AGP Executive Report

Hospital Patient Experience: A new national ranking based on CMS HCAHPS survey star ratings finds Wisconsin tops the country for patient experience (4.06/5), while Florida, New Jersey and New York land at the bottom—useful context for Missourians comparing care quality. Violence & Community Safety: In St. Louis, a dispute tied to a Jimmy John’s ended with a 14-year-old shot in the leg; a restaurant employee faces multiple felony charges. Injury Alerts (UTV/ATV): An 11-year-old was seriously hurt in a Ralls County UTV crash and flown to St. Louis Children’s Hospital; separate reports also describe other serious crash injuries across the region. Emerging Infectious Disease: Researchers describe a new tick-borne virus in China carried by an Asian longhorned tick already established in 21 U.S. states—no U.S. human cases reported so far, but it’s a reminder to watch for tick exposure. Food Safety: Italian guanciale is recalled in multiple states after listeria concerns, highlighting ongoing risks with ready-to-eat products. Mental Health Support: Missouri’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline gets statewide attention as the Capitol dome is lit teal and purple for National 988 Day. Access to Care & Accountability: A Missouri-linked 340B program critique says large hospital systems may not be using savings as intended for low-income patients, calling for more transparency.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Missouri’s Capitol dome will glow teal and purple from sunset Tuesday to sunrise Wednesday for National 988 Day, highlighting free 24/7 crisis support by call, text or videophone. Mental Health Care Expansion: KVC Missouri’s new Youth Mental Health Care Inpatient Center in Webster Groves is nearing completion, with a planned opening before year’s end and new levels of care for youth and families. Public Health—E. coli Berries Recall: Walmart shoppers in 16 states, including Missouri, are being told to check freezers after an expanded recall of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend due to possible E. coli contamination. Chronic Wasting Disease: Missouri Department of Conservation will hold fall meetings with landowners in CWD core areas as part of a pilot deer management effort. Hospital Safety/Wellness Research: A Kansas City study suggests a weighted blanket may reduce anxiety in hospitalized adults. Local Health & Safety: A Jefferson County house fire killed an 80-year-old man and injured a 90-year-old woman; crews also responded to a cyclist fatality in St. Louis County. Access to Care: St. Bernards now offers 24/7 neurointerventional stroke coverage in southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas.

Speech & mental health: A new University of Missouri–Kansas City study finds people are talking less than they used to, raising questions about how tech-driven life may be reshaping communication and potentially linking to brain health. Heat safety: The Heart of America Marathon in Columbia is adding heat-focused protocols, including frequent water aid stations and monitoring of wet-bulb globe temperature. Extreme heat risk: A heat dome is pushing dangerous conditions across the Plains and Heartland, with Missouri among areas under Heat Advisories/Warnings through Labor Day. Food safety: Walmart is expanding an E. coli recall tied to frozen berries sold in 16 states, including Missouri, after an outbreak sickened 17 people and hospitalized six. Stroke care access: St. Bernards Medical Center in northeast Arkansas/Southeast Missouri says it now offers 24/7 neurointerventional stroke coverage. Road safety: Multiple Missouri crashes over the weekend sent people to hospitals and airlifts, including a serious UTV rollover near New London and a fatal Stoddard County crash near Essex.

Heat & school safety: Riverview Gardens High School sent six marching band students for evaluation after heat-related symptoms during halftime; the game was stopped early due to high temperatures, and the district said “mass casualty” reports were unfounded. Mental health access: Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe ordered the Capitol dome lit teal and purple for National 988 Day, spotlighting the free, confidential 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health and substance use crises. Fall allergy watch: As fall approaches, ragweed and other pollen are ramping up, with ragweed expected to drive headaches and sniffles through September and into October. Community health support: Cooper County is on track to install its 16th Safe Haven Baby Box Oct. 1 after raising nearly $28,000 to help parents safely surrender newborns up to 90 days old. Public health in the spotlight: Missouri’s Department of Public Safety named September team members, including a Highway Patrol program assistant recognized for choking-response action that may have saved a child’s life. Wellness & aging: A local guide highlights how staying physically active can support older adults’ daily function, reduce fall risk, and improve mental well-being.

