AGP Executive Report

Hospital Price Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals—including five in South Alabama—that they must post clear pricing or face penalties up to $2 million a year, with local hospitals saying they’re already compliant or that issues were fixed after reviews. Maternal Care at Risk: In Montgomery, Jackson Hospital’s financial fight with Blue Cross is raising fears for pregnant patients and newborn care if the hospital closes, with doctors warning the region could lose critical maternity capacity. Public Health & Food Access: Alabama’s DHR SUN Bucks program is set to provide one-time $120 support per school-aged child, and Summer EBT benefits are also rolling out for eligible families. Aging Research: NIH’s Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet) released a major first set of findings mapping “senescent” cells linked to inflammation and chronic disease, including Alzheimer’s and cancer. Coastal Restoration: Gov. Kay Ivey announced $87 million for Alabama Gulf Coast projects under the RESTORE Act to address Deepwater Horizon-related injuries. Heat Safety: Shreveport opened cooling centers to help residents—especially seniors and kids—stay hydrated and avoid heat-related illness.

Public Health & Food Access: Alabama officials are asking U.S. senators to delay new SNAP cost-sharing rules that could force the state to pay $200 million or more, with changes tied to higher admin error rates starting Oct. 1 and potential benefit-cost sharing in fiscal year 2028. Reproductive Health Policy: 14 state attorneys general urged the EPA to track contamination from the abortion drug mifepristone, warning wastewater treatment may not remove the compounds. Maternal & Family Health: Lawmakers marked the Griswold anniversary by pushing for contraception protections, arguing access is at risk amid shifting federal priorities. Disability & Wellness: Lakeshore Foundation and United Spinal formed a national partnership to expand adapted sports, health programming, and advocacy for people with spinal cord injuries. Coastal Restoration: Gov. Ivey announced $87 million for Alabama Gulf Coast projects under the RESTORE Act to repair damage tied to the Deepwater Horizon spill. Local Care & Child Safety: Cramer Children’s Advocacy Center thanked Lawrence County for support after reporting services to 357 child abuse victims in Northwest Alabama in 2025, including 120 from Lawrence County. Community Health Events: Alabama Extension promoted Master Gardener training and local hay and forage education events, supporting practical wellness through food and land stewardship.

Hospital Survival Fight: A federal judge said Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution protocol is “cruel and unusual,” adding uncertainty to future uses. Health Care Access in Crisis: Jackson Hospital’s reimbursement dispute with Blue Cross is back in court as the hospital warns it could close if rates aren’t resolved soon. Price Transparency Push: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide, including Alabama facilities, to post clearer pricing or face steep fines. Mental Health Focus: Alabama’s Department of Mental Health is marking PTSD Awareness Month, urging people to seek confidential support. Men’s Mental Health: A new weekly “Big Dawg Check-In” segment is tackling stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout for men. Community Health Jobs: TARCOG is holding a tri-county career fair to hire case managers for older adults and people with disabilities, including roles tied to Medicaid Waiver work. Public Health & Safety: Flood damage can cause hidden electrical problems in cars long after water recedes. Infectious Disease Alert: Officials are monitoring tick-borne risks as a rare spotted-fever illness resurfaces in the U.S.

Hospital Price Transparency: The White House warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including DCH Regional Medical Center and Nolan Hospital, plus Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Parkway campus and Marshall Medical North and South—that they must post basic pricing or face penalties up to $2 million. Public Health & Food Access: Alabama DHR and the state education department plan to distribute Summer EBT (Alabama SUN Bucks) again this summer, with a one-time $120 per eligible school-aged child to help cover groceries during break. Infectious Disease Risk: Alabama livestock and pet owners are being alerted to the Asian longhorned tick, newly detected in DeKalb County, which can spread quickly due to high egg production. Mosquitoes & Disease: A CDC report highlights mosquitoes as the deadliest animal, and Alabama officials note dozens of mosquito-borne illnesses reported statewide, including West Nile. Cancer Care Update: UAB hematologist Jorge Cortes discusses new ASC4FIRST trial findings suggesting asciminib may offer better frontline outcomes for chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Genomic Medicine Access: Vanderbilt Health and UAB are part of a Southeast effort to expand clinician access to genetics expertise through an eConsult service. Abortion Pill Oversight: Alabama AG Steve Marshall issued cease-and-desist letters to six companies over illegal advertising and sales of abortion-inducing drugs, and a separate coalition urged EPA monitoring of mifepristone in waterways. Health Tech Deal: Danaher completed its acquisition of Masimo, expanding patient monitoring and digital health capabilities.

