AGP Executive Report

Measles Watch: U.S. measles cases have surged to 3,294 in 2026, with Pennsylvania reporting the highest totals (about 693 cases) and multiple deaths—health officials warn the real burden may be higher than reported. Public Health & Safety: A fatal three-vehicle crash in an I-79 construction zone near Elkview shut down southbound lanes late Friday, underscoring ongoing risks around road work. West Virginia Health Workforce: West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) earned “Great College to Work For” recognition for the 11th time, highlighting job satisfaction, benefits, and faculty support. Addiction Treatment Access: Ohio researchers are expanding primary-care access to medications for opioid use disorder, using a mentorship model that also reaches clinicians in West Virginia. Community Health & Prevention: A West Virginia humane group is using a $45,000 grant to expand spay/neuter services for community cats, aiming to reduce disease and unwanted litters. Health Tech & Youth Innovation: A West Virginia eighth-grader advanced to national STEM finals for a low-cost 3D-printed bionic hand design.

Health & Safety: A West Virginia woman, 75-year-old Margaret Louise Rog of Morgantown, faces abuse-or-neglect charges after police say she left her legally blind husband on the toilet for more than 19 hours before he died; court documents describe serious medical findings after he was hospitalized. Environmental Health: Residents in eastern Kanawha County are set for a community meeting Tuesday, Sept. 22, opposing a proposed “advanced recycling”/Clean Seas-West Virginia facility, with critics saying it’s essentially plastic incineration that could harm public health and worsen climate change. Community Health & Wellness: A WalletHub happiness study ranks West Virginia 50th (last) and Oregon among the least happy states, using measures tied to emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community conditions. Local Health Workforce/EMS: A Times West Virginian story looks back at the Marion County Rescue Squad’s volunteer roots and how training and community support shaped EMS in the region. STEM & Disability Tech: West Virginia Virtual Academy eighth-grader Kianoosh Nawai advanced as a finalist in a national prosthetics-focused STEM challenge for a lower-cost 3D-printed bionic hand design.

Lung Cancer Screening Access: WVU Medicine’s mobile LUCAS unit is scheduled to bring low-dose CT scans to Summers, Greenbrier and Ritchie counties in October, with appointments needed at least 14 days ahead and options for insured patients plus grant-funded help for eligible uninsured West Virginians. Health Care Costs: A West Virginia C-SPAN caller says Medicare insulin costs rose from about $6 for a 28-day supply to $80 at CVS, highlighting ongoing affordability pressure for people with diabetes. Public Health & Safety: Organizers are planning a community meeting in Belle, Kanawha County, to address concerns about a proposed “advanced recycling” plastics facility, with critics saying it’s essentially rebranded incineration that could harm health. Environmental Health: Neighbors near Chemours’ Wood County operations are proposing a class-action lawsuit alleging PFAS contamination damaged homes and land, after earlier pollution challenges. EMS & Community Care: A West Virginia rescue squad reunites 50 years after volunteer EMS beginnings, reflecting how local first responders have evolved over decades. Black Lung Benefits: A report highlights coal miners’ struggles to get federal black lung benefits as cases surge and appeals drag on.

Elder Care Tragedy: A West Virginia woman, 75, is charged after police say she left her legally blind, dementia-stricken husband on a toilet for more than 19 hours before he died, with investigators alleging no food, water, or medications during the ordeal. Public Health Access: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is scheduled to stop in Summers, Greenbrier and Ritchie counties in October, offering low-dose CT scans with appointments required in advance and options for insured and qualifying uninsured patients. Cancer Care Coverage Costs: A West Virginia C-SPAN caller says Medicare insulin costs jumped from about $6 for a 28-day supply to $80 at CVS, highlighting ongoing affordability pressure for people with diabetes. Environmental Health & Lawsuits: Residents near Chemours’ Wood County operations are proposing a class-action lawsuit alleging PFAS contamination damaged homes and land for years, after earlier pollution challenges. Community Health & Safety: Kanawha County’s I-79 South reopened after a fatal early-morning crash, while local firefighters rescued and later adopted a kitten trapped in a wall cavity. Health Policy Watch: A federal push for mandatory healthcare cybersecurity rules is back in Congress after the Change Healthcare ransomware disruption.