Heat Safety in Schools: Kansas City’s Center High School dismissed students early after an air-conditioning failure during a punishing heatwave, and Riverview Gardens High School treated six students for heat-related symptoms at halftime. Community Health Funding: PSB Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awarded $90,000 to six Missouri groups through the Green City region, supporting healthcare, food help, housing, youth programs, and shelter services. Food Security Through Service: Missouri FFA chapters packed 252,564 meals at the State Fair as part of the Drive to Feed Kids, aiming to help food-insecure Missouri families. Safe Haven Baby Boxes: Cooper County is raising nearly $28,000 to install its 16th Safe Haven Baby Box, estimated for Oct. 1. Public Health & Wellness Alerts: Missouri Capitol lighting is set to glow teal and purple for National 988 Day and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Health-Related Recalls: Two IV saline recalls were reported within days, citing contamination concerns. Injury & Emergency Response: A Rolla motorcyclist was airlifted after serious injuries, and multiple crash reports across the region sent people to hospitals.

IV Safety Watch: Baxter and B. Braun issued separate recalls of 0.9% sodium chloride IV saline bags after fiberglass or iron-oxide particles were found in sealed containers, with Missouri included among affected states—health systems are urged to stop using and return the lots. Food Safety: Walmart frozen berry recalls expanded again after an E. coli outbreak tied to a Chilean supplier; Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend is pulled in 16 states including Missouri, with no illnesses linked to this specific product yet. Mental Health Access: Missouri’s Capitol dome will glow teal and purple for National 988 Day, spotlighting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and suicide prevention efforts statewide. Local Health & Community: Joplin City Council moved its meeting to Tuesday due to Labor Day, including a presentation on costs and reimbursements for transportation to medical services through Missouri Healthnet/MTM. Heat-Related Risk: St. Louis-area festivals are adding first-aid and EMT coverage and boosting cooling plans as Labor Day heat wave conditions continue. Public Safety: Kansas City police are investigating two deaths after an early-morning shooting; a person of interest is in custody.

Suicide Prevention Access: Missouri’s Capitol dome will glow teal and purple Sept. 8-9 for National 988 Day, spotlighting the free 24/7 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for mental health and substance-use crises. Local Prevention Story: In Independence, a man turned his friend’s suicide into a growing community effort to encourage people to reach out. Food Safety (E. coli): Walmart shoppers in 16 states, including Missouri, are being told to check freezers after an expanded recall of Great Value frozen Organic Triple Berry Blend tied to an E. coli outbreak; no illnesses linked to this specific product yet. Healthcare Safety (IV recalls): Two separate 0.9% saline IV recalls in Missouri and other states cite contamination concerns inside sealed bags, raising attention for sterile supply chain safety. Coverage Disruption/Access: Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiations with BJC could leave millions of Missourians facing out-of-network risk for major hospitals starting Jan. 1, 2027. Public Health & Wellness Research: A Saint Louis University study finds autism diagnoses among girls and women rose sharply after 2020, suggesting improved recognition rather than a sudden surge in cases. Community Health & Service: Missouri FFA chapters helped pack 252,564 meals for food-insecure families through the Drive to Feed Kids.

Opioid Response: Missouri is expanding access to naloxone with free Narcan dispensers at two I-44 welcome centers in Conway, part of the Rest Easy Naloxone Project that’s already distributed more than 430 boxes. Health Care Costs & Coverage: BJC Healthcare and Anthem are still at odds over a new deal as BJC warns Anthem members could face out-of-network status starting Jan. 1, 2027, with disputes over prior authorization, claim denials, and reimbursement rates. Workforce & Wages: LiUNA Local 955 rallied at the University of Missouri, pushing for higher minimum wages and restored MU Health Care benefits after reported cuts to paid time off, retirement matching, and holiday pay. Public Health & Safety: Missouri’s Division of Cannabis Regulation issued a recall for certain products from GF Extraction Lab after concerns tied to chemically modified/synthetic cannabinoids. Local Care Access: Western Missouri Medical Center welcomed a new dermatology provider, Mary S. Zahau-Loehner, starting Sept. 8. Community Health Funding: United Way of Central Missouri Pacesetters raised $1.49M toward a $2.9M goal to support health, education, and basic needs. Injury Updates: A Liberty man died after a lawn mower collision with a car in Clay County; two people were also injured in an Atchison County crash on Highway 136.

Hospital pay transparency: A St. Louis-area investigation finds major hospital CEOs still received raises during the COVID era even after pledging pay cuts, raising fresh questions about how “frontline” sacrifices were handled. New care capacity: Cheyenne OBGYN announced two new physicians joining its women’s health team, including a doctor focused on preventive care, prenatal and postpartum support, and lifestyle-based wellness. Transplant breakthrough: WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Transplant Center reported a robotic combined liver-and-kidney transplant done through a single ~3-inch incision, aiming to reduce recovery burden for patients needing both organs. Food safety in Missouri: FDA expanded a recall of Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend sold in 16 states, including Missouri, due to possible E. coli contamination. Public health & prevention: Missouri Conservation will hold fall meetings with landowners in eight CWD core areas to shape localized deer and chronic wasting disease management plans. Community health access: Children’s Mercy will host a bilingual autism clinic resource fair in Kansas City, connecting families with mental health and developmental disability supports. Heat readiness: Independence’s SantaCaliGon Days plans on-site medical staffing as extreme heat threatens festivalgoers. Workforce pay gap: A new report says Missouri teachers earned about 36% less than comparable college graduates in 2025, highlighting a widening teacher pay gap.

