AGP Executive Report

Hospital Recognition: United Hospital Center in Bridgeport earned U.S. News & World Report “High Performing” honors across multiple procedures and conditions, while J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital kept its top West Virginia spot and other WVU Medicine hospitals were also recognized. Foodborne Outbreak Watch: The CDC says the iceberg lettuce–linked cyclosporiasis outbreak has grown to 15 states, with 10,468 lab-confirmed cases nationwide and 517 hospitalizations; Michigan reported two deaths, and guidance is shifting as case counts slow. Local Health Access: WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital became a donor milk depot, expanding access to screened donor breastmilk for infants in southern West Virginia. Sleep Apnea Gap: A new push targets primary care referral pathways for obstructive sleep apnea, aiming to close the huge diagnosis gap rather than relying on gadgets. Rural Care Expansion: Groundbreaking began for a $40 million skilled nursing facility in Barboursville, expected to add 124 beds and 150 jobs. Nutrition Relief: West Virginia Department of Human Services extended SNAP food-loss reporting after July storms, giving households until Aug. 10 to request replacement benefits. Health Policy: Mercer County officials warn proposed Medicaid changes tied to H.R. 1 could add work requirements and more frequent renewals, risking coverage losses.

Hospital Recognition: United Hospital Center in Bridgeport and J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital (plus several WVU Medicine facilities) earned top “High Performing” spots in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals rankings, highlighting care in areas like heart attack, heart failure, COPD, cancer, stroke, and orthopedic surgeries. Food Safety: The CDC says the iceberg lettuce–linked parasite cyclosporiasis is now tied to 15 states, with cases reported in West Virginia among others; health officials warn symptoms can take weeks to show up, so counts may lag real exposure. Organ Donation Oversight: HHS moved to decertify Kentucky’s Network for Hope organ procurement group, citing persistent patient safety failures, including claims that some donors showed signs incompatible with donation; the group says it will appeal. Infection Control Watch: A drug-resistant “superbug” fungus, Candida auris, continues spreading in U.S. healthcare settings, with thousands of cases reported this year. Local Mental Health Access: Pierpont Community & Technical College expanded student behavioral health support through a partnership with Community Care of West Virginia.

Organ Donation Oversight: HHS has begun decertifying Kentucky’s Network for Hope, the organ procurement group serving Kentucky and parts of Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia, citing “persistent patient safety failures” and serious deficiencies in nearly 30% of reviewed cases. Food Safety: The CDC says the iceberg lettuce–linked cyclospora outbreak has expanded to 15 states, adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and North Carolina; the outbreak has sickened thousands, with two deaths reported in Michigan. Local Health Policy: West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey is investigating the school clothing voucher program after concerns that nearly half the benefits were withdrawn as cash at ATMs instead of being used for children’s clothing. Public Health in Schools: WVU Medicine athletic trainer guidance highlights heat illness prevention for student athletes, including monitoring conditions and acting fast at the first warning signs. Healthcare Recognition: UHC in Bridgeport and multiple WVU Medicine hospitals earned “High Performing” honors in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Best Hospitals rankings.

Cyclospora Outbreak: The nation’s largest food distributor, Sysco, says it has stopped buying iceberg lettuce from Mexico and from Taylor Farms after the explosive-diarrhea parasite outbreak tied to the supplier and Taco Bell spread to 47 states, with CDC reporting 10,468 lab-confirmed cases and 517 hospitalizations plus two deaths in Michigan. Food Safety & Recalls: New reporting says the outbreak’s linked states list has grown again, adding Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina, while federal and state teams keep tracing sources and timing. Medicaid Fraud Push: West Virginia Attorney General joins a coalition urging Congress to expand Medicaid fraud authority so states can investigate recipient fraud under the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act. Rural Health Access: A West Virginia heart failure program pairs 22 pharmacists across 12 pharmacies with HVI specialists to support medication management and reduce hospitalizations. Behavioral Health Training: WVU researchers tested ChatGPT for psychiatry education, stressing human supervision for safety and ethics. Public Health Watch: A first locally acquired dengue fever case was detected in Virginia’s DC suburbs, with officials saying spread risk appears low.

