AGP Executive Report

Medicaid Changes: NCDHHS will host an online town hall Oct. 14 on eligibility changes and new work requirements taking effect Jan. 1, 2027; many noncitizens have already lost coverage. Hospital Costs: North Carolina’s State Health Plan is seeking to block Atrium Health’s new pricing program, arguing it could threaten the plan’s finances; a hearing is set for Tuesday. Seasonal Health: State officials report two adult deaths from West Nile virus and the first flu-related death of the 2026–27 season. Food Safety: A recalled Starfish smoked seafood trio over possible Listeria contamination was distributed in North Carolina and five other states; no illnesses have been reported. Heart Health: Wilmington’s Cape Fear Heart Walk on Oct. 24 will offer Hands-Only CPR practice and heart-health education. Advanced Care: ECU Health has used a catheter-based mitral valve replacement for a high-risk patient who could not undergo traditional surgery.

Medicaid: Federal cuts and new enrollment rules could push millions off coverage and deepen pressure on North Carolina hospitals, with changes beginning in 2027. Hospital Costs: The State Health Plan is suing Atrium Health to block a pricing program it calls unlawful, extending the plan’s enrollment deadline as the dispute continues. Mosquito-Borne Illness: Two North Carolina adults have died after contracting West Nile virus, state health officials say. Seasonal Health: North Carolina has reported its first flu death of the season as flu activity starts early; health officials urge residents to get vaccinated. Animal Health: Alamance County confirmed another rabid raccoon near Elon and advises residents to seek medical care after possible exposure and keep pets’ rabies vaccinations current. Food Safety: A cold-smoked fish product recalled over possible Listeria contamination was distributed in North Carolina; shoppers should check packages for the affected lot. Children’s Well-Being: North Carolina received its first $45.2 million payment from Meta’s settlement over claims its platforms harmed children; the attorney general has urged lawmakers to fund crisis helplines and school health staff.

Health Plan Showdown: North Carolina’s State Health Plan is asking a judge to block Atrium Health’s new affordability program, arguing it could undermine the plan’s finances. Atrium says its program will lower members’ out-of-pocket costs. Storm Safety: Isaias’ remnants brought flash flooding, river overflows and landslides to western North Carolina, prompting water rescues and road closures. Food Safety: Arden-based Eden Brothers recalled some broccoli seeds linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 32 people in six states; check lot numbers and don’t sprout recalled seeds. Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–27 season, and health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated.

Rabies Watch: Guilford County confirmed its 14th animal rabies case of the year after a raccoon tested positive in Jamestown; Nash County also reported a rabid raccoon. Keep pets vaccinated and avoid wildlife. Safer Drinking Water: Greensboro approved a roughly $260 million project to remove PFAS from water at its Mitchell treatment plant, using activated carbon filtration. Flu Season: North Carolina has recorded its first flu death of 2026–27, after 335 deaths statewide last season. Health officials urge vaccination as flu circulates. Mental Health: The state announced more than $17 million for rural mental health services. In Pasquotank County, a new recovery court offers eligible people with substance-use or mental health disorders treatment and supervision instead of prison. Community Vaccination: Research on rural vaccination efforts finds that partnerships among health departments, clinics, pharmacies and trusted local groups can help overcome access and transportation barriers.

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of 2026–27. The state recorded 335 deaths last season, and health officials urge residents to get vaccinated. Nursing Home Safety: State inspectors found serious supervision failures at a Charlotte nursing home after a resident in an electric wheelchair was struck by a garbage truck and later died. Rural Mental Health: North Carolina is investing more than $17 million in mental health services, including support for rural communities. PFAS Research: Researchers are exploring whether machine learning can help map contamination and guide testing in a state where millions may face drinking-water levels above health standards. Treatment Over Prison: Pasquotank County’s new recovery court offers eligible people with substance use or mental health disorders structured treatment and supervision instead of prison. Rabies Alert: Nash County confirmed rabies in a raccoon near Spring Hope; officials advise avoiding wild or unfamiliar animals and keeping pets vaccinated.

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–27 season. Health officials say flu activity is starting early and urge residents to get vaccinated and seek treatment promptly. Rural Care: ECU Health received $25 million to help restore hospital services in Martin County, while the state announced more than $17 million for rural mental health services. Health Costs: North Carolina’s State Health Plan is suing Atrium Health to block a new pricing program, as state officials warn it could put the plan’s finances at risk. Atrium says its program is designed to lower costs. New Treatment: The FDA approved a new treatment for hard-to-treat herpes lesions in immunocompromised adults. The drug’s U.S. and European business headquarters are in Cary.

