AGP Executive Report

Measles Watch: Kansas cases have risen from two to five, all linked to out-of-state travel; officials report no broader community spread and urge people to check their vaccination status. Rural Care: Rep. Sharice Davids introduced a healthcare package that would restore ACA premium tax credits and raise Medicare reimbursement limits to help rural hospitals maintain surgical services. Brain Disease Research: Kansas City’s Stowers Institute will receive about $4.1 million from a $28.6 million research effort to study harmful protein changes and help predict neurodegenerative diseases earlier. Local Support: Catholic Charities has opened a Concordia family support center offering basic necessities, emergency assistance and connections to affordable mental health counseling.

Rural Care: Clara Barton Medical Center has added Wichita-born family physician Dr. Savannah Bender, whose interests include lifestyle medicine, women’s health and mental health. Diabetes Support: K-State Extension is offering a “Dining with Diabetes” class on healthy meals, portion sizes and practical management strategies. Disease Watch: Kansas measles cases have risen to five, with no community spread reported; the state has also recorded 12 West Nile cases this year, including two in south-central Kansas. Health Funding: Sen. Jerry Moran announced investments in Kansas health care. Separately, nonprofits plan to erase $34 million in medical debt for 21,000 Kansans, and a Crawford County mental health center received a $442,016 grant to support veterans. Behavioral Health: The Health Innovation Network of Kansas is expanding mental health resources for people in agriculture.

Infectious Disease: Kansas measles cases have risen to five, though officials report no community transmission. The state has also logged 12 West Nile cases this year, including two in south-central Kansas, where risk is high; health officials advise covering up, draining standing water and using DEET. Veterans’ Mental Health: Crawford County’s mental health center received a $442,016 grant to support veterans. Medical Costs: Nonprofits are working to erase $34 million in medical debt for 21,000 Kansans, offering relief to families facing unpaid bills. Youth Well-Being: A new Kansas report highlights warning signs in youth suicide deaths, underscoring the importance of recognizing when young people may need help.

Veterans’ Mental Health: Crawford County Mental Health Center won a $442,016 federal grant to create a walk-in resource hub for veterans and families across four southeast Kansas counties. Services will include peer support, behavioral health care, suicide-risk screening and help finding housing and benefits. Youth Suicide Prevention: Kansas’ Child Death Review Board reports 31 children died by suicide in 2024, up from 24 the year before. More than half had shared suicidal thoughts beforehand; the board urges early recognition and support. Pediatric Care: Children’s Mercy is opening a Shawnee clinic offering walk-in care for minor illnesses and injuries alongside pediatric orthopedic and sports medicine services, with evening and weekend hours. Rural Health: The Kansas Health Institute will support local organizations seeking new rural health transformation grants, as providers look for resources to strengthen care outside urban centers. Access to Care: A Kansas City-area initiative provided 1,000 students with free eye exams and prescription glasses.

Children’s Vision: A five-day Kansas City clinic is providing about 1,000 K–12 students with free eye exams and prescription glasses. Cancer Care: Kansas City mom Sabrina Dotson was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at 34 after finding a lump while nursing; she says daily routines, including dance breaks, help her choose joy amid treatment. Food Access: Kanbe’s Markets marks 10 years of rescuing surplus produce and routing it to food pantries and affordable neighborhood stores. Water Safety: KDHE issued a bacteria advisory for McIntyre Creek and connected waterways, including parts of Tuttle Creek Lake and the Kansas River, after a wastewater discharge. Rural Health: Kansas seniors are urging lawmakers to prioritize rural health care and transportation, as some residents face long trips to reach doctors and grocery stores.

Youth Health: Lawrence leaders want tougher tobacco licensing rules after public health officials highlighted the city’s high density of tobacco retailers. A temporary pause on new licenses and tighter limits could follow. Water Safety: KDHE warned people to avoid McIntyre Creek near Tuttle Creek Lake after a wastewater discharge raised bacteria levels. Rural Care: The Kansas Health Institute will support Kansas organizations seeking newly announced Rural Health Transformation grants. Medical Education: Wichita’s Riverside Health Foundation gave $1.3 million to fund scholarships for Kansas medical students, helping ease the cost of training future doctors. Energy Drinks: Doctors say Big 12 sponsorships could make high-caffeine drinks seem safer to young fans, including those who look up to KU and Kansas State athletes.

Kansas Senate Shake-Up: The Cook Political Report flipped the Kansas U.S. Senate race from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up,” citing a drag from rising costs and President Trump’s unpopularity even in red states, as Roger Marshall’s medical-debt controversy and hostile debate moments keep fueling voter anger. Health Access & Costs: Kansas Health Science University received $1.3 million in scholarships from Riverside Health Foundation to help more students afford medical school and return to serve rural Kansas. Caregiving Recognition: Home Health and Hospice of Dickinson County honored Kristen Hajek and Dr. Megan Brown for leadership and excellence in home care and hospice. Medicare Help in Kansas: SHICK counselors will offer no-cost, unbiased Medicare Open Enrollment guidance across Manhattan, Salina, and Emporia starting Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Driver License Reinstatement: A Wichita clinic helped Kansans resolve suspended-license cases in one stop, aiming to break the “snowball” of fines, fees, and missed insurance. Community Health Support: Topeka’s Street Team Ministry is taking applications for small home-repair help (up to $500 in materials and one day of labor) for November. Local Hero Moment: A Leawood dog led police to an owner who’d fallen and couldn’t get up for hours, and the resident is recovering at home.