Cyclospora Outbreak: The CDC says the explosive diarrhea parasite outbreak has surged to 15 states, with more than 10,000 lab-confirmed cases and two deaths reported in Michigan. The illness is linked to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, prompting recalls and widespread menu changes. Food Safety Recalls: Separate from the parasite scare, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled about 22,880 pounds of prepared meals after metal slivers were found in baking pans; no injuries were reported. Water & Public Health: Gov. Patrick Morrisey kicked off a two-day southern West Virginia water listening tour, aiming to pinpoint problems tied to aging infrastructure and poor water quality. Heart Failure Care Access: A new community pharmacy partnership in Stonewood/White Hall expands pharmacist support for heart failure patients, connecting them with HVI specialists for medication management and follow-up. Behavioral Health Training: WVU researchers tested ChatGPT-5 Pro for psychiatry education and found it can help create training scenarios, but human supervision is still essential for safety. Rural Health Education: Marshall University approved land for a dedicated School of Medicine facility in Huntington, setting up more space for education, research, and community health.

Rural Heart Care Boost: WVU Medicine’s Heart Failure program is partnering with 22 pharmacists across 12 West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania locations to help patients manage meds, learn care plans, and stay connected between cardiology visits—aimed at reducing worsening heart failure and hospitalizations. Cyclospora Update: The multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has now reached 6,707 lab-confirmed cases in 45 states, with symptoms like watery diarrhea and cramping; Michigan has reported the first two outbreak-related deaths, both tied to serious underlying conditions and dehydration. Food Safety Recall: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled several deli meals sold in West Virginia and other states due to possible metal contamination from aluminum fragments. Medicaid Fraud Push: West Virginia Attorney General joins a coalition urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act to expand states’ ability to investigate fraud beyond provider cases. Water Infrastructure Listening Tour: Gov. Morrisey launched a two-day water listening tour in southern West Virginia to hear about aging systems and plan future public health investments. Behavioral Health Access: NAMI in West Virginia will host a statewide listening tour stop Aug. 13 at WVU Tech in Beckley.

Food Safety Crisis: Michigan confirmed the first two U.S. deaths tied to the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, warning that severe illness can still happen—especially for people with serious underlying conditions and dehydration. Public Health Watch: The CDC says lab-confirmed cases have topped 6,700 across dozens of states, with investigations continuing into the source linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. Rural Maternal Care: A Parkersburg nonprofit launched a free mobile prenatal clinic to reach maternal health deserts, aiming to close early-detection and transport gaps for pregnant women. Opioid Treatment Access: U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Peter Welch introduced legislation to preserve and expand the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. Healthcare Access & Costs: A new sleep apnea diagnosis initiative brings together WVU and other health systems to help primary care providers screen and test for obstructive sleep apnea. Child Health & Nutrition: Greenbrier County schools will again offer free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision program. Policy & Fraud: West Virginia’s AG backed federal action to help states crack down on Medicaid fraud beyond provider cases.

Clean Air & Community Safety: Kanawha County commissioners asked the state DEP to hold off on an air quality permit for a proposed “advanced recycling” plastics pyrolysis plant near schools and homes, saying residents need more details before any approval. Family Health & Stability: West Virginia Department of Human Services highlighted Child Support Awareness Month, reporting BCSE distributed $181.7M to 59,518 children in the latest federal fiscal year and manages 69,240 active cases. Behavioral Health Access: NAMI West Virginia will host a behavioral health listening tour in Beckley Aug. 13 at WVU Tech, bringing together families, providers, educators, and law enforcement to shape a statewide mental health report. Food Safety Watch: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled about 22,880 pounds of baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler due to possible metal slivers; no injuries reported. Public Health Pressure: CDC updates show cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to 6,707 confirmed in 45 states since May 1, with hundreds hospitalized, tied in part to shredded lettuce. Medical Accountability: Attorney General William Tong announced a $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition, with trial expected in 2027.

