AGP Executive Report

Coal & Energy Policy: President Trump announced nearly $700M to prop up the struggling U.S. coal industry, using Cold War-era defense powers to support coal-fired plants and exports—aiming to protect jobs and extend plant operations. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlights mixed outcomes across Pennsylvania for-profit nursing homes, including a 1-star rating for Transitions Healthcare Shook Home (Franklin County) and a 5-star rating for Rosewood Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Delaware County). Health Care Safety: A Pennsylvania House bill advanced to create a Hospital Security Grant Fund for nonprofit hospitals to address workplace violence and safety needs. Public Health: Central Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak grew again, with 10 more cases reported, mostly in Lancaster County. Wellness & Community: Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s Summer Games drew 2,000+ athletes at Penn State, spotlighting inclusion through sports. Caregiving & Research: New observational studies presented at ASCO suggest GLP-1s may be linked to lower breast cancer risk and less spread. Local Health Infrastructure: Allegheny Health Network and Highmark plan a new Canonsburg-area hospital in Cecil Township, with construction starting in 2027. Safety on the Road: A car fire inside the Allegheny Tunnel shut down a large stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, with one person flown to a hospital.

Medical Malpractice: Pennsylvania’s Superior Court reinstated a lawsuit against Jefferson Abington Hospital, saying staff may have failed to monitor a psychiatric patient who escaped the ER and was struck by a car. Public Health—Ticks & Lyme: ER visits tied to tick bites are rising, and Pennsylvania is highlighted as a high-burden state for Lyme disease, with new warnings focused on prevention. End-of-Life Care: Lancaster County providers say the region already has strong palliative care and hospice options, even as lawmakers consider medical aid in dying. Clinical Breakthrough: CAR T-cell therapy helped enable kidney transplants for highly sensitized patients, offering new hope for people long stuck on waiting lists. Local Health Access: River Hills Community Health Center held a ribbon cutting for a new family practice clinic adding primary care, women’s health, and behavioral health services. Life Sciences Jobs: Gov. Shapiro joined SCHOTT Pharma USA for a ribbon cutting on an expanded Lebanon County facility, boosting manufacturing capacity and preserving 200+ jobs. Opioid Alert: A synthetic opioid called cychlorphine—reportedly far stronger than fentanyl—has been linked to a growing number of overdose deaths in multiple states. Community Wellness: An Alzheimer’s Support Group meeting in Lock Haven will focus on hearing loss and dementia, with caregiver-focused guidance.

Cancer Prevention Breakthrough (Pennsylvania): New ASCO-linked research reports women using GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) have about a 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer, based on analysis of more than 110,000 women ages 45–80. Clinical Innovation (Transplant Care): A Penn-led CAR T-cell trial enabled two highly sensitized kidney patients to finally receive compatible transplants, with results published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Public Health Watch: The FDA is investigating two fresh foodborne illness outbreaks—one involving Listeria and another involving Cyclospora—while continuing work on multiple Salmonella outbreaks tied to moringa supplements. School Health & Safety (Pennsylvania): The Pa. House passed a bill restricting cell phone use during the school day, and another measure advances requiring school staff to complete epilepsy response training. Aging & Long-Term Care (CMS Nursing Home Data): CMS rankings and ratings highlighted several Pennsylvania nursing homes in Q1 2026, including facilities earning top scores (like a 5-star UPMC Northwest Transitional Care Unit in Venango County) alongside lower-rated homes. Community Support & Access: Summer meal and grocery assistance programs are starting in Venango County, offering free lunches for kids through late August.

Pediatric Mental Health Access: Blackbird Health opened a new pediatric mental health clinic in Manheim Township, starting with a small in-person team and now accepting new patients (including evaluations, therapy, and medication management). Cancer & GLP-1s: New research presented at ASCO adds to growing signals that GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic/Wegovy) may be linked with lower rates of several cancers, including breast cancer, and possibly better outcomes for some patients. Pregnancy & Movement: A new study warns that prolonged sitting in pregnancy is tied to higher risk of adverse outcomes such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, with risk rising sharply for those sitting more than 10 hours daily. Heart Care Research: The American Heart Association launched a national heart transplant research network aimed at improving outcomes and closing gaps in innovation and equity. Tick Season Reminder: Health officials are urging Pennsylvanians to step up tick prevention as spring tick activity rises. Community Youth Wellness: A Reading youth summit focused on resilience, safety, and making healthy choices, connecting students with local resources and support. Workforce Training: Pennsylvania awarded $4.3M in equipment grants to schools and career and technical centers to expand hands-on training for in-demand jobs. Health Fraud Alert: The FBI is seeking a Pennsylvania woman accused of faking a terminal brain cancer diagnosis to scam donors, including trips abroad.

