AGP Executive Report

Health Access in Kansas City: LMH Health is nearing completion of Therapy Services renovations at Sixth and Maine, expanding space for about 35 therapists and specialty care (phased move in July, patient access in October). Care for People with Disabilities: Kansas appears poised to revive the Money Follows the Person program, which helps people with disabilities transition to living independently—after Kansas wound down its federal use in 2017. Nursing Home Oversight: CMS data show The Healthcare Resort of Kansas City (for-profit) held ownership by Gateway Healthcare and Ensign in Q1 2026, with an overall rating of 3. Workplace Health & Fairness: KU Health System pharmacy technicians lost a union vote by two votes, then contested results after additional ballots arrived postmarked before the deadline. Animal Health Alert: A new screwworm case in Texas has officials warning it could spread north, including to Kansas, as livestock move across states. Community Wellness: KC PrideFest drew thousands and included a Wellness Tent for self-care. Pet Care Relief: The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City offered free vet care to 1,000 pets in one day—appointments filled in under 7 hours.

Snake-bite recovery: A 2-year-old from Kansas City, Quinn Robertson, returned home after a near-fatal rattlesnake bite in Colorado sent her to Children’s Hospital Colorado for intensive care, including more than 30 vials of antivenom and a blood transfusion. Diabetes safety: Abbott released new data showing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is still often missed, with rising DKA-related hospitalizations and a need for earlier ketone detection. Mental health awareness: NAMI Kansas hosted a mall walking event at West Ridge Mall in northeast Kansas to raise mental health awareness and funds. Rural health & animal health: Kansas is stepping up education after a New World screwworm case was found in a Texas calf, warning ranchers about the invasive parasite that can devastate livestock. Affordable pet care: The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City provided free veterinary care to 1,000 pets in one day, filling all appointments in under 7 hours to help keep pets with families. Community legal support: CrossWinds and Kansas Legal Services will hold a free expungement and driver’s license clinic in Chase County on June 25.

World Cup Weather & Safety: Kansas City’s World Cup build-up is colliding with extreme storms—thunderstorms knocked out power and triggered flood/tornado warnings, raising concerns that climate-driven heat and humidity could disrupt the 38-day tournament. Privacy & Public Policy: Kansas lawmakers are pushing guardrails on license plate camera data sharing, as critics warn automated readers can enable long-term tracking of where people work, worship, and seek healthcare. Local Health Care Oversight: CMS data show Providence Place in Kansas City (Gateway Healthcare) earned a 4-star overall rating in Q1 2026 with no fines/penalties—an example of how staffing and inspection outcomes are shaping nursing home quality. Rural Care Access: Avel eCare, Great Plains Health Alliance, and Pioneer Health Network are partnering to expand rural care access across Kansas. Sports Medicine Watch: Minnesota’s Byron Buxton is under reassessment after a shoulder contusion after crashing into the outfield wall.

Rural Health Access: Avel eCare, Great Plains Health Alliance, and Pioneer Health Network are partnering with Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program support to expand telemedicine across rural hospitals, including emergency, inpatient, and behavioral health care. Water Safety: KDHE rescinded a Do Not Drink order for part of Reno County’s RWD 101 after lab results showed no bacterial contamination and pressure/chlorine risks were resolved, but infants under 6 months still need nitrate-safe water. Invasive Livestock Threat: Kansas is stepping up outreach after a New World screwworm case was detected in a Texas calf, warning ranchers about the parasite’s impact on animals and stressing it’s not a food-safety issue. Hospital Funding & Policy: Federal Medicaid work requirements guidance is raising alarms as states face a 2027 deadline and worry eligible people could lose coverage over paperwork and system failures. Health Care Legal Fight: Three major health systems sued CVS over alleged misuse of 340B drug-program savings, arguing funds meant for safety-net hospitals were diverted. Local Health Support: Wheatland Electric’s United Way of Central Kansas received a $2,500 grant to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Great Bend, aiming to boost early literacy for children ages 0–5. Kansas Health System Deal: Ascension closed its AmSurg acquisition after FTC scrutiny, with divestitures in overlapping markets to address price concerns.