Data Center Tensions: West Virginia community advocates rallied at the Capitol to protest how state certification is moving “high-impact” data center projects forward in Mason County, saying locals had little notice and lost zoning control. PFAS Lawsuit Push: In Wood County, residents are proposing a class-action against Chemours, alleging long-running PFAS contamination harmed homes and health after earlier pollution fights. Lung Cancer Screening Access: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is scheduled to stop in Summers, Greenbrier and Ritchie counties in October, with options for insured patients and grant-funded help for eligible uninsured residents. Medicare Insulin Cost Shock: A West Virginia caller on C-SPAN highlighted a reported jump in Medicare insulin costs from about $6 to $80 at CVS, underscoring affordability stress for people with diabetes. Medicaid Provider Updates: DoHS/BMS announced Fall 2026 virtual provider workshops to brief clinicians on Medicaid and WVCHIP changes, billing, and managed care updates. Rabies Alert: CDC reports a rise in animal rabies cases and human exposures, while USDA prepares an oral rabies vaccine airdrop in the Southeast. Opioid Response: Monongalia County’s QRT is gearing up for Save a Life Day Narcan distribution, aiming to keep overdose reversal kits flowing.

Lung Cancer Screening Access: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is scheduled to stop in Summers, Greenbrier, and Ritchie counties in October, offering low-dose CT scans for insured patients and grant-funded spots for eligible uninsured West Virginians (appointments required 14+ days ahead). Medication Costs: A West Virginia caller on C-SPAN says Medicare insulin prices jumped from about $6 for a 28-day supply to $80 at CVS, highlighting ongoing affordability pressure for people with diabetes. Opioid Overdose Prevention: Monongalia County’s Quick Response Team and Mon County Health Department are preparing for Save a Life Day, distributing thousands of Narcan two-dose kits to help reverse opioid overdoses. Medicaid Provider Updates: West Virginia Department of Human Services will host Fall 2026 virtual Medicaid provider workshops with updates from Medicaid, WVCHIP, managed care organizations, and vendors. Public Health & Safety: A West Virginia woman faces charges after investigators say she left her husband on a toilet for 19 hours, leading to his death; separate coverage also reports a Grafton City Hospital data breach lawsuit. Pharma Supply Chain Security: AG Steve Marshall led a 20-state warning to Secretary of State Marco Rubio about alleged Chinese exploitation of FDA “Green List” supplier gaps tied to compounded GLP-1 drugs.

Mobile Lung Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile unit will bring low-dose CT lung cancer screenings to Summers, Greenbrier, and Ritchie counties in October, with appointments required and options for insured patients plus grant-funded spots for eligible uninsured West Virginians. Measles Watch: CDC reports 3,471 measles cases nationwide as of Sept. 17, up week over week, with most cases tied to outbreaks and West Virginia among the listed jurisdictions. Healthcare Cybersecurity: A proposed class action alleges Grafton City Hospital and Monongalia Health System exposed patients’ protected health information after an email account compromise and delayed notification. Rural Health Access: West Virginia’s state health data infrastructure gets a $855,400 boost, supporting the WV Health Information Network. Opioid Prevention Funding: HHS announced $500,000 each for Alabama, Kansas, and West Virginia for faith-based youth drug prevention as overdose deaths continue to decline. Caregiver Safety: A West Virginia woman was arrested after allegedly leaving an elderly husband with dementia on a toilet for 19 hours before he died. Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, will receive $500 refunds tied to federal exchange “user fees.”

Rural Lung Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is scheduled to visit Summers, Greenbrier and Ritchie counties in October, offering low-dose CT scans with appointments required 14+ days ahead; insured patients can use coverage, while eligible uninsured West Virginians may qualify through grant support. Health Data Investment: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced $855,400 for the West Virginia Health Information Network to strengthen statewide health data infrastructure and expand secure care coordination through the Rural Health Transformation Program’s Connected Care Grid. Opioid Prevention Push: HHS awarded $500,000 each to Alabama, Kansas and West Virginia for faith-based youth drug prevention as overdose deaths continue to decline, with West Virginia using the funds to build new partnerships and prevention plans with faith communities. Community Behavioral Health Planning: Parkersburg-area stakeholders met in a RAP session to map behavioral health and criminal justice gaps and build pathways to treatment instead of arrests or emergency room visits. Food Safety Alerts: FDA recall updates include a Class I action tied to jalapeño-related Salmonella concerns affecting products distributed across West Virginia and many other states. Caregiver Abuse Case: A West Virginia woman was arrested after allegedly leaving an elderly husband with dementia on a toilet for 19 hours before he died, raising alarms about incapacitated adult safety and caregiver oversight.

Rural Health Data Boost: Gov. Jim Morrisey announced an $855,400 award to expand West Virginia’s health data infrastructure through the WV Health Information Network, aiming to strengthen secure sharing of patient information and improve care coordination statewide. Care Access & Workforce: PracticeLink opened Fall 2026 First Practice Fund applications, offering $2,500 awards to help medical trainees cover expenses tied to preparing for patient care. Family Support Tool: The West Virginia Department of Human Services launched the WV Kinship Hub, a private online resource with screening tools and next steps for kinship and foster families. Health Education: New River CTC will host an eight-week “Heart Healthy Cooking” class starting Sept. 24 in Summersville. Medicaid Cancer Approvals: Aetna expanded bundled prior authorization for cancer care for eligible Medicaid members, effective Sept. 1, 2026. Public Health & Safety: A West Virginia woman was charged after investigators say she left her incapacitated husband on a toilet for about 19 hours before his death. Policy & Environment: The EPA moved to repeal major power-plant emissions rules, drawing praise from officials and concern from clean-air advocates.

