AGP Executive Report

Wichita Tragedy: A pickup drove onto a youth soccer field at Stryker Sports Complex, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injuring at least 10 others. The driver was released as the investigation continues. Medicare Fraud: A Johnson County software CEO was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a scheme that generated fake medical-equipment orders, leading to more than $450 million in insurer payments and affecting hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries. Weight-Loss Drug Safety: Doctors and regulators are raising concerns as some GLP-1 users turn to supplements for side effects; supplements don’t require FDA approval before sale. Rural Health Care: HaysMed’s new general surgeon says he’s eager to serve rural Kansas. Benedictine College is also moving ahead with plans for a medical school focused on Catholic medical ethics. Seasonal Prevention: A timely reminder to get this year’s flu and COVID vaccines as respiratory-virus season approaches.

Women’s Health: President Trump ordered a new NIH division and White House task force to expand women’s health research. Wichita Tragedy: Two people, including a 6-year-old boy, were killed and 11 injured when a pickup drove onto a youth soccer field. Police released the driver as they await toxicology results and continue investigating. Health Care Fraud: A Kansas health care company CEO was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme. Training Rural Doctors: Benedictine College is moving ahead with a proposed medical school focused on Catholic medical ethics, while HaysMed has welcomed a new general surgeon to serve rural patients.

Wichita Crash: Two people, including 6-year-old Cole Adrian, were killed and 10 injured when a pickup drove onto a youth soccer field at Stryker Sports Complex. Police released the 34-year-old driver while toxicology and vehicle tests are pending; no charges have been filed. Youth Online Safety: Kansas is among eight states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT can expose children to harmful interactions, including dangerous medical advice and encouragement of self-harm, while misleading users about its safety. Health Care Fraud: A Kansas man was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme.

Wichita Crash: A pickup drove onto a youth soccer field Saturday, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man and injuring 10 others. Police released the 34-year-old driver pending toxicology results and a vehicle examination; no charges have been filed. Health Care Fraud: A Kansas CEO was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a scheme that used false doctors’ orders and prescriptions to bilk Medicare and other federal health programs of more than $1 billion. Rural Health Access: A new survey finds rural voters rank health care costs and access to local medical care among their major concerns, alongside the rising cost of living. Youth Wellbeing: Kansas joined a multistate lawsuit accusing OpenAI of putting children at risk and misleading parents about ChatGPT’s safety.

Wichita Tragedy: A pickup drove onto a youth soccer field at Stryker Sports Complex, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man. Ten people, including five children, were hospitalized with traumatic injuries; another adult received care for an unrelated medical issue. The 34-year-old driver is in custody, and police are investigating how and why the truck entered the field. Rural Health Access: A national survey finds rural voters are increasingly worried about health care costs and access to medical care close to home. Three-quarters rate their community’s cost of living as fair or poor, and health expenses rank among their chief concerns.

Stroke Recovery: A Lenexa woman who survived a stroke is sharing her story to encourage others to seek help and build support for survivors. Cancer Awareness: Former Kansas City Chiefs player Paul Dombroski is urging men to watch for breast cancer signs after his diagnosis and mastectomy; the disease is rare in men, but early attention matters. Youth Mental Health: Kansas joined seven states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT harmed children and misled families about safety. The claims are being contested. Eating Disorder Care: KU’s eating disorders center invited the public to an open house, highlighting local services and support. Rural Health: A new survey finds rural voters rank health care costs and access among their biggest concerns—issues that resonate across Kansas communities.

Measles Watch: U.S. cases have topped 4,400, nearly double last year’s high. Kansas is among states working with the CDC on outbreak response as falling vaccination rates raise concern. Fall Vaccines: Lawrence-area physicians recommend flu shots for everyone 6 months and older, with October a good time to get vaccinated; COVID vaccine decisions depend on age, health and vaccination history. Eating Disorder Care: KU’s research center will host a public open house Oct. 23, with information on care and wellness, screening and referrals. Cancer Awareness: A Kansas City journalist diagnosed with breast cancer at 26 is sharing her experience to encourage young women to notice warning signs and seek care. Health Care Accountability: A Kansas CEO was sentenced to 19 years in a $1 billion Medicare telemedicine fraud scheme. Safe Water: KDHE issued a boil-water advisory for parts of Hoisington.

Public Health: KDHE issued a boil-water advisory for portions of Hoisington. Residents should check local guidance before using tap water. Women’s Health: A University of Kansas Health System OB-GYN says perimenopause is often overlooked, even by doctors; symptoms can begin years before menopause. Breast-screening guidance generally starts mammograms at 40, with frequency depending on risk and the recommendations a patient follows. Rural Care: A KFF/AP survey finds rural voters increasingly worried about living costs, health care expenses and access to medical care—concerns that resonate in Kansas communities. Local Prevention: Your Community Foundation awarded $3,400 to the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department for portable ECG equipment for youth heart screenings. Consumer Protection: Kansas Medicare beneficiaries are urged to guard their Medicare numbers and review benefit statements for services they did not receive. Child Safety: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is moving to sue OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT poses risks to children. The action is part of a broader multistate effort.