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–27 season as activity starts early. Health officials urge vaccination and prompt treatment. New Treatment: Cary-based Asahi Kasei Therapeutics won FDA approval for HOVILPRI, a new option for immunocompromised adults with hard-to-treat herpes lesions. State Health Plan: The plan is suing Atrium Health to block a pricing program set to start in January, arguing it could violate the law and worsen the plan’s finances. Rural Care: ECU Health received $25 million to help restore hospital services in Martin County, as a national study finds hospital closures outpaced openings from 2010 to 2025, reducing the country’s bed count by more than 24,000. Early Childhood Support: Gov. Josh Stein has urged federal officials to preserve Head Start standards, which provide children with health screenings, nutrition assistance and family services.

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2026–27 season, an adult in central NC. Health officials urge vaccination and early treatment; the state recorded 335 flu deaths last season. Rural Care: Martin County received $25 million toward restoring hospital services, including plans for North Carolina’s first rural emergency hospital. The county has been without a hospital for about three years, and construction could take two to three years. Mental Health: The state announced more than $17 million for rural mental health services through its Rural Health Transformation Program, expanding behavioral health care in underserved communities. Medicare Help: New Hanover County residents can get free, unbiased help comparing 2027 Medicare plans before open enrollment, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.**

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the season, as doctors see cases earlier than usual. Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated and stay home when sick. Rural Care: Martin County received $25 million toward a rural emergency hospital, three years after Martin General closed. The project is part of a $75 million state investment in local hospital services. Mental Health: Gov. Josh Stein and NCDHHS announced more than $17 million for rural mental health services through the state’s Rural Health Transformation Program. State Health Plan: Treasurer Brad Briner says Atrium Health’s proposed lower copays for state employees could worsen the plan’s $1.5 billion deficit. Open enrollment runs Oct. 12–30, with new benefits beginning in January. Drug Costs: A multistate coalition has won preliminary approval of a plan to distribute settlement funds to consumers who bought certain generic drugs allegedly affected by price-fixing. North Carolinians may be eligible to claim compensation.

Flu Season: North Carolina has reported its first flu death of 2026–27. Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get an annual flu shot and recommend staying home when sick, washing hands and covering coughs. Rural Mental Health: The state announced more than $17 million for rural mental health services, aiming to expand behavioral health care through its Rural Health Transformation Program. Cancer Screening: Sampson County’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program helps eligible uninsured and underinsured women access screenings and follow-up care. Medicaid: A new report ranks North Carolina 48th for how it runs Medicaid, raising concerns about the state’s management of a program many residents rely on for care.

Rural Mental Health: North Carolina is directing more than $17 million to expand behavioral health and substance-use care, including mobile crisis teams, opioid-use treatment and services for first-episode psychosis. Health Workforce: ECU received $2.9 million to strengthen medical education and clinical lab training, aimed at improving care access in eastern North Carolina. Alzheimer’s Research: Wake Forest University School of Medicine received a $22.5 million NIH award for research. State Health Plan: Atrium Health’s affordability program aims to lower costs for state employees in 2027, as enrollment approaches and officials warn the plan faces financial pressure. Medicaid: A new report ranked North Carolina 48th nationally for how it runs the program, raising concerns about administration and access.

Rabies Prevention: Oral vaccine baits are being dropped around Asheville and across 17 western counties through Oct. 22. Officials urge families to keep children and pets from picking them up. Rural Mental Health: North Carolina will receive more than $17 million in federal funding for behavioral health clinics, opioid treatment, mobile crisis teams and maternal mental health care in rural areas. Health Workforce: ECU received a $2.9 million Golden LEAF grant to strengthen medical education and clinical laboratory training, aiming to improve care access in eastern North Carolina. Tick-Borne Illness: A North Carolina woman’s years of unexplained illness were eventually traced to alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy linked to lone star tick bites; experts say the ticks are spreading as the climate warms. Farmworker Safety: A Goldsboro farmworker was left unable to walk after heatstroke in 2022. His case highlights gaps in protections for outdoor workers facing dangerous heat.