Trans rights court fight: Kansas lawmakers Stephanie Byers and Abi Boatman are speaking out ahead of a Douglas County judge’s ruling over SB 244, which limits restroom access for transgender people and ties driver’s licenses to sex at birth. Local health care access: U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids introduced legislation aimed at lowering ACA premium burdens for Kansas families and boosting support for rural hospitals, including updating Medicare reimbursement rules. Campaign photo dispute: Tall Oaks Camp and Conference Center in Linwood demanded Sen. Roger Marshall stop a commercial that used an unauthorized photo of children, saying it falsely links the camp to allegations involving a church volunteer. Community wellness event: The 24th annual Flint Hills Senior Life Fair is set for Oct. 21 in Emporia, with free resources, rides for those who need them, and lunch available for a fee. Mental health in schools: Derby Public Schools is moving forward with a renewed Mental Health Intervention Team program for the 2026-27 school year, keeping support in middle and high schools. Public health research: A University of Kansas Medical Center study suggests people who feel less weight stigma may benefit more from group weight-loss therapy than individual sessions.

Veterans’ Care Expansion (Kansas): A new VA clinic is under construction in Junction City, a 46,000-square-foot facility expected to be the largest in the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, with on-site radiology and women’s health services, slated for completion by winter 2028. Medical Debt Relief (Kansas): Nonprofits say they’ll erase nearly $34 million in medical debt for 21,490 Kansans, with eligibility tied to income and debt burden. Community Health Access (Kansas): Topeka is collecting resident feedback to improve city buildings’ ADA compliance, aiming to shape priorities and budgeting for accessibility upgrades. Healthcare & Courts (Kansas): A Topeka man died after a shootout with police during a protective order violation investigation; the KBI is reviewing what happened. Local Health Leadership (Kansas): CPESN USA named Sanjay Patel as its 2026 Luminary of the Year, highlighting community pharmacy clinical services and public health work. Election & Health Policy (Kansas): A new poll shows the Kansas U.S. Senate race tied between Roger Marshall and Adam Hamilton, with healthcare access and Medicaid subsidies a key contrast. School Closures (Olathe): The Olathe Board voted to close six schools, citing enrollment and financial pressures, with boundary changes planned for early 2027.

Organ Preservation Breakthrough: University of Kansas researchers are advancing Project COOLER, aiming to store donated kidneys longer by rapidly cooling them without damaging ice—potentially expanding transplant access for rural Kansans. Military Health Accountability: Soldiers wounded in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait told AP the Army’s medical system failed them, raising questions about readiness and follow-up care. Public Health Watch: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak has topped 1,000 cases, with hundreds hospitalized and multiple deaths reported—highlighting the stakes of vaccination. Local Health & Safety: A 68-year-old woman was seriously injured in a Manhattan vehicle-pedestrian crash, and Concordia Fire & EMS reported multiple recent medical transports and one cancelled response. Community Wellness: The YMCA of Topeka is joining Greater Wichita YMCA to expand programs across six Kansas counties. Health Policy & Access: Kansas Supreme Court swore in new Justice K. Christopher Jayaram, whose background includes work tied to Children’s Mercy Hospital. Health Tech & Care: A report discusses how physicians are increasingly using AI tools and the privacy risks patients may face.

Perinatal Mental Health: Kansas City’s Postpartum Support International hosted “The Climb,” a community walk and fundraiser at Loose Park to connect new parents with free support for postpartum anxiety and depression. Homelessness & Housing: City Union Mission announced plans to expand its Kansas City shelter capacity by nearly 40% after bed nights rose from 85,000 to 118,000, citing housing costs, addiction, mental health needs, and food insecurity. Community Health Resources: Another local effort links Kansas City parents to perinatal health and resources, aiming to reduce isolation for families. Public Health & Safety: Tonganoxie residents rallied against Project Bluestem, a proposed hyperscale data center, arguing it could harm community health and quality of life. Sports Injuries (Health angle): The Chiefs’ Week 4 win over the Raiders came with major receiver injuries—Tyquan Thornton’s dislocated ankle and Rashee Rice’s hamstring—prompting renewed attention to recovery and medical follow-up.