Food Safety Alerts: Federal regulators say nearly 23,000 pounds of Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler were recalled in Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia due to possible metal slivers after a customer complaint; no injuries reported. Public Health: A Salmonella-linked egg recall tied to Midwest Poultry Services has expanded to 98 illnesses across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations, and involves specific carton codes and a sell-by window through mid-August. West Virginia Health Access: Milan Puskar Health Right’s move to Scott Avenue in Morgantown is already paying off, with 39 new patients in June and increased prescription refills and outreach. EMS Staffing: Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority is hiring EMTs and paramedics, including new academy students, to strengthen emergency coverage. Community Health & Safety: West Virginia Donor Day on Aug. 1 highlighted low donor registration (36% statewide) and ways to sign up. Local Health Policy: Delegates are seeking answers after the clothing voucher program closed after one week, with lawmakers questioning funding and transparency. Injury Response: Crews rushed to Grafton after a suspected explosion in Taylor County, sending one person to the hospital with severe injuries.

Rural EMS Hiring: Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority is recruiting EMTs and paramedics, including a new EMT academy track, to strengthen emergency coverage as demand rises. Oral Health Access: Bridgeport dentist Dr. Katelyn Hineman (WVU alum) has joined TLC Dental, welcoming new patients at her locations. Organ Donation Push: West Virginia Donor Day (Aug. 1) spotlights low donor registration rates and highlights multiple ways to register for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Food Safety Alerts: Ukrop’s baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler are recalled over possible metal slivers; separate national outbreaks continue to drive warnings around eggs and cyclosporiasis-linked produce. Medicaid Billing Trends: New data show Morgantown Medicaid outpatient PPS claims jumped in 2024, while Charleston saw growth in DME Medicare administrative contractor payments. Community Health Support: Nicholas County Schools will again offer free breakfast and lunch to all students through the CEP program, aiming to keep kids fed and ready to learn. Public Health & Environment: A South Charleston cancer-risk lawsuit tied to ethylene oxide faces efforts to block expert testimony, as local residents push for accountability. Healthcare Workforce Investment: Gov. Morrisey announced $14M to expand access to rural healthcare technology.

Organ Donation Push: West Virginia Donor Day is Aug. 1, urging Mountain State residents to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors; CORE says only 36% are registered, while 327 people wait for transplants, and a new option lets people sign up during voter registration. Rural Health Access: Gov. Jim Justice announced about $14 million to expand remote patient monitoring and virtual healthcare tech through the Rural Health Transformation Program, aiming to catch problems earlier and improve chronic care in rural communities. Food Safety & Outbreak Watch: A major cyclosporiasis surge continues to rattle the region, with Michigan reporting more than 10,700 cases and Ohio reporting thousands; officials keep urging careful produce washing and trimming. Local Health Equity: Nicholas County Schools will again offer free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, serving nearly 3,000 students daily. Caregiving Costs: A new national price check shows home caregiver rates vary widely by state, with families paying a median of $34 an hour nationwide. Community Health Services: A free pop-up clinic in Verona, Wisconsin (Remote Area Medical) highlights how quickly demand can outstrip access when people can’t afford care.

Food Safety Watch: The FDA says the U.S. food supply is safe as cyclosporiasis cases top 11,000 nationwide, with officials pointing to ongoing investigations and urging careful produce handling. Local Health Access: WVU Medicine is marking West Virginia Donor Day (Aug. 1) by urging residents to register as organ donors; only 36% of West Virginians are registered. Rural Care Investment: Gov. Morrisey announced about $14 million to expand remote patient monitoring and virtual healthcare tech through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Cancer Risk Lawsuit: Union Carbide and Covestro are trying to block expert testimony in a South Charleston class action alleging ethylene oxide emissions raised cancer risk. School Nutrition: Nicholas County Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision program. Community Support After Flooding: WVU Medicine, Community Care of West Virginia and local partners provided up to 500 free meals to Weston flood-impacted residents. Food Recall: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods recalled baked spaghetti and chicken cobbler products shipped to WV due to possible metal contamination. Caregiving Costs: A new report highlights big state-by-state swings in home caregiver pay, with families urged to compare local rates.