Paid Parental Leave Debate (Allegheny County): Allegheny County residents and business owners weighed in on a proposal for 18 weeks of paid parental leave, with supporters calling it essential and opponents warning it could strain small employers. Neighborhood Hospital Expansion (Delaware County): ChristianaCare opened ChristianaCare Hospital, Aston, bringing 24/7 emergency care and key diagnostics to the community, with more outpatient services planned later in 2026. Opioid Safety Alert (Pennsylvania): Health experts warn about “orphines,” a new, extremely potent opioid class linked to overdose deaths, noting naloxone may require multiple doses. Medical Marijuana Access (Harrisburg): The Pennsylvania House approved “Ryan’s Law,” requiring hospitals and other facilities to allow approved medical cannabis for terminally ill patients. Child Death Reviews Gap (Statewide): Advocates say many Pennsylvania counties still aren’t reviewing every child death since 2020, citing limited state support and volunteer time. Spring Injury Prevention (Lehigh Valley): Doctors urge caution during gardening and yard work, highlighting sprains/strains and power-tool injuries as common preventable risks. Community Health & Fitness (Blair County): Garver Memorial YMCA unveiled upgrades to its wellness center after a Nason Foundation grant boosted equipment and refreshed the space.

GLP-1 & Cancer Link: New research presented June 2 finds women taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs (like Ozempic/Wegovy) had about a 30% to 35% lower risk of developing breast cancer, though experts stress it’s observational and needs stronger clinical trials. Stroke Care Upgrade (UPMC): UPMC Harrisburg earned the highest Joint Commission/American Stroke Association Comprehensive Stroke Center certification, highlighting 24/7 advanced capabilities and faster access to lifesaving procedures. Mental Health Workforce: Philadelphia’s Black Brain Campaign held a Spring Mental Health Summit with clinicians and leaders focused on strengthening the mental health workforce, licensure pathways, and supervision. Elder Abuse Oversight: Spotlight PA reports Pennsylvania agencies scaled back older-adult abuse oversight, including cases where hotline calls were reportedly downgraded without full follow-up. Tick Season Warning: A new forecast flags high tick risk across multiple states including Pennsylvania, urging repellents, tick checks, and quick removal to reduce Lyme risk. School Start-Time Push: Seneca Valley is weighing a bill that would incentivize later school start times based on adolescent sleep science. Public Health Infrastructure: Shapiro administration announced $7.49M in Community Development Block Grant funding for water, sewage, and public facility upgrades across seven Pennsylvania counties. Hospital Labor Update: Wilkes-Barre General Hospital nurses’ union contract was overwhelmingly ratified after a new owner took over, with workers citing stability for critical services.

School Health Policy: Pennsylvania’s House passed a “bell-to-bell” cellphone ban for students, with districts required to restrict phones during school hours by 2027-28 while allowing exceptions for medical needs and disabilities; the bill now heads to the Senate. Public Health—Ticks: CDC reports ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with warmer weather driving more tick activity across the Northeast and Midwest; quick removal is key. Maternal Care Quality: UPMC Northwest earned a gold designation from the Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative for work targeting maternal sepsis. Opioid Funding: Washington County’s opioid settlement trust committee recommended six grant projects, including treatment and recovery housing support. Animal Welfare & Safety: Authorities broke up a Delaware County cockfight, arresting 25 people and rescuing 52 birds. Health Tech & AI: Penn Medicine is preparing for FIFA World Cup medical coverage and is also expanding AI clinical agents across its system via a multi-year deal. Health Fraud Alert: The FBI is seeking a Pennsylvania woman accused of faking terminal brain cancer to scam friends and family.