World Cup health & safety in Kansas City: FIFA says fans can’t bring capped water bottles into Kansas City Stadium, even though water will be sold inside—citing safety, security, and heat-mitigation plans. Infectious-disease watch for visitors: A Topeka infectious disease specialist says rare outbreaks like Ebola and hantavirus are unlikely from stadium proximity, but common illnesses (flu, COVID, RSV, norovirus, measles) are the bigger concern for travelers. CPR push with local ties: The American Heart Association and NWSL expanded CPR and AED education, naming a 2026 “Nation of Lifesavers” ambassador class that includes Kansas City Current’s Lo’eau LaBonta. Local public health alert: Russell County Rural Water District #4 issued a boil water advisory after a pressure loss from a water leak; residents are told to boil water before drinking/food prep and follow disinfection steps. Community health access: KU Athletics partnered with The Good Game for a new app delivering lessons, camps, and clinics via a “digital passport” for youth sports. Sports with wellness angles: Kansas City’s World Cup crowd is also driving attention to hydration and illness prevention as international fans arrive.

New World screwworm alert: Kansas health and animal officials are stepping up their response after a confirmed New World screwworm case was found in a 3-week-old calf in Texas, with Kansas warning ranchers and pet owners to watch for symptoms and expect possible animal-movement restrictions around the infested zone. Public health capacity: A national report says weakened public health powers after COVID-era backlash are raising outbreak risks, while some states have limited how quickly officials can declare emergencies. Food access in Kansas communities: Salem, Kansas-area coverage highlights a new El Torito Supermarket plan aimed at filling a downtown “food desert,” supported by city grants and paired with mental-health response efforts. Livestock heat safety: K-State guidance focuses on practical ways to reduce heat stress in cattle, including monitoring comfort conditions and adjusting water and shade strategies. Local air concerns: Galena residents are pushing back on a landfill they say is worsening hydrogen sulfide odors and smoke. Road safety funding pressure: National reporting flags that major road repairs are still lagging and that federal funding timelines could affect safety work.

Behavioral Health Access: Douglas County leaders are exploring a “clubhouse model” for adults living with serious mental illness, aiming for a non-clinical, peer-led support space by 2028 that also helps with co-occurring substance use. Medicare & Nursing Home Oversight: CMS reports highlight mixed nursing home performance in Kansas—Twin Oaks Health and Rehab ranks No. 2 in Leavenworth County with a top overall rating, while Atchison Senior Village Rehabilitation and Nursing lands lower with a 1-star overall rating and multiple fines. Disability Benefits Pressure: Social Security Administration staffing cuts and process changes are making it harder to apply for disability benefits, with advocates warning of longer delays and less transparency. Health Care Innovation in Kansas: KU Cancer Center is expanding CAR T-cell therapy access, and local hospitals are adding services and funding to grow rural care capacity. Public Health & Safety: A Pittsburg officer-involved shooting sent a man to the emergency department; the KBI is investigating. Policy Watch: Kansas Board of Regents is considering accelerated 3-year bachelor’s degrees, with nursing experts urging careful review of workforce readiness.

World Cup Stadium Rules: FIFA reversed course and now bans reusable water bottles at 2026 World Cup venues in North America, a change that could also affect refilling at water stations. Public Safety & Health: Emporia’s UNBOUND Gravel weekend drove a surge in emergency calls for Lyon County dispatchers, including traffic incidents and medical calls. Local Governance: Residents packed an Emporia City Commission meeting to oppose the proposed Flint Hills Digital Campus, raising concerns about water use, power demand, noise, and transparency. Healthcare Access: A judge approved Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice to receive knee treatment while serving jail time. Kansas Health Funding: Kansas leaders are questioning why federal healthcare research dollars haven’t been released, citing stalled NIH grant distribution that can slow work on cancer, dementia, diabetes, and rare diseases. Senior & Community Health: A Kansas City-area senior living downsizing story highlights how operators support residents through the move. Fraud & Benefits: A Tonganoxie woman was sentenced to 15 months for stealing a dead relative’s identity to collect about $450,000 in federal and state benefits.

