AGP Executive Report

Measles: Kentucky has confirmed 105 cases this year, including 45 in Christian County and seven in Laurel County; 103 cases were in unvaccinated people. Nationwide, cases have topped 4,000, the highest level in decades. Medicaid Access: Kentucky Voices for Health will hold a listening session Tuesday, 3–5 p.m., at McCracken County Public Library in Paducah on Medicaid changes, including new community-engagement requirements, and school health services. Care Costs: Eastern Kentucky University reports a $6.7 million budget gap, partly driven by higher employee health-care costs; 2027 university health plans will carry higher premiums. Behavioral Health: Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana has added counselor John Black, who is accepting adult and pediatric patients. Maternal Care: A $10 million grant aims to support a broader overhaul of maternity care in Kentucky.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky cases reached 104, including seven newly reported in Laurel County, as U.S. cases topped 4,000—the highest total since 1991. Eastern Kentucky Health: More than $22 million in regional investments will support health care, emergency services and other projects; separate funding aims to improve maternity care and address the state’s high maternal mortality rate. Black Lung: The disease is surging in Appalachia, including Kentucky, as the Trump administration pauses enforcement of stricter mine-dust rules designed to reduce exposure. Seasonal Health: Louisville officials warn that mosquitoes and ticks remain active in Kentucky’s warm fall weather, while UK HealthCare offers advice on telling allergies from colds and flu. Medicare: Louisville-based Humana says 95% of its Medicare Advantage members are in plans rated four stars or higher for 2027, a change that could affect beneficiaries’ plan choices and the company’s future bonus payments.

AI Safety: Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman’s unredacted lawsuit accuses Character.AI of exposing minors to sexual content, self-harm and psychological manipulation, while lacking proper age checks and parental controls. Measles: Kentucky’s outbreak reached 104 cases, up 10 in a week; Christian County leads with 44, and Laurel County reported seven new cases. Black Lung: The disease is surging among Appalachian miners, including in Kentucky, as the Trump administration pauses enforcement of dust rules meant to limit exposure. Maternal Care: A new $10 million grant aims to reduce Kentucky’s maternal mortality risk by expanding maternity-care workers, pregnancy and postpartum home visits, and long-term postpartum support.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky has passed 100 confirmed cases, with Christian County leading at 44 and seven new cases reported in Laurel County. Maternal Health: A $10 million grant will expand access to doulas, midwives and home visits, strengthen maternity-care data and support postpartum care as Kentucky works to reduce maternal deaths. Mental Health: Northern Kentucky’s NorthKey has launched a 24/7 crisis hotline for mental health and substance-use support. Medical Debt: Kentuckians are receiving notices that their medical debt has been canceled, offering relief to affected households.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky’s case count has reached 104 after seven additional cases in Laurel County. Health Secretary Steven Stack says it’s too soon to predict when the outbreak will ease and urges unvaccinated residents to seek the MMR vaccine. Maternal Health: A $10 million grant aims to cut Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate in half. Eastern Kentucky Care: The state secured a record $78.8 million in Appalachian Regional Commission funding for 67 projects, including a health-care training center, water-system improvements and flood recovery. Earlier Sepsis Detection: UK HealthCare has introduced emergency-department screening designed to identify sepsis sooner. Mental Health: Louisville Archbishop Shelton Fabre is helping lead the Catholic bishops’ annual campaign, which offers a nine-day prayer program and resources for parishes.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky’s cases have reached 104, including seven newly reported in Laurel County. Christian County has the most, at 44; 102 cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose status was unknown. Health officials urge eligible residents to get the MMR vaccine. Blood Supply: Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville is partnering with the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center to secure a steadier supply for patients, with blood donations still available at the hospital three days a week. Maternal Health: New funding is aimed at reducing Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate. Mental Health: NorthKey has launched a 24/7 crisis hotline for Northern Kentucky residents seeking mental health or substance-use support. Rural Care: Construction has begun on North Campbell Community Hospital in Jellico, while new Eastern Kentucky investments include health care projects.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky has confirmed 104 cases this year, including seven newly reported in Laurel County. Christian County leads with 44 cases; 102 patients were unvaccinated or had unknown status, and nine people have been hospitalized. Maternal Health: A $10 million grant aims to cut Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate in half. Rural Care: Jellico’s shuttered hospital is being renovated in a $14 million project, with reopening planned next year. Medicaid: Berea families say federal cuts are already affecting their children’s care, as broader coverage changes loom. Drug Costs: Kentucky is among 45 states seeking court approval of settlements over alleged generic-drug price fixing; people who bought generic prescriptions from 2009 to 2019 may qualify for compensation.