Hospital Price Transparency: The Trump administration warned more than 500 hospitals nationwide—including several in the region—over missing required pricing info, with penalties up to $2 million a year for noncompliance. Reproductive Health Enforcement: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sent cease-and-desist letters to six companies over alleged illegal advertising and sales of abortion-inducing pills, saying the firms are deceiving consumers. Capital Punishment Legal Fight: A federal judge permanently blocked Alabama from using nitrogen gas to execute Jeffery Lee, calling the method cruel and unusual punishment, while the state says it will appeal. Public Health Alerts: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recalls. Community Health & Safety: Alabama families can get summer grocery help through Alabama SUN Bucks ($120 per eligible child), and officials also issued a swim safety alert for a suspected harmful algae bloom at Lake Lanier.

Men’s Health in Montgomery: The Gift of Life “Fathers in Action” and the YMCA of Greater Montgomery will host a 2-on-2 Hoops and Health: Men’s Series on June 27, pushing routine screenings, more activity, and mental health support. Rural EMS in Alabama: Lee County approved a budget adjustment to its EMS contract with East Alabama Health so the service can break even. Price transparency pressure on hospitals: The Trump administration warned 500+ hospitals nationwide, including several in Arkansas, to post clearer pricing or face steep penalties—aimed at helping patients avoid surprise costs. New obesity/diabetes drug data: Phase 2 results for berobenatide, a weekly-or-monthly GLP-1 option, showed favorable weight loss, A1c drops, and tolerability. Wearables and care gaps: A report highlights how smartwatch/ring data can overwhelm clinicians, leaving patients with metrics that aren’t always actionable. Clinical breakthrough: CAR T-cell therapy enabled kidney transplants for highly sensitized patients who previously couldn’t be matched. Safety reminder: A fatal I-65 crash in Montgomery killed two people and left one injured; investigators are still looking at the cause.

WIC Boost: Alabama has raised WIC income guidelines, with more pregnant people, new parents, and caregivers of kids up to age 5 encouraged to apply through county health departments or WIC agencies; benefits include monthly cash for fruits and vegetables plus nutrition education and breastfeeding support. Summer Food Help: Alabama SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) are set to return, providing a one-time $120 per school-aged child for low-income families to buy groceries during summer break; eligible kids may be automatically issued benefits or can apply online if not directly certified. Maternal Care Upgrade: Coosa Valley Medical Center in Sylacauga expanded maternal and infant support through the Safe Sleep Initiative, adding sleep sacks and peanut balls to improve safer-sleep education and newborn care. Sleep Lab Milestone: DCH’s sleep lab in Northport earned 25-year accreditation recognition, highlighting ongoing testing for conditions like sleep apnea and restless legs. Community Health Access: UTC’s MobileMoc clinic is offering free services in Rhea County (June 8) with walk-ins welcome and no insurance required. Public Health & Safety: Alabaster is removing fluoride from its drinking water supply, while Alabama’s Free Fishing Day (June 13) encourages outdoor activity with no fishing license needed. Health System Pressure: A federal appeals court ordered a new hearing for Alabama death row inmate Jeffrey Lee over nitrogen gas execution concerns, citing constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

Medical Cannabis in Alabama: Alabama’s first legal medical cannabis dispensary opened in Montgomery, with patients starting to buy approved products this week—an important access milestone for people with qualifying conditions. Public Health Access & Care: East Alabama Medical Center North opened a new inpatient psychiatric facility designed to keep children and teens learning while they receive mental health treatment, expanding beds across the region. Infectious Disease Watch: A flesh-eating parasite (New World screwworm) has been confirmed in Texas after decades, and Alabama officials say monitoring and preparedness are underway as livestock move nationwide. Community Health & Safety: Alabama’s Free Fishing Day is set for June 13, with state leaders highlighting mental and physical health benefits of time outdoors. Health System Capacity: CMS ratings updates highlight ongoing changes across Alabama nursing and rehab facilities, reflecting how staffing and care quality can shift over time.