Rural Healthcare Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced about $14 million to expand remote patient monitoring and virtual care across West Virginia, aiming to catch problems earlier and boost access in rural areas. Organ Donation Push: West Virginia Donor Day (Aug. 1) is spotlighting low registration rates—only 36% of West Virginians are signed up—while WVU Medicine urges residents to register, including via voter sign-up. Food Safety Watch: The FDA says the U.S. food supply is safe as cyclosporiasis cases top 11,000 nationwide; the outbreak is tied to iceberg lettuce linked to Taylor Farms, with West Virginia among affected states. Local Health & Community Response: WVU Medicine, Community Care of West Virginia and Vandalia Health helped flood-impacted Weston residents with up to 500 free meals. Medicare Skin Cancer Fight: A Medicare pay cut tied to image-guided superficial radiation therapy is sparking a specialty battle over access to office-based skin cancer treatment. Long-Term Care Concern: Majestic Care says it’s making progress on new long-term care hospital builds in West Virginia, while lawmakers question the sites and potential impacts on communities. Public Health & Safety: Kanawha County commissioners asked the WV DEP for more details before issuing an air permit for a proposed plastics pyrolysis “advanced recycling” plant near schools and homes.

Rural Healthcare Boost: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced about $14 million to expand rural healthcare via remote patient monitoring and virtual care, aiming to catch problems earlier and support chronic-condition patients at home and in hospitals. Food Safety & Outbreak Watch: The Cyclospora parasite outbreak keeps widening, with the CDC reporting 6,707 confirmed cases in 45 states and 423 hospitalizations; West Virginia is among the states tied to the lettuce-linked investigation, and lawsuits are now targeting economic losses for consumers. Legal Action Over Lettuce: A West Virginia consumer filed a class action seeking at least $200 against Taco Bell and Taylor Farms over lettuce allegedly linked to the outbreak. Measles Alert: West Virginia confirmed a measles case in Barbour County in an unvaccinated resident; health officials are doing contact tracing and urging clinicians to watch for symptoms. Medicare Payment Fight: West Virginia Rep. Carol Miller joined a push to reverse a Medicare reimbursement cut affecting an office-based skin cancer treatment option, as doctors argue over who gets paid. Stroke Care Recognition: Raleigh General Hospital again earned the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines—Stroke Gold Plus award for sustained, guideline-based stroke treatment.

Rural Health Tech Boost: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced about $14 million to expand remote patient monitoring and virtual care across West Virginia, aiming to catch problems earlier and improve chronic-condition management in rural communities. Food Safety Watch: The national cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce continues to ripple through restaurants; Yum Brands says Taco Bell’s U.S. same-store sales are down 2% so far in the July-September period, though sales are improving after the chain removed Taylor Farms lettuce and the supplier recalled product. Local Care Recognition: WVU Medicine Potomac Valley Hospital earned the Lown Institute’s recognition for strong clinical outcomes and cost efficiency among critical access hospitals. Immunization Alert: West Virginia confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated Barbour County man, the first in the state since April 2024, as CDC tracks a nationwide outbreak. Blood Supply Crisis: The American Red Cross declared a nationwide blood supply crisis, raising urgent concerns for patients who need regular plasma-derived treatments, including a West Virginia man with rare leukemia. Donor Drive: West Virginia Donor Day returns Aug. 1, highlighting low donor registration rates and new options to register through voter processes. Health Access Update: Health Right’s director says patient volume after its Morgantown move has stabilized and even increased, with June bringing an unusually high number of new patients.

Rural Health Funding: Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced about $14 million to expand remote patient monitoring and virtual care in West Virginia’s rural communities, aiming to catch issues earlier and improve chronic-condition management. Food Safety & Local Impact: A multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded iceberg lettuce continues to ripple through the region, with Taco Bell sales and traffic pressured as customers react to outbreak-linked lettuce removed from menus. Wildlife Health Reporting: West Virginia DNR rolled out a new online tool for residents to report sick or dead wildlife, helping biologists decide when investigations are needed. Healthcare Access & Training: West Virginia Junior College held a ribbon cutting for a new School of Healthcare lab facility in Sophia, expanding hands-on training for future providers. Environmental Accountability: West Virginia officials joined legal opposition to a proposed EPA-Chemours PFAS settlement, arguing it would not adequately address contamination harms. State Program Crunch: West Virginia’s school clothing assistance program closed after funding ran out, leaving families without the usual back-to-school voucher window.