Food as Medicine: More than 60 Kentucky hospitals are part of a statewide effort to bring nutritious, locally grown food into patient care. The initiative will be featured at a free Ashland health fair on Oct. 10. Measles: Kentucky has reported 94 cases this year, the highest annual count since 1991; Christian County accounts for 44. Care Access: Lexington’s UK Salvation Army Clinic provides free basic care, lab and pharmacy services, nutrition counseling and smoking-cessation support. Student fundraisers later this month will benefit the clinic. Rural Health: Lake Cumberland District Health Department will lead a new effort to support healthier rural communities, while a western Kentucky program targets diabetes and obesity. Mental Health: NorthKey has launched a 24/7 crisis hotline for Northern Kentucky residents seeking mental health or substance-use support. Maternal Health: A $10 million grant aims to cut Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate in half.

Public Health: Kentucky Health Secretary Steven Stack says officials see no evidence of danger from a Russian lab incident but remain vigilant; Gov. Andy Beshear warned the state may be less prepared for another outbreak. Measles: Cases continue to climb, with Kentucky reporting 94 confirmed infections as officials monitor the outbreak. Care Access: Kentucky ranks near the middle nationally for mental health access, while Northern Kentucky’s NorthKey has launched a 24/7 crisis hotline. Lexington’s UK Salvation Army Clinic also offers free basic care, prescriptions and specialty visits. Medical Debt: Kentuckians are receiving letters notifying them that medical debt has been canceled. Rural Health: Lake Cumberland’s health district will lead a new program focused on diabetes, obesity and healthier communities. Maternal Health: A $10 million grant aims to cut Kentucky’s maternal mortality rate in half. Emergency Care: A school bus and car collided in Harlan County, sending 11 students and two adults to hospitals; two students remained hospitalized.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky cases have climbed to 94, the state’s highest yearly total since 1991, with Christian and Trigg counties among the hardest hit. Cancer Care: A University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center physician led international guidance on when bladder-cancer biomarker tests can help shape care; more than 1,200 Kentuckians are diagnosed each year. Rural Health: Lake Cumberland District Health Department will coordinate a 10-county effort to prevent and manage diabetes and obesity, with up to $10 million in federal funding available over five years. Medicaid Access: Berea parents say coverage disruptions are threatening care for children with complex medical needs and autism. Community Support: Lexington’s Black Soil KY is bringing Narcan to farmacy markets, pairing overdose-prevention resources with fresh food and agricultural programming. Medical Debt: Kentuckians have begun receiving notices that their medical debt has been canceled.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky cases have reached 94, the state’s highest annual count since 1991, with Christian County reporting 44 as the outbreak continues. Rural Health: Health departments in western Kentucky and the Lake Cumberland region will lead five-year initiatives focused on diabetes, obesity and other community health needs. Care Access: The University of Kentucky’s student-run Salvation Army Clinic offers free basic care, lab and pharmacy services, nutrition counseling and help quitting smoking. Head Start: Gov. Andy Beshear is urging the Trump administration to reconsider proposed rule changes, warning they could weaken safety and health services for more than 15,000 Kentucky children. Retiree Coverage: State and school retirees under 65 have until Oct. 26 to complete mandatory health-benefit enrollment or risk losing coverage. Mental Health: NorthKey has launched a 24/7 crisis hotline for Northern Kentucky residents seeking mental health or substance-use support.

Measles Outbreak: Kentucky confirmed 94 cases as of Oct. 6, nearly double the count three weeks earlier. Seven people have been hospitalized, and nearly all cases involve unvaccinated people. State health officials urge eligible residents to get the MMR vaccine. Cancer Care: UK Markey Cancer Center surgeons are using wire-free EnVisio technology to locate breast tumors during lumpectomies. Markey is also launching a campaign urging Kentuckians to keep up with recommended screenings. Lung Cancer Screening: Baptist Health Paducah will offer low-dose CT screenings by appointment Nov. 13 for eligible people at high risk. Access to Care: Kentucky received a $10 million grant for maternal health programs. In Lexington, UK’s student-run Salvation Army Clinic offers free basic care, lab and pharmacy services, nutrition counseling and limited specialty care.

