AGP Executive Report

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky’s reported cases are nearing 200 this year, with Bath County’s count rising from one to 11 as the outbreak spreads. Pharmacy Oversight: U.S. Rep. James Comer is investigating whether pharmacy benefit managers retaliated against independent pharmacies with audits; his inquiry includes pharmacies in Kentucky. Behavioral Health: Addiction Recovery Care plans to transition to the Unison Behavioral Healthcare name amid payroll problems and financial pressures, raising questions about continuity for people seeking addiction treatment. Food Insecurity: SNAP enrollment nationwide fell 13% over the past year after federal restrictions took effect; Louisville food-bank leaders say families are turning to food assistance as need persists. Care for Older Kentuckians: UK trustees approved a joint venture with Signature HealthCARE, committing $5 million as the university moves ahead with a skilled nursing facility in Lexington. Food Safety: Kentucky’s raw-milk industry faces scrutiny over limited oversight, while a Boyd County farm operator was arrested on animal-cruelty charges.

Behavioral Health: Addiction Recovery Care plans to rebrand as Unison Behavioral Healthcare over the next 90 days, amid payroll delays, financial strain and lawsuits. Measles: Kentucky’s outbreak is nearing 200 reported cases this year, as infections continue spreading across the state. Senior Care: UK trustees approved a joint venture with Signature HealthCARE to develop a 105-bed skilled nursing facility in Lexington; UK will contribute up to $5 million and hold a 60% stake. Pharmacy Oversight: U.S. Rep. James Comer is investigating whether major pharmacy benefit managers used audits to retaliate against independent pharmacies backing regulation efforts, including pharmacies in Kentucky. Food Safety: Eight people have been hospitalized in a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw-milk cheese, renewing attention to Kentucky’s lightly regulated raw-milk industry.

Skilled Nursing: UK trustees approved a joint venture with Signature HealthCARE for a 105-bed Lexington facility. UK will contribute up to $5 million and provide clinical leadership. Measles: Kentucky’s outbreak reached 197 cases Friday, mostly in Christian, Laurel and Trigg counties. Health officials urge vaccination and warn people can spread measles before symptoms appear. Environmental Health: UofL researchers updated residents near Calvert City’s chemical plants on a study measuring possible exposure to hazardous chemicals; the project has not yet established whether residents are being exposed. Food Safety: Eight people have been hospitalized in an E. coli outbreak linked to raw-milk cheese, as Kentucky reporting highlights gaps in oversight of the state’s raw-milk industry. Health Data: Kentucky disclosed a breach involving a Medicaid provider portal operated by a contractor; the scope was not detailed in the reports.

Measles: Kentucky’s outbreak has reached 197 reported cases this year, mostly in Christian, Laurel and Trigg counties. Health officials urge people who aren’t vaccinated to get the shot and call a doctor if they suspect infection. Environmental Health: UofL researchers updated residents on a study measuring possible exposure to chemicals near Calvert City plants; the project has not yet reported findings. Pharmacy Access: Rep. James Comer is seeking records from three major pharmacy benefit managers over allegations that independent pharmacies faced retaliatory audits after backing reform legislation. Food Safety: A multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk cheese has hospitalized eight people, with Kentucky among nine affected states. A separate report raises concerns about gaps in oversight of Kentucky’s raw-milk industry. Care and Recovery: UK plans a skilled nursing facility at its Hamburg campus through a joint venture with Signature HealthCARE. Lexington also proposed $3 million in grants for substance-use prevention, treatment and recovery programs. Kratom: A statewide ban on preparing, making and selling kratom products is set to take effect July 1, 2027, as a Kentucky resident describes becoming dependent after buying it at a gas station.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky’s cases are nearing 200 this year, up from 13 in 2025, as the outbreak spreads; Bath County has reported 11 cases. Food Safety: A nationwide recall of raw-milk cheese is tied to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 13 people across nine states, including Kentucky, and hospitalized eight. In Kentucky, herd-share raw milk sales also operate outside the oversight applied to conventional dairies. Medical Cannabis: A new Prestonsburg dispensary puts Kentucky’s medical cannabis shops in all 11 regions, expanding access for Eastern Kentucky patients. Flu Season: Flu activity is rising earlier than usual, and Louisville has launched a mobile vaccine clinic. Medicaid Privacy: More than 3,800 Kentucky Medicaid members may have had information exposed in a breach of the KYHealth-Net provider system.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky’s confirmed count has reached 194, with Bath County cases jumping from one to 11. Health officials urge people with possible exposure or symptoms to call a provider before visiting a clinic. Maternal Care: A Kentucky bill seeks to improve care for pregnant people in prison, amid a separate proposal to track their prenatal care. Flu Season: Flu activity is rising, with Lexington’s ER seeing symptoms earlier than usual and Louisville launching a mobile vaccine clinic. Medicaid Privacy: More than 3,800 Kentucky Medicaid members may be affected by a breach involving the state’s KYHealth-Net system; the incident is Gainwell’s third provider-portal breach this year. Housing and Health: Louisville says 100 people experiencing homelessness have moved into permanent housing through its Home for Good program, which pairs housing with services such as health care and social work. Medical Cannabis: More than half of businesses licensed for Kentucky’s medical cannabis market are now open, as the program continues its statewide rollout.