Obamacare refunds: President Trump announced $500-per-person refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, tied to alleged Biden-era Obamacare “user fee” overcharges. Power plant pollution: West Virginia officials praised EPA’s repeal of Biden-era emissions rules for coal- and gas-fired power plants, while clean-air advocates warned the rollback could worsen local health impacts. State budget watch: West Virginia lawmakers heard updates on early fiscal year tax collections, with the state reporting $838.3 million collected so far and surplus collections running ahead of estimates. PFAS lawsuit: Two Wood County residents sued Chemours in federal court over alleged PFAS contamination from a Washington Works landfill, citing leachate releases and unsafe PFOA levels. Opioid settlement spending: A West Virginia Watch analysis found local governments spent nearly $10 million more of opioid settlement funds in 2024-25 than the prior year, with much going to law enforcement, jail bills, and EMS. Care access for families: The state launched the WV Kinship Hub, an online portal to help foster and kinship families find support and resources without sharing identifying details. Medigap warning: A report highlighted how the federal Medigap open enrollment protection is limited to a six-month window around age 65, making later switching harder for people with health conditions.

Health Coverage & Costs: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, will get $500 refunds tied to Obamacare “overcharges” from Biden-era exchange user fees. Local Health Access: West Virginia’s Office of Nutrition Services launched a mobile-friendly WIC data dashboard with updated participation, benefit redemption, breastfeeding info, and an interactive map of vendors and clinics. Public Health in Schools: Lewis County health officials addressed a scabies concern at Lewis County High School and clarified that scabies isn’t individually reportable unless there’s an outbreak or cluster. Organ Donation: Pocahontas Memorial Hospital earned a Donate Life West Virginia Platinum Award for April organ-donation outreach. Care Workforce & Clinics: Harris Regional Hospital added PA-C Tyler Arenas to its pulmonary and sleep center; Valley Health Shenandoah Medical Associates is accepting new patients in Front Royal. Rural Health Innovation: A national report highlights how states, including those using Rural Health Transformation Program funds, are backing rural health startups with a tech-investment approach. Opioid Spending Watch: A West Virginia Watch analysis finds local governments spent more opioid settlement money on law enforcement, jail bills, and EMS in 2024-2025 than the prior year. FDA Oversight: FDA inspection results show WVU’s Center for Reproductive Medicine received a “No Action Indicated” finding in August.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, will get $500 refunds for alleged federal Obamacare overcharges tied to Biden-era exchange “user fees.” Rural Health Funding: West Virginia’s health secretary expects the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program allocation to stay flat next year after receiving $199M in year one, aimed at rural care as Medicare cuts loom. Maternal & Child Nutrition: After storms and flooding, the West Virginia Department of Health says WIC families can use a “limited cooking facilities” food package with low-prep options statewide. Cancer Screening Access: WVU Medicine’s “Bonnie’s Bus” mobile mammography will make fall stops across multiple WV counties, offering 3D screening and help enrolling eligible patients in the state breast and cervical program. Workforce Pipeline: Vandalia Health will host a free nursing expo in Fairmont Sept. 23 to connect students and new grads with jobs and residency opportunities. Hospital Safety: Vandalia Health security leader Michael Walsh received the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for active-shooter training partnerships. Health & Wellness on Campus: WVU Student Wellness held its first semester resilience screening for students, with immediate results and clinician follow-up. Energy & Air Quality: Multiple reports cover EPA repeal of Biden-era greenhouse gas limits on coal and natural gas power plants, drawing both praise from WV coal leaders and criticism from environmental groups. Community Health Education: HHS supplemental funding will expand faith-based substance use prevention efforts in West Virginia and two other states.