Maternal Health Funding: Kentucky and Arkansas each received $10M grants for maternal health through Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America, as Gov. Andy Beshear rallied Arkansas Democrats. Public Health: Kentucky measles cases rose to 94, up from 82 in three weeks, with most cases among unvaccinated people and new clusters in Christian and Trigg counties. Mental Health Access: NorthKey Community Care launched a new 859-GET HELP hotline in Northern Kentucky, staffed around the clock and routed to mental health professionals. Health Care Workforce & Costs: New research links post-Dobbs abortion bans to higher employer-insurance premium costs for women, with larger impacts for Black and Hispanic women. University Budget Pressure: EKU faces an additional $3.2M cut tied to higher employee health insurance costs and flat enrollment, on top of a prior $3M academic affairs reduction. County Jail Crisis: A Kentucky proposal and committee discussion focus on county jail funding at a “crisis point,” with local governments transferring far more general-fund money to keep jails running. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states due to undeclared yellow dyes. Community Care: UK’s Salvation Army Clinic, a long-running free student clinic, announced upcoming fundraising events to support services.

Cancer Screening Push: Lee Anne Pope and UK’s Markey Cancer Center launched “Set Your Screen,” urging Kentuckians to talk with providers and book recommended screenings after Pope’s family cancer stories. Measles Watch: Kentucky confirmed 94 measles cases in 2026, the highest since 1991, with Christian County at 44 and Trigg County at 23; most hospitalized patients reportedly weren’t vaccinated. Health Access & Insurance: Aetna Medicaid is bundling multiple prior authorizations into one request for oncology care in Kentucky and other states, aiming to cut delays for patients starting treatment. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade in 37 states due to undeclared yellow dyes; shoppers should check affected flavors and lot codes. Local Care Moves: Gateway and Mercy Urgent Care in Owensboro officially joined Owensboro Health, keeping their brands and leadership while expanding access. Community Health: UK’s Salvation Army Clinic, a student-run free clinic since 1986, is hosting a Miles for Medicine 5K fundraiser Oct. 24. Public Health & Nutrition: UK researchers are raising awareness of Alpha-Gal, a tick-borne allergy that can cause delayed reactions to mammal-based foods. Pharma in Lexington: Piramal Pharma Solutions opened a new microbiology lab at its Lexington sterile injectable facility to expand GMP sterility testing capacity.

Public Health: Kentucky’s measles outbreak keeps climbing, with the state Department for Public Health confirming 94 cases as of Monday; seven people are hospitalized, and most cases are tied to people without a recorded measles vaccine. Food Safety: PepsiCo is recalling 122,021 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade in 37 states, including Kentucky, because some bottles may contain undeclared Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6; the FDA lists it as a Class II recall. Life-Saving Care: Lexington launched Cardiac Crusade, a volunteer effort to map AED locations across the city using the PulsePoint AED (NEAR) app, aiming to speed up response to sudden cardiac arrest. Access to Care: UK’s Salvation Army Clinic, a student-run free clinic in Lexington since 1986, continues offering basic care, labs, pharmacy support, nutrition counseling, and monthly specialty services, with fundraising events planned in October. Mental Health Help Line: NorthKey Community Care rolled out 859-GET-HELP, a 24/7 number connecting Northern Kentucky residents to local behavioral health professionals for mental health and substance use support.

Free clinic spotlight: UK’s Salvation Army Clinic in Lexington, run by medical students since 1986, offers free basic care plus labs, pharmacy help, nutrition counseling and monthly specialty visits (pediatrics, dermatology, eye health), with two upcoming student fundraisers including a Miles for Medicine 5K on Oct. 24. Public health and food safety: PepsiCo is recalling about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade bottles in 37 states because labels didn’t list certain yellow food dyes; the issue is mainly for people who need ingredient avoidance. Hunger access in Kentucky: Feeding Kentucky says hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians who qualify for SNAP still aren’t enrolled, and food banks can’t replace what SNAP provides—especially as costs rise. Tree health and native landscaping: UK’s Bradford pear exchange (“Bradford Pear Bounty”) lets residents cut and photograph Bradford pears to receive limited native replacement trees through county Extension events. Health care industry news: Harrow says it has closed its acquisition of TYRVAYA nasal spray rights (dry eye disease), paying $30 million at closing with possible up to $70 million more in milestones.