Child Safety: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT can expose children to dangerous advice and encourage self-harm or violence. The claims have not been proven in court; OpenAI says it has age-specific safeguards. Rural Health: A national survey of rural voters found that 75% rate their local cost of living as fair or poor, with health care costs and access to care among major concerns—issues that resonate across Kansas. Cancer Awareness: Kansas City breast cancer survivor Stephanie Verbraken says a routine mammogram found her cancer despite having no lump or warning signs. She’s sharing her experience ahead of the Oct. 24 Making Strides walk and speaking openly about the mental strain of treatment. Mental Health Response: Wyandotte County prosecutors declined to charge an officer in the July fatal shooting of Bruce Thomas, who had bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. His mother had sought help for him, and the case has renewed calls for better mental health crisis responses.

Child Safety: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined seven other states suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT exposed children to dangerous advice and misled parents about safety. The company says it has safeguards and will keep improving them. Safe Water: KDHE issued a boil-water advisory for Nicodemus after equipment problems reduced chlorine levels, creating a risk of bacterial contamination. Follow the advisory until KDHE lifts it. Rural Care: A new rural-voter survey highlights concerns Kansans know well: rising living costs, health care bills and limited access to medical care. Medicare Fraud: A Kansas businessman was sentenced to 19 years in prison for a telemedicine scheme that billed Medicare and other federal programs more than $1 billion for medically unnecessary equipment.

AI Safety: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined seven other states in suing OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT puts children and other users at risk and misleads consumers about safety. The states seek stronger safeguards and penalties; the claims have not been proven in court. Water Safety: A boil-water advisory was issued for Admire and Allen in Lyon County. Health Coverage: Medicaid work requirements are set to begin Jan. 1, and enrollees are being urged to prepare. Medical Debt: Kansas nonprofits are working to erase $34 million in medical debt for about 21,000 residents. Prevention: Kansas measles cases have risen to five, while a flu-shot clinic is scheduled in McLouth on Oct. 21. Rural Care: A recent survey highlights rural voters’ concerns about healthcare costs and access to medical care in their communities.

Water Safety: KDHE issued a boil-water advisory for Admire and Allen after the systems could not maintain required chlorine levels. Boil water for one minute or use bottled water until the advisory is lifted. Measles: Kansas cases have risen to five, adding urgency to vaccination and exposure precautions. Rural Care: A new survey finds rural residents rank health-care costs and access among their top concerns—issues that resonate in Kansas communities. Community Health: De Soto data-center plans face local concerns about possible effects on health, noise, water use and electricity rates; the developer is offering nearby residents $1,000 a year as it seeks approval. Mental Wellness: A Topeka conference put menopause in the spotlight, while Kansas State research has highlighted mental-health stigma in agricultural communities.

Overdose Warning: Kansas health officials are monitoring cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reported to be far more potent than fentanyl. Standard fentanyl test strips may not detect it, and an overdose may require multiple doses of naloxone. It has not been confirmed in Douglas County. Women’s Health: A Topeka conference on Oct. 30 will examine how menopause affects mental health and address gaps in care raised by women seeking help. Cancer Screening: Munson Army Health Center staff urged breast cancer screenings, sharing how routine mammograms can catch cancer early and how delayed access to preventive care can have serious consequences. Mental Health: The Center for Counseling & Consultation received a $411,370 grant for suicide prevention. Infectious Disease: Kansas measles cases have risen to five.

Health Access: Ellis County commissioners are weighing an extra $22,500 for ACCESS public transportation, which helps residents reach services; no funding decision has been made. Infectious Disease: Kansas measles cases have risen to five. The CDC says it has supported Kansas and other states responding to outbreaks. Mental Health: The Center for Counseling & Consultation received a $411,370 VA suicide-prevention grant. Medical Debt: Organizations plan to erase $34 million in medical debt for about 21,000 Kansans.

Medicare Coverage: Kansas is among 16 states with counties that will lack a general Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage in 2027, a KFF analysis found. People affected should compare coverage and costs during open enrollment, Oct. 15-Dec. 7. Water Safety: KDHE warned people to stay out of a stretch of McIntyre Creek in Pottawatomie County after a wastewater discharge raised bacteria levels. Keep children and pets out, too. Medical Costs: A Kansas City Star review found Sen. Roger Marshall’s former medical practice charged patients 18% annual interest—the highest rate among about 150 practices reviewed. Separately, organizations plan to erase $34 million in medical debt for 21,000 Kansas residents. Mental Health: NAMI Kansas held a conference focused on awareness and support, while the state’s annual child death report highlights youth suicide prevention. Safe Medication Disposal: Pittsburg Police will host a free prescription drug take-back event Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the police department.

Veteran Mental Health: The Center for Counseling & Consultation in Great Bend received a $411,370 VA grant to expand suicide-prevention support for veterans and families across four rural counties. NICU Care: Overland Park volunteer Terry Berggren was honored for holding more than 540 babies. Hospital staff say human touch can help stabilize premature infants. Measles Watch: Kansas cases have risen to five, though health officials report no community transmission. Medical Debt: A debt-relief effort is set to erase $34 million owed by 21,000 Kansas residents. Youth Suicide Prevention: A new Kansas child-death report highlights warning signs and the need for stronger suicide-prevention efforts for young people.