AGP Executive Report

Health Coverage Policy: North Carolina is among 30 states getting $500 Obamacare refunds for people overcharged by federal “user fees,” a move tied to the Biden-era ACA exchange surplus and aimed at people who paid full premiums. Rural Maternal Care: A new analysis warns Medicaid changes could force pregnant rural residents in the region to drive much farther for delivery care, raising risks for moms and babies. Public Health Alerts: The CDC says the large Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled lettuce is over, though the FDA investigation continues; meanwhile, rabies concerns keep growing, with USDA planning more vaccine bait drops across the Southeast. Food Access for Seniors: Feast Down East relaunches its Senior Mobile Market Voucher Program in the Cape Fear area to help older adults buy fresh produce. Workforce & Biotech Training: South Piedmont Community College opened a new Aseptic & Biotechnology facility in Monroe to train workers for pharma and biotech roles. Local Health System Watch: Atrium Health executive pay rose 21% on average as a proposed WakeMed deal raises questions about costs and control. Community Wellness: Mountain Valley Hospice received funding for a Mobile Dementia Activity Lab to bring memory-care activities to facilities and caregivers.

Health Coverage Relief: The White House says it will send $500 Obamacare “refund” checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states starting in October, including North Carolina, after claiming Biden-era Healthcare.gov “user fees” were passed on as higher premiums. Rabies Alert: The CDC reports a 17% jump in rabies-related inquiries this summer and warns of rising exposures and mistakes in post-exposure treatment; rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms start, but preventable with prompt, correct care. Local Public Health & Access: Cary’s Bond Park hosts a free Adapted Sports Day on Sept. 12 (registration required), offering try-it activities like wheelchair basketball, kayaking, archery, and more for people with disabilities. Air Quality & Industry: NC DEQ will hold an Oct. 13 public hearing on a draft air quality permit for the Carolina Lithium project in Gaston County. Care Quality Watch: Federal ratings show multiple Charlotte-area nursing homes with one-star overall ratings, including facilities with abuse-related citations. Food Safety: Walmart expanded a frozen berry recall in multiple states, including North Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including North Carolina, will get $500 refunds in October for alleged federal Obamacare overcharges tied to Healthcare.gov “user fees.” PFAS Accountability: North Carolina announced a historic $590 million settlement over PFAS contamination linked to the Fayetteville Works plant, with $380 million to local governments and $55 million earmarked for statewide cleanup. Rabies Alert: The CDC warned of a summer spike in rabies exposures, urging clinicians to watch for possible cases and the public to avoid sick wildlife—coming after NC reported rabies-positive baby goats at a mobile petting zoo and recommended shots for hundreds. Health in Courts: The 4th Circuit revived a North Carolina prisoner’s lawsuit over treatment during pregnancy, including shackling and denial of opioid withdrawal medication after childbirth. Community Health & Research: UNCW highlighted a 10-year master plan and community-engaged research aimed at coastal resilience and food insecurity. Workplace Safety: NC Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced the return of the Carolina Mining Star Program to recognize mine and quarry safety improvements. Sports Safety: Experts urged awareness of medical emergencies as athletes return to play, citing warning signs for heat illness and cardiac events. Violence Update: Police reported four people shot inside a Gaston County home, with two dead and two hospitalized.

PFAS Accountability: North Carolina reached a major settlement with Chemours and DuPont over PFAS contamination tied to drinking water sources, with the state saying it’s among the largest environmental damage payments in NC history and that most funds will flow to affected municipalities. Veterans’ Mental Health Care: A new $1.5 million state investment will expand hyperbaric oxygen therapy for North Carolina veterans dealing with traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Health Access & Workplace Rights: The EEOC sued Family Dollar Stores of North Carolina, alleging violations of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act after a pregnant employee was fired following urgent medical leave and a dispute over documentation. Community-Based Public Safety: Harnett County launched the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, aiming to route people in substance use and behavioral health crises toward services instead of arrest. Local Wellness on a Budget: A practical guide highlights low-cost ways to stay active, including trial periods and using free workouts before committing to subscriptions. Cold Case Closure: Skeletal remains found in North Carolina nearly 50 years ago were identified as a 15-year-old Maryland runaway, with investigators still treating the death as a possible homicide. Crash & Injuries: A serious rollover crash shut down much of I-485 in northwest Charlotte and sent three people to the hospital.