Nursing Home Watch (CMS ratings): Kensington Health and Rehabilitation in Mobile County earned a top 5-star CMS rating for Q1 2026, while Civic Center Health and Rehabilitation in Birmingham held a 3-star rating with no fines or penalties reported for the quarter. Nursing Home Watch (ownership & accountability): CMS data also spotlighted Village Health Care Center in Oklahoma with a 1-star overall rating and a fine/penalty in Q1 2026, underscoring how staffing and care quality can swing facility performance. Cancer Screening in Alabama: The American Cancer Society added a blood-based colorectal cancer screening option (Shield) for average-risk adults 45+ who skip stool or colonoscopy—an update aimed at improving screening rates in a state where colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer deaths. Community Health & Safety: Tuscaloosa hosted its annual Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day to keep paints, pesticides, batteries, and other chemicals out of regular trash and drains. Public Health in the Weather: After storms in Orange left hundreds without power, officials warned about risks for residents who rely on electricity for medical needs. New Treatment Research: UAB researchers presented Phase 2 ZUPREME-1 results on petrelintide, reporting sustained weight loss with improved tolerability versus typical GLP-1 side effects.

GLP-1 Heart Benefits: New research links GLP-1 medications to fewer emergency visits and lower rates of serious cardiac events (including stroke and death) for adults dealing with both obesity and autoimmune disease. Cancer Screening in Alabama: The American Cancer Society added a blood-based option to colorectal screening guidelines, aiming to help more average-risk adults who skip stool tests or colonoscopies—an issue that hits Alabama hard. Public Health Alert: Alabama officials are monitoring a flesh-eating New World screwworm after confirmed cases in Texas, warning it’s an animal health threat that can spread quickly. Care After Childbirth: LSU Health Shreveport is enrolling patients in a trial testing bromocriptine for peripartum cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of death in pregnant women. Nursing Home Watch: CMS ratings updates show several Alabama facilities’ recent performance levels, with some below the state average. Medical Rules on Peptides: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners warned doctors about “research-grade” peptides and reminded them not to recommend or facilitate non-FDA-approved use. Supreme Court Health-Adjacent: The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to rule on major gun and transgender-athlete cases, with ripple effects for public health and safety policy.

Nursing Home Watch: Gulf Coast Health and Rehabilitation in Mobile County received a 2-star CMS rating for Q1 2026, below Alabama’s 3.0 average, with no CMS fines or penalties reported. Heart & Metabolism Research: New U.S. data links GLP-1-based meds to fewer serious heart events and fewer emergency visits in adults with obesity plus an autoimmune disease. Public Health Alert: Alabama officials are monitoring after a flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite was confirmed in Texas for the second time, with veterinarians warning it could spread via livestock movement. Medication Safety: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners warned physicians about “increased interest in peptides,” stressing restrictions on non-FDA-approved research-grade products. Obesity Drug Pipeline: UAB researchers presented phase 2 results for petrelintide, an amylin-based obesity treatment, showing meaningful weight loss with a milder GI side effect profile than typical GLP-1s. Community Support: Montgomery’s “Walking in the Name of Love” event continues to offer community and resources for mothers grieving a child. Oral Health Basics: A Birmingham-area dental practice is urging consistent brushing/flossing, fluoride use, and routine cleanings to prevent plaque buildup and gum problems.

Wildlife & Public Health: Baldwin County officials say gopher tortoises were safely relocated to a protected habitat before construction began at The Reserve in Daphne, using burrow buffers and careful transport to a nearby wildlife management area. Marine Health: A rough-toothed dolphin stranded on a Gulf Shores beach was euthanized after experts found it in poor health, with the Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network and local agencies coordinating the response. Sleep Apnea Care: Athens-Limestone Hospital is rolling out the Genio system, an FDA-approved nerve stimulation option for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea patients who struggle with CPAP. Obesity Drug Research: UAB’s Dr. W. Timothy Garvey presented phase 2 results for petrelintide, an amylin-based investigational therapy, reporting meaningful weight loss with a milder GI side-effect profile than typical GLP-1s. Medicaid Costs Watch: In Birmingham, Medicaid Durable Medical Equipment claims totaled $3.03M in 2024, up 5.9% from 2023. Community Longevity Mindset: A national survey highlights Mountain Brook, Homewood, and Madison as Alabama’s most optimistic communities about aging well, linking longevity beliefs to routines, stress, and active outdoor living. Energy & Health Equity: A new Sierra Club dashboard shows low-income Alabama households face some of the highest energy burdens, and it maps those burdens against health outcomes like asthma.