Infant Safety: Golisano Children’s at UK earned the top Safe Sleep Hospital certification, recognizing its work to model safe sleep and educate families. Kentucky’s sudden unexpected infant death rate ranks among the nation’s highest. Measles and Flu: Kentucky’s measles outbreak has topped 180 cases, with 10 hospitalizations reported. Louisville has launched a mobile vaccine clinic as flu activity rises, and Lexington ER staff are seeing cases earlier than usual. Cancer Care: UK researchers found proteins that help melanoma resist treatment and suppress immune defenses, pointing to a possible new treatment target. Separately, UK Markey Cancer Center’s affiliate network now connects 20 sites statewide to expand cancer care closer to home. Maternal Health: A new report found Kentucky has no birth centers, which research links to better outcomes for some low-risk pregnancies. A Louisville lawmaker also plans legislation requiring jails and prisons to track prenatal, delivery and postpartum care for pregnant inmates.

Measles and Flu: Kentucky’s measles outbreak has topped 180 cases this year, while flu activity is rising earlier than usual. Louisville has launched a mobile vaccine clinic to help residents get protected. Pregnancy Care in Custody: A proposed bill would require Kentucky jails and prisons to track prenatal visits, births and postpartum care. Louisville Metro Corrections says 56 pregnant women have been held there so far this year. Healthcare Access: A new report finds Kentucky has no birth centers, despite research linking them to better outcomes for low-risk pregnancies. Meanwhile, a new Eastern Kentucky medical cannabis dispensary expands access across the state’s 11 regions. Medicaid Data Security: More than 3,800 Kentucky Medicaid members may have been affected by a data breach—Gainwell’s third provider-portal incident this year. Overdose Prevention: Bowling Green-area residents can safely dispose of unused prescription medicines at four sites Saturday, Oct. 24, amid Kentucky’s ongoing toll of overdose deaths.

Long-Term Care: A mother is suing Clinton Place nursing home, alleging neglect left her daughter with serious health problems, including maggots in a wound. The lawsuit names the facility, related companies and individuals; the claims have not been proven. Measles: Kentucky reported 69 new cases last week, and hospitalizations rose to 10 as the outbreak continued to spread. Emergency Services: State Rep. Rebecca Raymer plans to reintroduce a bill in 2027 to improve insurance reimbursement for ground ambulance providers, citing gaps that threaten service, especially in rural communities. Data Security: Nearly 3,800 Kentucky Medicaid members may have been affected by a security breach involving the KYHealth-Net system. Seasonal Health: Flu cases are rising in Kentucky, and health experts are urging residents to get vaccinated.

Measles: Kentucky reported 69 new cases last week, bringing the current outbreak total to 170 and hospitalizations to 10. Laurel County accounted for 49 of the new cases; health officials say they have found no public exposures tied to cases there. Medicaid Data Breach: A security incident involving the state’s KY Health-Net vendor may have exposed personal and medical billing information for about 3,816 Medicaid members. Medicare Enrollment: Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7. Kentucky’s prescription drug plans have narrowed to three providers, and SilverScript is no longer available, so beneficiaries should review their plan-change notices and compare options. Emergency Care: Jessamine County EMS earned national recognition for its cardiac-arrest work, reporting survival above 65% for witnessed arrests last year. Medication Safety: Paducah’s drug takeback event on Saturday, Oct. 24, will accept unused pills and patches. Maternal Care: A new report says Kentucky is among 10 states with no birth centers, an option linked to better outcomes for some low-risk pregnancies.