Housing & Health: Gov. Josh Stein toured Southeast Raleigh Promise’s 25-unit affordable housing project, spotlighting state moves to cut red tape and expand mixed-income housing—framing stable homes as a foundation for health, education, and long-term stability. School Mental Health: Carteret County Public Schools was selected for the 5-year Project AWARE grant (NCDPI received $7.5M total), aiming to strengthen behavioral health systems and expand student and family support. Care Access & Growth: UNC Health broke ground on a new West Cary campus, with a medical office building and parking deck planned for 2028 and a hospital opening in 2032 to meet rising regional demand. Health Services Milestone: Atrium Health/Wake Forest Baptist’s AirCare marked 40 years, having transported nearly 40,000 patients since 1986. Public Health Alerts: FDA recalled more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade in multiple states due to undeclared food dyes; consumers should check affected flavors and lot codes. Community Support: Orphan Grain Train’s New England branch shipped a 53-foot container of recovery supplies to help multi-state storm damage efforts, including deliveries to North Carolina.

School Mental Health Funding: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction received a $7.5 million, five-year SAMHSA grant to expand Project AWARE into Ashe, Carteret, and Person counties, boosting prevention, early intervention, crisis response, and partnerships with community providers. Alzheimer’s Research Boost: Wake Forest University School of Medicine won a $22.5 million NIH renewal for its Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, focusing on lifestyle and health factors that raise risk and on earlier diagnosis and prevention. Urology Research Recognition: UNC-Chapel Hill urologist David Fallon Friedlander, MD, MPH, was named a 2026 Rising Stars in Urology Research Award recipient for work on improving follow-up after emergency visits for kidney stones. Infection Control in Hospitals: NC State researchers modeled how C. diff spreads in hospital cancer units, finding many new cases come from patients who carry the bacteria without symptoms—information that could guide prevention protocols. Medicare Advantage Disruption: CarolinaEast Medical Center is exiting key Medicare Advantage networks in eastern NC, leaving patients with a limited open-enrollment window to avoid losing in-network hospital coverage. Wildlife Leadership: Caldwell native Zach Benfield was appointed to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission governing board, helping oversee hunting, fishing, and boating rules.

Alzheimer’s Fundraiser: Burlington’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew about 700 people and raised $161K+ to support care, support, and research. Cancer Detection in NC: UNC-Chapel Hill researchers report a blood test (NavDx) for HPV-linked throat cancer can spot recurrences more accurately than standard post-treatment imaging. Flu Season Push: Pitt County Health Department kicked off “Vaccination 500,” reminding residents shots take about two weeks to fully protect and noting last season’s NC flu deaths topped 300. School Mental Health Funding: NCDPI won a $7.5M, five-year SAMHSA Project AWARE grant to expand student behavioral health supports in Ashe, Carteret, and Person counties. Head Start Fight in NC: Gov. Josh Stein urged HHS to protect Head Start standards as Durham advocates warn proposed changes could reduce quality and access. Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of Gatorade in multiple states over undeclared dyes—check affected flavors and lot codes. Public Health & Access: NC’s Health Care Affordability Commission is exploring ways to lower costs, including investing in primary care. Local Wellness & Community: UNC’s School of Social Work received a $10M Michael Jordan gift to expand global social innovation and scholarships.

Food Safety: PepsiCo recalled about 122,000 cases of 28-ounce Gatorade (Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, Orange Zero) sold in 37 states, including North Carolina, because labels didn’t declare Yellow No. 5 and/or Yellow No. 6; the FDA classed it as a Class II recall. Medicaid & Autism Care: North Carolina’s four private Medicaid plans launched a joint fraud task force, with autism therapy billing (ABA) a major focus as spending topped $505 million in 2025; officials say the scrutiny targets providers, not families. Disaster Resilience: App State researchers are partnering with the NC Collaboratory on Western North Carolina recovery projects, including resilient energy systems and community health planning two years after Hurricane Helene. Homelessness & Addiction Treatment: The federal STREETS program will fund eight communities with $96 million total over four years, including Robeson County, to expand addiction and mental health care for people living on the street. Workforce Training: Wilkes Community College received a $300,000 Good Jobs WNC grant to expand “work and learn” pathways into healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades. Breast Cancer Support: Cancer Services of Eastern North Carolina held its Pink Ribbon Run 5K and walk in Greenville to fund support for people facing breast cancer.