School Phone Policy Watch: Kansas has joined the growing list of states moving toward stricter cellphone rules in classrooms, as new research and a Surgeon General advisory question whether “phone-free” bans deliver the promised benefits for kids’ well-being. PFAS Testing Breakthrough: University of Kansas researchers are testing a faster, cheaper lab method to detect ultra-low PFAS levels in drinking water, aiming to make monitoring more practical as “forever chemicals” concerns keep rising. Rural Health Funding: Kansas health systems and clinics are receiving major support through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, including grants tied to Stormont Vail Health and other area providers. Nursing Home Quality Checks: CMS data shows mixed results across Kansas facilities, including a Clearwater Nursing & Rehabilitation Center receiving the lowest Q1 2026 rating and other homes earning 3- or 4-star scores. Community Support That Works: A Douglas County supportive housing program is credited with an estimated $108,000 in public service savings by helping chronically homeless residents stabilize housing. Public Health & Safety Alerts: Kansas City police are searching for a missing 65-year-old man with medical conditions, raising concerns about urgent care needs.

Rural Health Funding: KDHE awarded nearly $5.47M to the PrairieLINK Health Alliance, a multi-county partnership led by Stormont Vail Health to improve access and coordination for rural care. Hospital Accountability: The University of Kansas Hospital Authority sued CVS, alleging the pharmacy giant fraudulently diverted about $62M in 340B prescription savings and retaliated after KU sought an audit. New Patient Support: Children’s Mercy Kansas introduced Benny, a facility dog, to help comfort kids and families during exams and procedures. ADHD Drug Update: FDA declined to approve Cingulate’s ADHD treatment CTx-1301 due to manufacturing concerns, with no safety or effectiveness issues flagged. Allergy Research: A microneedle “stamp” trial for peanut allergy is underway, aiming to desensitize patients through skin-based immune targeting. Safety Reminder: Kansas Governor Laura Kelly proclaimed June 2026 National Safety Month, urging workplace injury prevention. Community Health & Access: Kansas City leaders and health experts are preparing for disease-related concerns as World Cup visitors arrive. Injury & Recovery: A Kansas City-area bicyclist was flown to Children’s Mercy after being struck by an SUV, and Messi trained separately in Kansas City while managing hamstring fatigue.

Rural Health Funding: Kansas lawmakers say a rural hospital program extension is moving through the Senate, aiming to keep care available close to home. Infectious Disease Watch: Kansas City health experts tell residents World Cup visitors won’t bring “new” threats—common colds, coughs, and stomach bugs are the main concern, plus tick and mosquito prevention and hydration. Tick Season Alert: ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with Lyme disease the most common tick-borne illness; quick removal matters. Native Health Expansion: Haskell Indian Nations University and the Indian Health Service signed an agreement to build a new clinic on campus, expanding training and health access. Neuro Rehab Growth: Neuro RehabCare Kansas City is expanding advanced stroke and neurological rehabilitation services. Workforce Hardship: A year after federal layoffs, displaced workers are still rebuilding lives—an ongoing ripple effect for families in the region. Health Care Business Moves: Ensign Group announced acquisitions of a 62-bed skilled nursing facility in Iowa and a 46-unit memory care property in California. Community Health Access: NKC Health and Blue KC reached an agreement to keep clinics and hospitals in-network.

Rural Health Funding: Sen. Moran praised nearly $80M in KDHE federal investments for 39 Kansas hospitals, including PRMC and Iroquois Center, as rural care needs keep growing. Surgical Access Upgrade: Clay County Medical Center won a $2.536M KDHE Rural Health Transformation grant to buy a da Vinci 5 surgical robot, expanding minimally invasive options in general surgery, gynecology, and urology. Nursing Pipeline: Kansas launched a free Kansas Nursing School Guide to help future nurses compare pre-licensure programs across the state. Heart Failure Care: New AI research flagged heart failure patients who look stable but are undertreated, aiming for earlier, more proactive treatment. Community Mental Health: A Zero Reasons Why fun run in Allen County drew about 60 participants to support local mental health efforts. Public Health Alert: KDHE issued an advisory for Eureka Lake swim beach due to elevated E. coli, with follow-up testing planned. Everyday Movement: K-State Extension’s Walk Kansas and related guidance highlight how frequent activity breaks can improve energy and metabolic markers. Food Security: Reporting notes thousands of Kansas kids lost food assistance after SNAP changes.