Outbreaks and Prevention: Kentucky’s measles count has reached 174, with 10 hospitalizations. Flu cases are also rising, and health experts urge vaccination. Medicaid Data Breach: Nearly 3,800 Kentucky Medicaid members may have had health information exposed in a KYHealth-Net security breach. School Mental Health: A $291,690 JCPS contract for virtual therapy served just six students before ending in June, with school staff citing staffing and sign-up hurdles. Treatment Access: Medical cannabis is now available across all 11 of Kentucky’s licensing regions. HIV Prevention: AVOL Kentucky is adding injectable PrEP, with a dose replacing two months of pills.

Medicaid Data Breach: A Gainwell Technologies breach may have exposed personal and medical-service details for 3,816 Kentucky Medicaid members. The state says Social Security numbers and bank details were not involved; affected members are being offered a year of identity protection. Community Care: Louisville’s Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place has added on-site help with SNAP and Medicaid applications, plus mental health services. Measles and Flu: Kentucky measles cases have risen to 174, with 10 hospitalizations, while flu cases are also climbing. Health experts urge residents to get vaccinated. Medical Cannabis: Kentucky’s medical cannabis program now reaches all 11 licensing regions. Opioid Response: Barren County’s settlement committee received 15 grant applications for local opioid-related programs. Clean Water: Eastern Kentucky PRIDE opened applications for septic repair and replacement grants for eligible low-income homeowners in 42 counties.

Alzheimer’s Research: University of Kentucky researchers found that reducing certain brain immune cells restored more than two hours of sleep in mice with Alzheimer’s-like changes, without removing brain plaques. The findings may point to a new way to address sleep problems, but they are not yet a treatment for people. Seasonal Health: A UK pediatric professor says fever and changes in a child’s behavior can help distinguish respiratory illness from allergies; parents should be cautious with cough and cold medicines for young children. Measles Outbreak: Kentucky cases have reached 157, including 56 in Laurel County, and Bath County has reported its first case, state health leaders say. Maternal Care: Kentucky received $9 million for home visits supporting maternal health. Drug Manufacturing: President Trump pledged a $100 million Defense Department investment in a Winchester pharmaceutical facility if Republicans win the midterms.

Medical Cannabis: Kentucky says medical cannabis is now available across all licensed regions, expanding access statewide. Campus Health Care: UK HealthCare has broken ground on a $275 million Hamburg East complex intended to bring specialty care closer to Lexington and Eastern Kentucky. Measles Watch: Cases reached 157 statewide, including a growing Laurel County cluster, Kentucky’s first reported case in Bath County and three in Caldwell County; health officials are urging vaccination. Maternal Care: Kentucky received $9 million for home visits supporting maternal health. Coverage Costs: EKU employees face higher health insurance contributions, and some spouses will lose eligibility. Seasonal Illness: Louisville health officials report an early uptick in flu cases.

Drug Manufacturing: President Donald Trump tied a proposed $100 million federal investment in Winchester’s Antheia pharmaceutical facility to a Republican win in November; funding details remain unclear. Medical Cannabis: Gov. Andy Beshear says dispensaries are now operating in every Kentucky region. Measles: Cases have topped 150 statewide, prompting health officials to urge vaccination as the outbreak spreads. Food Security: Beshear says 80,622 Kentuckians are losing SNAP benefits under federal rule changes and has urged the USDA to act. HIV Prevention: AVOL Kentucky is adding injectable PrEP, with one shot replacing two months of pills. Health Costs: A Kentucky Association of Health Plans executive argues that hospital billing practices and coding markups are adding to the cost of care.

Aging Support: October’s “Our Healthy Kentucky Home” initiative spotlights services for older adults. Measles: Kentucky’s outbreak has surpassed 150 reported cases, with Laurel County leading the state; health officials continue urging vaccination. Food Security: More than 80,000 Kentuckians are losing SNAP access under federal rule changes, prompting Gov. Andy Beshear to warn of rising hunger and help distribute food donations. Community Health: WKU and CAYA Collaborative Care launched an institute to connect research and services in areas including rural health, aging and child welfare. Care Access: Gov. Beshear says medical cannabis is now available across all of Kentucky’s licensing regions. Prevention & Training: Baptist Health Hamburg’s breast cancer awareness walk encouraged screening and early diagnosis, while a new SKYCTC scholarship will help nursing students pursue their degrees.