Food Safety Update: A Kansas-linked alfalfa sprout outbreak has grown to 76 illnesses across 16 states, with E. coli and Salmonella traced to seed lot SAL2-24JB and recalls widening as more people get sick. Community Health: Free cancer screening events are planned in Salina on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, with no insurance needed for skin, prostate, and take-home colorectal kits at Tammy Walker Cancer Center. Workforce & Health Policy: Kansas employers filed 373 H-1B petitions in 2025 in the Educational Services industry, including major filings from KU Medical Center and USD 501 Topeka Public Schools. Mental Health in the Spotlight: A Kansas City public art installation, “Don’t Be a Monster,” is running during Mental Health Awareness Week to prompt people to confront hidden trauma and seek help. Sports & Wellness Interest: BYU swept No. 19 Kansas in women’s volleyball in Lawrence, while the Chiefs open Week 4 hosting the Raiders in a high-stakes AFC West matchup. Local Politics & Health Tech: A Kansas gubernatorial race is heating up over data centers and AI, with Democratic nominee Cindy Holscher pushing for a moratorium.

Pediatric Sleep Access: A landmark Medicaid study finds kids’ sleep testing varies wildly across the U.S., with some states seeing rates up to four times higher—raising equity alarms for families who rely on public coverage. Disability Survey Cuts: Federal health officials are redesigning the National Health Interview Survey for 2028, proposing to drop detailed questions on hearing aids, fatigue, and mobility devices like wheelchairs—potentially limiting how disability needs are tracked nationwide. Kansas Health Care & Policy: Kansas City’s Gracie Hunt highlighted a Chiefs tradition that has raised $7.5M for Ronald McDonald House Kansas City, supporting families during children’s medical care. Road Safety: A wrong-way crash on Wichita’s I-135 ramp killed one woman and critically injured another, underscoring ongoing seatbelt and impaired-driving risks. Community Health Support: Topeka and Wichita-area YMCA expansions aim to broaden reach across multiple Kansas counties, focusing on healthier access to programs. Local Power Disruption: An Olpe crash knocked out power for about 30 Evergy customers for roughly two hours.

Medicare Costs & Politics: President Trump says he’ll send nearly $90 checks to 20 million seniors to help cover Medicare Part B premiums, adding to a busy election-year mix of federal giveaways. Road Safety: A multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 59 in Franklin County left 2 dead and 3 injured, with Kansas Highway Patrol reporting everyone was wearing restraints. Fire Safety: Two adults were displaced after a 2-alarm house fire in Overland Park; one firefighter was hospitalized for exertion but is stable. Community Health & Access: Derby Recreation Center in Kansas is reopening its indoor pool after renovations and adding new fitness equipment for members. Healthcare Costs: A Nevada Walmart pharmacy complaint highlights sudden prescription price jumps, raising questions about billing and insurance processing. Immigration Stress on Health: Reporting from southwest Kansas describes fear and disruption after ICE raids, with families delaying normal routines and community groups stepping in to deliver meals. Local Housing Support: Lawrence’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board will review 12 applications for about $3.3 million in trust-fund requests.

Affordable Housing: Lawrence’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board will review 12 applications seeking about $3.3M from the city’s trust fund, with $700,000 available for the 2027 cycle. Care Economy: KU researchers released new Care Board data on paid and unpaid care work, estimating the paid care workforce at nearly 48 million workers nationwide. Public Health & Food Security: A report highlights how SNAP cuts don’t cut hunger, while Kansas faces rising state costs as federal support for SNAP administration shrinks. Healthcare Access: A Leavenworth woman with cerebral palsy says she’s been stuck in bed for weeks waiting on wheelchair repairs, with fixes delayed until late October. Cancer Awareness: A Kansas City-area story explains how to spot possible signs of breast cancer and why clinical exams matter. Community Wellness: Topeka and the Greater Wichita YMCA plan to expand into a six-county service area to bridge health and wellness gaps. Local Health Infrastructure: KCKCC cut the ribbon on a $67M downtown health and wellness center, supported by a $3M federal appropriation. Disability & Mobility: Kansas City police report a pedestrian in critical condition after running into oncoming traffic at Gillham Plaza. Caregiving Research: KU psychologists found sibling aggression is more common than many assume, urging parents to take it seriously.

Disaster Relief for Health Care: TRICARE authorized temporary prescription refill waivers for Kansas beneficiaries through Oct. 12 after flooding and severe weather, with instructions to use a TRICARE retail network pharmacy or contact Express Scripts if labels are missing. Food Safety Alert: An E. coli and salmonella outbreak tied to packaged produce/sprouts has sickened more people and added hospitalizations, with FDA/CDC investigating specific sprout products and urging customers to discard or return recalled items. Community Health Access: Northeast Regional Medical Center expanded services to include vascular surgery, adding more specialty care locally. Caregiving & Safety at Home: A Leawood police officer found an injured resident after following a dog that barked for help; the resident had been down for more than three hours. Public Health & Prevention: Kansas communities are organizing vaccine and health-focused events, including walk-in mammograms and local clinics for October awareness efforts. Health Costs & Drug Prices: Kansas is included in a coalition seeking court approval of a $400 million settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug overcharging and competition limits. Volunteer Support: Volunteer Kansas is collecting items and names for “Presents in a Package” to send holiday care packages to deployed Kansas service members.