Alzheimer’s Research: WashU Medicine researchers report in mice that immune T cells can be instructed by lymph nodes outside the brain, and blocking that pathway sharply reduces neurodegeneration—an approach that could slow Alzheimer’s and related tau disorders. Access to Care: Missouri’s abortion debate heats up as the state AG airs a $167,000 women’s health PSA using state funds ahead of a November vote. Public Health Watch: Hawaii health officials detected dengue virus in wastewater from the Hilo area, noting no active local cases so far and urging travelers to prevent mosquito bites. Kidney Care in Missouri: Baxter Health adds a new nephrology specialist to its clinic, expanding care for kidney patients across southern Missouri and north central Arkansas. School & Family Health: New findings highlight that many children don’t consistently get enough sleep, and the sleep environment may be a key modifiable factor for development and family well-being. Safety & Prevention: Heat advisories continue across parts of Missouri with high heat index values, raising risks for heat illness and prompting hydration and outdoor-safety reminders.

Joplin “house of horrors” case: Four family members face upgraded charges, including first-degree kidnapping, after a 12-year-old girl with special needs was found living in unsafe conditions with about 80 animals. Mental health in hospitals: A Saint Luke’s Kansas City pilot study found weighted blankets can significantly reduce anxiety for hospitalized patients. Tick-borne allergy alert: Alpha-gal syndrome coverage highlights how lone star ticks are spreading the severe meat allergy across the region, with Arkansas offering clues. Local food security: Ozarks Food Harvest is urging donations during Hunger Action Month to keep its weekend backpack program fully funded for more than 60,000 kids. School policy fight: The U.S. DOJ sued Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over alleged secret “transgender” transition policies that withhold information from parents. Public health & safety at work: A heat-safety roundup notes Missouri employers’ legal duties as extreme heat hit parts of the state. Sports medicine note: U-M Health Care warns that doomscrolling on the toilet can raise hemorrhoid risk by encouraging prolonged sitting.

Foster Care Lawsuit: A federal lawsuit accuses Show-Me Christian Youth Home in La Monte of forced labor and sexual abuse of former residents, echoing testimony tied to Missouri’s foster care policy debate. AI in Care: WashU Medicine and BJC Health expanded the Abridge AI documentation tool to about 4,000 clinicians after a pilot showed reduced after-hours paperwork and improved clinician experience. Opioid Prevention: Jackson County Public Health installed a second 24/7 “Bluebox” naloxone vending machine in Raytown, adding fentanyl test strips and other health supplies for overdose prevention. Abortion Access: A federal judge paused a lawsuit that could have threatened nationwide access to mifepristone, keeping current dispensing rules in place while FDA review proceeds. Infant Formula Settlement: Missouri families reached a $670M settlement over claims that specialized preterm formula warnings were inadequate, tied to necrotizing enterocolitis allegations. Heat & Safety: Extreme heat index values are forecast to top 100 across Missouri and the region, prompting hydration and outdoor exposure warnings; some schools are adjusting sports schedules using heat-stress guidelines. Heart Research: Mizzou researchers won an NIH grant to study what drives aortic valve calcification and test whether blocking DOCK2 could lead to a drug treatment. Tick-Related Allergy: Alpha-gal syndrome is spreading, with lone star tick bites linked to delayed red-meat allergy symptoms in the Midwest. Local Health System Watch: St. Louis jail deaths are under scrutiny as an NAACP report says investigations into medical neglect may not align between public safety and medical providers. Public Health in Motion: Jefferson City police reported overtime strain from staffing shortages, a reminder that health and safety systems depend on workforce stability.