Healthcare Access & Workforce: WVU Medicine is expanding its nursing pipeline, welcoming new students into the Aspiring Nurse Program at Garrett Regional Medical Center and Potomac Valley Hospital, with WVJC School of Nursing joining the partnership for the first time. Cancer Screening: LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, is scheduled to stop in Mercer, Nicholas and Clay counties in early October for low-dose CT scans, with uninsured residents potentially covered through grant funding. Breast Health: Bonnie’s Bus will also make multiple October stops across southern and central West Virginia, offering 3D mammograms and help enrolling in the state breast and cervical screening program for eligible patients. Child & Adult Safety: West Virginia launched WV VeriCheck, a new online portal to speed up and reduce errors in Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services background checks. Rural Health Funding: The state’s Ascend WV program is set to receive $2.4 million from rural health transformation funds to recruit healthcare professionals to rural communities. Policy & Environment: The EPA moves to repeal Biden-era greenhouse gas limits for coal and natural gas power plants, a shift critics say could raise pollution while supporters cite lower energy costs. Mental Health: The AFSP West Virginia chapter will host the Beckley-Raleigh County Out of the Darkness Community Walk Sept. 19 to support suicide prevention efforts. Child Welfare Oversight: Foster care numbers are trending down, but hundreds of West Virginia children still placed out of state, prompting legislative oversight questions about plans to bring them closer to home. Insurance Transparency: A national consumer group argues state insurance commissioners aren’t making homeowners insurance data public enough to help residents and policymakers understand the climate-driven coverage crisis.

Obamacare refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including West Virginia, will get $500 refunds for alleged Obamacare “overcharges” tied to federal exchange “user fees” collected during the Biden years. Cancer screening access: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer unit, LUCAS, will bring low-dose CT screenings to Mercer, Nicholas and Clay counties starting Oct. 6–9, with uninsured patients potentially covered through grant funding (appointments need to be booked 14+ days ahead). Breast cancer outreach: WVU Medicine’s Bonnie’s Bus will visit Mingo, Webster, Barbour, Logan, Harrison and Wyoming counties Oct. 6–9 for 3D mammograms, with help available for eligible uninsured/underinsured patients. Local care expansion: Welch Community Hospital opened a newly built clinic in McDowell County, built largely by hospital workers, aiming to improve access in a region with limited healthcare options. Mental health support: West Virginia leaders are pushing the 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, noting callers don’t have to be in an immediate crisis; First Choice Services is expanding call capacity, including a new Fairmont location. Reproductive health campaign: The Women’s Health Center of West Virginia launched a statewide ad push promoting abortion pills despite the state’s near-total abortion ban. Policy and air quality: The EPA moves to repeal Biden-era greenhouse gas limits for power plants, a change critics say could worsen air pollution and health impacts.

Mobile Health Access: West Virginia Hospital Association showcased mobile health units at the State Capitol, with Vandalia Health, WVU Medicine, Marshall Health Network, Appalachian Regional Healthcare and Boone Memorial Health offering free screenings and highlighting how outreach can reach rural gaps. Lung Cancer Screening: WVU Medicine’s LUCAS mobile lung cancer screening unit is set to visit Mercer, Nicholas and Clay counties in early October, offering low-dose CT scans with options for insured patients and grant-funded help for eligible uninsured residents. Rural Hospital Expansion: Vandalia Health’s new $30 million Mon Harrison Neighborhood Hospital in Charles Pointe is scheduled to open at month’s end, bringing an emergency department and inpatient/outpatient services to Harrison County. Public Health & Misinformation: A Charleston women’s clinic launched a campaign to direct residents to accurate information about abortion pills, aiming to counter misinformation amid the state’s near-total abortion ban. Medicaid Estate Recovery: A new report explains how Medicaid estate recovery can leave heirs with nothing even when a will names them as beneficiaries, underscoring how claims are paid before inheritances. Measles Update: A measles outbreak continues to grow nationally, with Pennsylvania reporting a third measles-related death and federal officials noting the state has not requested on-the-ground support. Workforce & Rural Care Funding: West Virginia’s health networks and leaders continue pushing rural health and workforce initiatives, including grants tied to expanding access and recruiting healthcare professionals. Safety & Community: A fatal shooting in Harts has led to murder charges, while local outreach efforts in Williamson focus on assisting people living outdoors before shifting to enforcement.

Healthcare Access & Prevention: WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, is set to visit Mercer, Nicholas, and Clay counties in early October, offering low-dose CT scans with appointments required at least 14 days ahead; uninsured West Virginians may qualify through grant support. Public Health & Food Assistance After Flooding: Upshur County residents are among those who may qualify for D-SNAP after the July 21 flooding, with applications running Sept. 21-25 at designated county sites. Workforce Health: Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation’s $612,000 grant will expand a workforce health model through Marshall Health Network, aiming to improve chronic disease management and reduce avoidable ER use. Mental Health & Policy Watch: A West Virginia Joint Committee on Health discussion highlighted growing interest in psilocybin research, with claims focused on PTSD and veteran suicide concerns. Community Health Events: Families gathered in Barbour County for a Huntington’s disease walk supporting research and support services. Public Health in the News: A CDC-linked report discussed a black lung surge in Appalachia, underscoring ongoing clinic and worker impacts. Housing & Health Enforcement: In Williamson, the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office shifted from a four-week outreach effort offering housing and medical help to enforcement of the city’s anti-camping ordinance.