Youth Violence Prevention: Durham teens with GRACED, Inc. are teaming up with Mayor Leonardo Williams to tackle gun violence as a community health and education barrier. School Health & Safety: Rowan County Public Health is running walk-in immunization clinics for school-aged kids needing required vaccines, no appointment needed. Mental Health Support: NCDHHS is investing $1.9M to strengthen North Carolina’s Clubhouse network, expanding training, accreditation, and modernization for people living with serious mental illness. Safe Driving for Teens: RoCo Public Health and NCAST’s Teen Ambassadors program are pushing seatbelt and distracted-driving prevention, offering scholarships and stipends for student leaders. Cancer Care & Community Fundraising: Bra-Ha-Ha returns in Elizabeth City to raise money for breast health services, including free mammogram screenings. Cardiac Research: Seismic Pharmaceuticals starts a global Phase 3 trial of istaroxime for cardiogenic shock, aiming for a first-ever approved treatment. Health System Access: Reports say 29 health systems are dropping Medicare Advantage plans over prior authorization and reimbursement issues. Public Health Infrastructure: Ferry Division meetings continue as tolling for some routes is set to begin Jan. 1, 2027, affecting access for coastal neighbors.

Childhood Immunization Alert: NCDHHS says kindergarten vaccination coverage in North Carolina has slipped to 92.6%, below the 95% threshold needed to keep measles from spreading, with fewer than half of counties meeting the target as measles cases rise nationwide. PFAS Research Funding: NC State received a $4.2 million, four-year grant to study long-term health effects of PFAS/GenX exposure in the Cape Fear River Basin, focusing on metabolic outcomes like cholesterol and body composition. Heat and School Cooling: Davidson County Schools is buying a new chiller for North Davidson Middle School ($121,170) after parents reported dangerously hot classrooms and cooling failures earlier in the year. Mental Health Awareness Ride: Two friends completed a multi-state jet ski trip to raise money for mental health awareness and unity, aiming to support teens and young adults through organizations like Active Minds. Community Health Access: Rowan County Public Health announced walk-in immunization clinics for school-aged children needing required vaccines, with no appointment required. Aging Care Investment: Senior Living Transformation Company closed a $300 million recapitalization of the Prime Care portfolio, including 957 assisted living and memory care units across NC and other states. Public Safety/Whistleblower Claims: Former employees allege safety problems at 21 Air, the operator of a deadly Amazon cargo plane crash in Miami. Workforce Pay Pressure: Oxfam ranks North Carolina dead last for worker support in its Best States to Work Index, citing a minimum wage that covers only 19% of the cost of living for a family of four.

Rabies Alert: North Carolina health officials recommended rabies post-exposure shots for more than 200 people after a mobile petting zoo event exposed families to rabid goats; local assessments led to 213 people being advised to get preventive treatment. Public Health Access: Guilford County Public Health will host school immunization clinics at the Carl Chavis Memorial Branch YMCA Family Fair in High Point, offering required vaccines for K and other school-aged students. Autism Care Costs: Alliance Health partnered with Cortica to rein in Medicaid autism spending and improve outcomes by shifting toward more interdisciplinary care. Opioid Crisis: Fayetteville reported another rise in overdose deaths, with officials urging residents to share tips about illegal drug activity as fentanyl drives the surge. Infectious Disease Watch: A frozen berry blend recall tied to an E. coli outbreak expanded to Walmart stores in multiple states, including North Carolina, with shoppers told to discard or return affected packages. Wellness Innovation: N.C. State researchers are testing a floss-based vaccine delivery idea that could reduce needle fear and make vaccination easier to access. Community Health & Education: NCCU hit a new enrollment record, reaching 10,124 students—an early sign of growing campus support needs for student well-being.

Cancer Care Skin Support: An NC-licensed esthetician is offering calming, oncology-focused skincare for patients dealing with radiation burns and chemotherapy dryness, using gentler, soothing products designed for sensitive, treatment-depleted skin. Dry Eye Awareness: NPR reports that dry eye in menopause is often mistaken for pink eye, delaying care and risking corneal damage—especially when reflex tearing makes eyes look “wet.” Precision Nutrition Leadership: UNC-Chapel Hill named Deborah F. Tate, PhD, director of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute, steering new work in precision nutrition, obesity/diabetes prevention, and digital health behavior change. Healthy Opportunities Pilot Returns: North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot is restarting after a pause, with $25M (not the $80M requested) and a shift toward food-related supports first under a new Medicaid waiver. School Solar Potential: A new analysis finds NC public school rooftops could generate power equivalent to nearly 150,000 homes, though projects still need detailed site checks before moving forward. Home Insurance Transparency Push: Public Citizen reports many NC insurance commissioners aren’t making homeowners market data public, calling it an “information crisis” that limits competition and climate-risk signals.