Nursing Home Watch (Alabama): CMS records show Forest Hills Care and Rehabilitation Center (Tulsa, OK) held a 3-star overall rating in Q1 2026 with no fines or penalties, while Crowne Health Care of Springhill (Mobile County, AL) earned a 5-star rating and also reported no fines or penalties in Q1 2026. Nursing Home Watch (Arkansas): Jamestown Nursing and Rehab (Arkansas) posted a 1-star rating in Q1 2026 and faced four fines totaling $83,834 plus four penalties. Public Health (Coastal): The Alabama Department of Public Health and Baldwin County issued swimming advisories for Fairhope Public Beach, Orange Street Pier, and Gulf State Park Pavilion after bacteria levels rose. Maternal Nutrition (Alabama): Alabama WIC income limits increased for 2026, raising eligibility to 185% of federal poverty guidelines. Water Safety (Alabaster): Alabaster will stop adding fluoride to city drinking water starting June 8. Hospital Access (Montgomery): Jackson Hospital warned it could close by July if Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama doesn’t raise reimbursement.

Alzheimer’s Awareness: A new Alabama-focused report highlights that more than 103,000 people in the state live with Alzheimer’s, while over 222,000 family members and friends provide unpaid care—plus tips on brain-healthy habits during June’s Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Tick Season & Lyme Risk: Health officials warn that tick-bite emergency visits are spiking in parts of the region, with deer/blacklegged ticks driving higher Lyme disease risk as summer outdoor time ramps up. Local Health Care Access: Jackson Hospital’s CEO warns the Montgomery hospital could close as early as July if a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama reimbursement deal isn’t reached by June 25, with closure steps targeted for July 1. Men’s Health Push: Alabama State University urges Hornet men to prioritize preventive care during June, with the ASU Health Center open weekdays for appointments. Health Policy Watch: The PEEHIP board approved withdrawing up to $200 million from its retiree trust fund to help cover a benefit funding gap for FY27 amid rising health costs.

Medical Access & Costs: Jackson Hospital’s CEO says the Montgomery facility could close by July 1 unless Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama boosts reimbursement rates, warning the shutdown could worsen already crowded ERs and ripple across the region. Medical Cannabis in Alabama: Alabama’s first medical cannabis dispensary, Callie’s Apothecary in Montgomery, opened June 4, but patients statewide face hurdles like required in-person certification visits and limited local access. Public Health—Ticks: Mobile County Health Department is urging residents to protect against tick bites as warm weather ramps up, noting symptoms can appear days to weeks later and some bites can trigger alpha-gal syndrome. Brain Health & Caregiving: More than 103,000 Alabamians live with Alzheimer’s, and the Alzheimer’s Association highlights caregiver strain and calls for early brain-health steps. Healthcare Safety & Workforce: A worker died in an industrial machinery incident at a Tuscaloosa County lumber yard and sawmill, prompting a death investigation. College Sports Reform: A Senate hearing on the Protect College Sports Act heard major testimony from leaders including Nick Saban, as lawmakers push to protect athletes and women’s/olympic sports. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data ranked River City Center second in Morgan County by size but gave it a low overall rating, while other Alabama nursing homes saw varying CMS scores and fines.

Office-Based Medical Safety: The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners rolled out new rules for procedures done outside hospitals, requiring accreditation for many office surgeries and using risk levels to tighten safety standards. Opioid Response Planning: Trigg County approved a local opioid abatement advisory committee to manage funds for treatment and recovery projects, with quarterly meetings starting this summer. Fentanyl Overdose Prevention: UAB researchers won a $5.3 million NIH grant to test whether fentanyl test strips can help people spot contamination before it leads to overdose deaths. Hospital Financial Crisis: Jackson Hospital in Montgomery warned it could close as soon as July if Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama doesn’t raise reimbursement rates. Community Health Access: A new Montgomery women-owned med spa, Glow Haus, is offering in-person services plus a mobile unit that brings care to clients. Public Health & Safety Services: Tuscaloosa County’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day returns Saturday, June 6, with free drop-off for items like paint, batteries, pesticides, and pool chemicals. Medical Cannabis Launch: Alabama’s medical cannabis program continues moving forward, with the first purchase reported in Montgomery and more dispensaries planned.