Rural Health Funding: Kansas health leaders are set to receive nearly $80M to strengthen rural care statewide through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program, with area hospitals among the beneficiaries. Mental Health in the Community: A Kansas City walk brought people together for mental health awareness, emphasizing support for caregivers, people with disabilities, and underserved groups. Food Access for Kids: Salina USD 305 kicks off free summer meals Monday, offering breakfast and lunch for ages 1–18 with no registration, plus activities and book giveaways through June 30. Cancer Care Update: New patient-reported results from a KU Medical Center-led trial found adjuvant pembrolizumab modestly increases fatigue and shortness of breath after surgery for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, without lowering overall quality of life. Workforce & Injury Awareness: Wichita-area workforce centers highlight “tools of the trade” job openings, while local sports coverage flags hamstring and elbow issues that could affect players’ availability. Local Health & Safety: A Kansas City jazz lounge closed temporarily after an HVAC fire, with operations moving next door while repairs are underway.

Parkinson’s Care Expansion: Leawood’s Parkinson’s Exercise and Wellness Center is growing services as diagnoses rise, with local leaders pointing to movement-based support as a way to fight isolation. Cancer Treatment Update (Kansas Medical Center): New patient-reported results from the AMBASSADOR trial found adjuvant pembrolizumab after surgery for high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial cancer can modestly increase fatigue and shortness of breath, without lowering overall health-related quality of life—information meant to guide supportive care decisions. Community Mental Health: A Kansas City walk—“Completely Uplifted: Mind, Body & SOUL”—brought residents together to talk about mental health, healing, and support for caregivers and underserved groups. Rural Health Funding: KDHE awarded nearly $80M to strengthen rural health care statewide, including area hospitals, as Kansas continues expanding access. Workforce & Training Support: Salina Area Technical College received a $50,000 donation to boost scholarships for allied health and skilled trades programs. Safety Tech at the World Cup: England’s World Cup base in Prairie Village, Kansas is set up with layered security, including drone countermeasures and a no-fly zone, as organizers plan for rapid medical response. Sports Health Watch: Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz is set for an MRI after right hamstring tightness, while Kansas City’s Maikel Garcia is also being evaluated after a hamstring strain.

Rural Health Funding: Kansas health leaders say KDHE awarded nearly $80M to strengthen rural care, including $7.9M to 39 organizations and support through the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Program. Hospital Expansion: Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center won a $2.5M state grant to expand surgical capabilities with a da Vinci 5 robotic system. Maternal Care Recognition: HaysMed honored a Birth Center nurse with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, highlighting patient-centered support during childbirth. Public Health Access: Kansas City hosted a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic at Swope Park to help families keep pets and reduce shelter pressure. Emergency Response: Three Kansas City firefighters were injured while battling a heavy fire at a vacant three-story apartment building; no civilians were found inside. Safety & Accidents: A Lawrence woman was hospitalized after a hydroplaning crash on I-70, and a Thomas County crash sent a driver to medical care after a pickup hit a utility trailer. Food Assistance: Kansas Appleseed warns thousands of low-income children lost SNAP food aid after federal changes.

Rural Health Funding Boost: Kansas’ KDHE awarded nearly $80M to health care organizations statewide to strengthen rural care, including regional partnerships and rural emergency hospital conversion support. Local Hospital Expansion: Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center won a $2.5M state grant to expand surgical capabilities, including a da Vinci 5 robotic system for minimally invasive procedures. Nursing Spotlight: HaysMed recognized Sheylynn Eickhoff, RN, with the DAISY Award for extraordinary patient-centered care at the Birth Center. Food Access Pressure: Reporting says 10,000 Kansas children lost food assistance after voters sat out in 2024, adding to concerns about SNAP coverage. Safety Alerts: A minibike driver in Kansas City was hospitalized in critical condition after a crash; separately, a motorcycle rider in western Kansas was injured when a deer struck him on I-70. Community Health & Wellness: A documentary screening in Wichita highlighted how adult illiteracy can create real health and economic barriers, pushing for early reading support.