Worker Rights Watch: A new Oxfam report says North Carolina ranks dead last for worker protections and rights, citing a $7.25 minimum wage stuck since 2009 and lack of guaranteed paid sick or family/medical leave under state law. Public Health Alert: North Carolina health officials say nearly 300 people may have been exposed to rabies after baby goats at a mobile petting zoo tested positive; more than 200 people were advised to get vaccines. Food & Safety: The FDA opened a botanical drug docket as wild ginseng season ramps up, while separate coverage continues to track berry-related E. coli recalls tied to frozen fruit sold in multiple states. Health Policy & Access: North Carolina Elections officials say counties are ready to start mailing absentee ballots amid a federal court fight over USPS delivery rules. Local Wellness & Community: Gov. Josh Stein announced $9.8M in parks grants to boost recreation and public health across 25 projects statewide. Sports Health: Titans linebacker Cedric Gray entered concussion protocol after a UTV crash, with return-to-play clearance required.

Food Insecurity: A new Feeding America Map the Meal Gap update says 1 in 7 North Carolinians can’t reliably get their next meal, up from 1 in 9 in 2021, with nearly 630,000 people in the state’s food-bank service counties facing food insecurity as federal cuts and eligibility changes strain local pantries. Public Health & Safety: Walmart shoppers in 16 states, including North Carolina, are being warned to check freezers as a Chilean frozen berry recall tied to E. coli O157:H28 expands to additional Great Value products. Healthcare Access (NC policy): North Carolina Medicaid reported more than $47.8 million in June claims for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs covering about 34,500 beneficiaries, while the State Health Plan says the same medications remain too expensive to cover for teachers and state employees. Workforce & Education: Western Carolina University is expanding nursing capacity through a partnership with Mission Health, adding faculty support and a new Pre-Licensure Master of Science in Nursing pathway to help address the western NC nurse shortage. Care Quality: Alderwood of Davidson County (formerly Hospice of Davidson County) earned a five-star CAHPS Hospice Survey rating, one of only 22 hospice providers in North Carolina to reach the top score. Community Wellness: The Eno River Association is shifting the Festival for the Eno from its usual July river location to a downtown Durham format after storm flooding, with events set for Sept. 12. Local Health Event: The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina and the City of Wilmington’s Legion Stadium Pool hosts the annual Pooch Plunge Sept. 8–13, with strict vaccine and health-department rules (no humans in the pool).

State Grant for Burn Tech: Greenville’s Perfusio Corp. won a $75,000 NC grant to develop a handheld burn-imaging device and software for faster, more objective burn assessment at the point of care, building on a prior $349,000 NIH SBIR award. Measles Preparedness on Campus: Colleges are urging faculty and staff to gather proof of measles vaccination or immunity early, aiming to prevent a single case from triggering long campus disruptions and quarantines. Alzheimer’s Communication Shift: A UNC School of Medicine physician argues in a new essay that how clinicians talk about Alzheimer’s can either trap families in hopelessness or support recovery and hope after diagnosis. Rabies Exposure Alert: A Durham-area family says a mobile petting zoo event led to a confirmed rabies investigation involving baby goats, prompting families and guests to seek rabies shots. Public Health & Safety: Fayetteville police report two deaths and one hospitalization after suspected synthetic opioid ingestion, urging 911 calls if an overdose is suspected. Food Safety Recall: Walmart frozen berries are again under recall for possible E. coli contamination, with affected products sold in 16 states including North Carolina. Prison Peer Support: NC prisons are expanding “field minister” roles—incarcerated men trained in pastoral ministry and counseling—working alongside chaplains to support grief, addiction, mental health, and end-of-life care. Rural Hospital Fix: Rep. Jill Tokuda introduced “REH 2.0” to reduce barriers that have limited Rural Emergency Hospital conversions, aiming to help struggling rural facilities keep key services like obstetrics and lab support. Microplastics Monitoring Push: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson urged the EPA to add microplastics to drinking-water monitoring rules to better protect public health.

