to primary care and higher injury death rates. Access to Care Event: Hometown Dental plans “Free Dental Friday” in Greencastle on Sept. 18 for adults 18+ with no insurance needed. Public Health & Safety: Indiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a Benton/Warren County pursuit; the driver was flown for treatment. Policy & Court Watch: Indiana Supreme Court arguments continue over whether “religious freedom” can override the state’s abortion ban.

Obstetrics Access: A new University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center report finds nearly half of U.S. hospitals no longer deliver babies, and the latest wave of obstetric closures is increasingly concentrated in cities—meaning metro families may still have to travel for maternity care. Maternal Health & Supplements: Consumer Reports testing of 17 prenatal vitamins found no safety red flags for contaminants, but label accuracy was poor—only two products met potency ranges for every nutrient tested, underscoring the need for stronger supplement standards. Cancer Imaging Breakthrough: The FDA approved Telix’s Pixclara (floretyrosine F 18) as the first FET-PET imaging drug for glioma, helping clinicians distinguish recurrent or progressive brain cancer from treatment-related changes. Diabetes & Mental Health: A study in PLOS Medicine found women newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes face higher rates of depression and anxiety than men, suggesting mental health screening should be part of diabetes care. Rural Health Funding: Hospital leaders say the GOP’s $50 billion rural health fund is falling short of expectations, shifting from filling Medicaid-related gaps toward smaller program-building goals. Health Policy Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Indiana, will receive $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds tied to federal exchange “user fees.” Workplace Safety Tech: VelocityEHS is highlighting AI- and data-driven safety tools at the NSC Safety Congress & Expo in Indianapolis. Public Safety (Local): Indiana State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a U.S. 41 pursuit in Warren County; a driver was taken to an Indianapolis-area hospital.