Migraine Prevention for Students: Missouri neurologists say back-to-college changes can trigger migraines, with stress, irregular sleep, and inconsistent meals topping the list; they recommend steady routines, hydration, regular protein at breakfast, and watching possible food triggers. ICU Update—Lionel Richie: The 77-year-old singer remains hospitalized in St. Louis after a concert health scare; reports say doctors are testing for possible heart-related issues after earlier concerns about dehydration. Opioid Safety at I-44 Rest Stops: Webster County launched the Rest Easy naloxone program at Conway welcome centers, stocking free overdose-reversal medication and aiming to reduce stigma while expanding access for travelers. Abortion Fight in Missouri Courts: Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s office is airing a $167,000 abortion-related PSA using state funds as the Missouri Supreme Court weighs whether to keep a gerrymandered map and Amendment 6 off the ballot. Local Health Care Staffing: Texas County Memorial Hospital signed a three-year contract for a full-time hospitalist role, adding inpatient support and strengthening its medical team. Heart Health Research: A new review finds both low and high testosterone levels are linked to higher risk of atrial fibrillation, suggesting “dose and target level” matter. Community Care & Screenings: Show Me Healthy Women continues offering free breast and cervical cancer screenings for eligible Missouri women.

Heat Relief & Cooling Centers: Northern Missouri residents can use daytime cooling locations (libraries, senior centers, health departments, community centers, churches, nonprofits), but hours and activation can vary—call ahead before you go. SNAP Changes: Missouri SNAP verification rules tighten Oct. 1 for new applicants and recertifications, requiring documented proof for shelter costs, dependent care, and countable resources; current households won’t need to resubmit. Infectious Disease Care in Jefferson City: SSM Health St. Mary’s adds Dr. Deesha Bhojwani, an infectious disease physician focused on HIV care, travel medicine, and complex infections. Behavioral Health Access: Fordland Clinic welcomes behavioral therapist Lori Baker (MSW, LCSW), offering in-person and telehealth services for ages 6+. Public Safety in Schools: Missouri’s new “Missouri Ranger” program lets schools voluntarily use trained security personnel under state-developed requirements, with critics warning about added firearms risk. Health & Safety in the Spotlight: A heat advisory pushes Central Missouri toward near-100-degree conditions, raising the stakes for staying safe. Medical News Beyond Missouri: FDA upgraded a Whole Foods guacamole recall to its highest threat level over possible salmonella risk. Local Health System Quality: Lake Regional Hospice earns a 5-star Medicare rating for quality and patient satisfaction. Showbiz Health Watch: Lionel Richie remains hospitalized in ICU in St. Louis after a concert-related illness, with dehydration cited in reports.

Hospital Care & Public Health: Lionel Richie, 77, was taken to a St. Louis hospital and treated in the ICU after feeling dizzy and asking for a chair during his final song at The Muny; doctors reportedly checked for possible dehydration, following a similar June hospitalization in Minnesota. Food & Nutrition Safety: The FDA issued its highest-risk Class I recall for Whole Foods Mild Guacamole Dip due to possible salmonella contamination, sold across 13 states including Missouri. Community Health & Access: Missouri Farmers Care’s Hogs for Hunger drive helped turn donated market hogs into meals—Kirksville FFA members packed 252,564 meals at the Missouri State Fair to support food-insecure families. Housing Stability: After the Mark Twain Hotel settlement, advocates say low-income and disabled tenants still face a tight timeline to find housing before move-out deadlines. Air Quality Policy: Republican attorneys general, including Missouri’s, asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision upholding stricter EPA soot pollution limits tied to health protections. Youth Mental Health & Digital Safety: Missouri is expected to decide how it will use its share of a Meta settlement aimed at restricting minors’ Instagram/Facebook use, with experts urging prevention and more mental health clinicians.

University Hospital Construction: University of Missouri Health Care says the main entrance and circle drive at University Hospital in Columbia will close to vehicle and pedestrian traffic starting Aug. 31, with patients and visitors redirected to the Children’s Hospital entrance; parking garage access stays open and the closure is expected to reopen by late September. COVID Prevention: Adams County Health Department reports CDC estimates show COVID cases rising in Missouri and Illinois and urges vaccination (and notes people can get flu and COVID shots the same day) plus frequent handwashing to reduce risk of severe illness. Local Health & Safety: Missouri State Highway Patrol reports multiple injury crashes across the region, including a Mark Twain Lake tubing collision that sent a 13-year-old to Hannibal Regional Hospital with moderate injuries. Community Health Funding: Missouri Charter Public School Commission approved $685,000 in surplus rebates to sponsored charter schools, returning funds to help schools cover student needs. Foster Care & Behavioral Health Appointments: Gov. Mike Kehoe announced board and commission appointments tied to foster care/adoption, well installation, and psychology/behavioral health. Public Health Access: Missouri’s “Food is Medicine” act takes effect Friday, aiming to help Medicare and Medicaid patients afford nutritious food.