Food Insecurity: A new “State of Hunger” briefing from the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina says hunger across a 34-county region is now worse than pandemic levels, with nearly 630,000 people lacking consistent access to food and pantry visits up sharply. Public Health & Water: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson is urging the EPA to track microplastics in drinking water by adding them to federal monitoring rules. Healthcare Systems: WakeMed and Atrium Health are moving ahead with a strategic combination that would unite the systems while keeping WakeMed locally governed. Rabies Risk: A viral TikTok highlights families in Durham who may have been exposed to rabies after contact with goats at a mobile petting zoo, with public health follow-up urged. Food Safety: Multiple reports point to expanding E. coli recalls tied to frozen berries sold in several states, including North Carolina shoppers being told to check freezers. Policy Watch: North Carolina lawmakers are looking ahead to how to regulate intoxicating hemp products as federal rules remain in flux. Community Health & Access: North Carolina A&T announced record enrollment growth, including a large incoming class, as the school continues expanding health and workforce pathways.

Heartburn Relief Guide: A new explainer breaks down what actually helps with acid reflux—antacids for fast neutralizing, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and alginate options—plus common triggers like large meals, pregnancy, and GLP-1 meds. Mental Health & Safety Oversight: A lawsuit says federal warnings about a San Diego mosque shooter’s online comments were not acted on by a mental health facility, raising questions about how threats are handled. NC Health Policy Watch: North Carolina lawmakers are weighing how to regulate intoxicating hemp products as federal rules shift, with debates focused on THC limits and protecting minors. Rabies Alert in NC: Baby goats at a mobile petting zoo tested positive for rabies; officials say exposed people should contact local health departments about possible prevention. Food Safety: An E. coli frozen berry recall keeps expanding, with warnings for shoppers to check freezers and avoid potentially contaminated products. Community Health Access: A Durham-area therapeutic massage program and other workforce-focused education updates highlight ongoing efforts to expand care capacity. Wildlife & Wellness: Three critically endangered red wolf pups were fostered into a wild NC family, supporting conservation and biodiversity.

Youth Sports Costs: A booming $40B youth sports industry is pushing families to spend thousands on travel and club competition, driven by fear of missing out and the pressure to keep up. Workforce & Training: Pitt County’s Greenville Convention Center will host the Better Skills, Better Jobs Fair on Oct. 1, bringing together 110+ employers and training partners for jobs and career pathways. Healthcare Workforce & Skills: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is launching a Therapeutic Massage diploma program aimed at entry-level careers in health and wellness, with licensure exam eligibility. Mental Health Capacity in WNC: UNC Health Pardee opened a new adolescent mental health unit and recently received Level III Trauma Center status, signaling expanded care for western North Carolina. Public Health Alerts: North Carolina officials are urging caution as a frozen berry E. coli recall expands, with FDA warnings tied to illnesses in multiple states. Infectious Disease Watch: Rabies concerns continue after positive cases tied to a mobile petting zoo, with exposure alerts prompting treatment guidance.

Rabies Alert: North Carolina health officials say 284 people were evaluated after exposure to rabid baby goats at a mobile petting zoo, with 213 recommended for post-exposure shots—rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms start, but treatment is highly effective if given promptly. Food Safety: The FDA expanded an E. coli recall tied to frozen berries sold at Walmart, including Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend in 16 states (now including NC); no illnesses were reported for this specific product, but consumers are urged to check freezers and lot codes. Public Health & Prevention: COVID-19 infections are rising in most states, with North Carolina among those showing growing transmission heading into fall. Local Health Tragedy: A Burlington teen died after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, and the family is still seeking answers about how exposure happened. Healthcare Quality & Trust: A study finds fake physician reviews can look more trustworthy than real ones, raising concerns about how patients choose care. Medical Supply Safety: Two separate recalls of IV saline solutions warn of possible contamination (fiberglass or iron oxide particles) in certain lots distributed to multiple states, including NC.

Food Safety: Walmart recalled Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states, including North Carolina, due to possible E. coli O145:H28 contamination; no illnesses tied to this specific lot yet, but the recall expands an ongoing FDA/CDC outbreak investigation. Public Health Alerts: Rabies warnings spread across multiple states after infected bats, raccoons, foxes, goats and a pet dog were detected; in NC, officials are tracing people who may have handled rabid baby goats from a mobile petting zoo. Care Access & Policy: A lawsuit challenges North Carolina rules requiring doctor oversight for nurse practitioners, arguing it adds major cost without day-to-day supervision; the case spotlights an ongoing debate over expanding care in the state. Brain Health Event: The Alzheimer’s Association will host Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Mooresville on Sept. 26, with a Promise Garden ceremony honoring people affected by the disease. Clinical Updates: The FDA approved an oral orexin agonist for narcolepsy type 1 and published a broader workforce analysis showing certified headache specialists are missing from most US counties. Medicaid: NC lawmakers and officials are weighing Medicaid provider reimbursement changes amid scrutiny over access to care.