Health Care Access & Costs: A new report highlights how Pennsylvanians are struggling to stay alive as premiums, deductibles, and Medicaid/ACA cuts push care out of reach. Elder Care Funding: State Sen. Maria Collett is renewing a push for a statewide skill games tax to stabilize funding for Area Agencies on Aging as seniors face service cuts. Public Health Transparency: Lawmakers want school-level measles vaccination data made easier for parents to find, after reporting found many schools below herd-immunity targets. Infectious Disease Watch: Norovirus is spiking in multiple U.S. cities, with wastewater surveillance suggesting rising levels heading into summer. Cancer Research: A small trial suggests a vitamin D analog may help make pancreatic tumors more vulnerable to chemotherapy, with improved outcomes noted. Local Health Services: St. Luke’s senior meal program keeps dinners affordable at $3.99 and is drawing regulars across several Pennsylvania counties. Cybersecurity in Health Systems: Guthrie Clinic named Mangoné Fall as CISO to strengthen digital trust and protect patient data. Safety & Injury: A Pequea Township man died after an e-scooter crash with a street sweeper; e-scooters are not currently allowed on Pennsylvania public roads.

AI & Cancer Info: Penn researchers say most online AI-and-cancer resources are low quality and often skip key risks, calling for better patient-facing tools as AI enters care. AI in Care Delivery: Penn Medicine is partnering with K Health to deploy AI clinical agents that can automate intake and draft EHR notes, starting with its virtual urgent care. Long COVID: A new AI-based study finds long COVID may affect about 1 in 6 people after COVID—more than double prior estimates—highlighting how current tracking misses cases. Diabetes Treatment: The FDA approved Afrezza, inhaled needle-free insulin, for children with diabetes—first option of its kind for kids. Extreme Heat Help: Penn experts say Pennsylvania needs stronger cooling assistance for energy-insecure residents to reduce heat-related health harms. Water Safety: Local YMCA programs are pushing swim lessons as drowning risk rises with summer. Public Health & Safety: PennDOT and State Police highlighted Operation Yellow Jacket enforcement in work zones. Community Wellness: Catholic Social Services in NEPA reports ongoing hunger and shelter support, including programs for people with mental health challenges. Health Fraud Alert: FBI added a Pennsylvania woman accused of faking terminal brain cancer to its Most Wanted list after alleged luxury-trip spending. Local Recreation Access: PennDOT approved new ATV connector routes in Tioga County to expand safe outdoor recreation.

FDA & Diabetes Care: Pennsylvania teen Greg Stanoch helped test Afrezza, the first needle-free inhaled insulin option for kids with Type 1 diabetes, now FDA-approved—aimed at making daily management less stressful. AI & Cancer Info: New research at the ASCO meeting finds online AI-and-cancer content is often low quality and may miss key risks, highlighting a need for clearer patient resources. Local Access to Care: ChristianaCare plans a new 24/7 neighborhood hospital in Aston, with inpatient services and emergency care for about 15,000 patients a year. Public Health on the Ground: Scranton is expanding street medicine via a mobile clinic that brings check-ups to people experiencing homelessness. Health & Safety Alerts: A propane leak sparked a basement explosion in Lancaster Township, sending one person to the hospital with burns and condemning the home after structural damage. Child Safety & Justice: A Lancaster-area man was charged after an alleged assault injured a 13-month-old toddler. Health Screenings for Seniors: A Penn State Health physician highlights why regular checkups and blood tests matter for catching problems early in adults over 65.

Road Safety & First Responders: A Central Berks Police officer, Kristen Yeager, died after a single-vehicle crash while responding to an emergency call in Earl Township; state police are investigating. Community Health & Trauma: A child died after being hit by a vehicle in Harrisburg; police are investigating. Public Health Funding: FEMA released $600M in public assistance to Pennsylvania to reimburse COVID-19 hospital costs, including major allocations for Geisinger and WellSpan. Lung Cancer Awareness: The 12th annual Lung Force Walk drew 1,000+ participants at the Philadelphia Zoo, highlighting lung cancer’s impact and the role of community support. Hypertension Drug Update: Mineralys Therapeutics presented new Phase 3 Launch-HTN data on lorundrostat showing meaningful blood pressure reductions in people with hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Health & Wellness in the News: Central PA’s weekend forecast points to dry, pleasant weather with breezy conditions—good timing for outdoor activity. ICE Detention Concerns: An AP investigation reports an alarming spike in suicides among ICE detainees, renewing scrutiny of medical and mental health oversight.

White House Health Update: A memo says President Trump is in “excellent health” after a Walter Reed physical, with counseling on diet, low-dose aspirin, more activity, and continued weight loss. Wildlife Safety: The Pennsylvania Game Commission urges people to leave young deer and other wildlife alone—“hider strategy” means babies often look abandoned but aren’t. Heat & Power Bills: A heatwave is driving up electricity demand and prices; Pennsylvania has options, including virtual power plants, to respond faster than new infrastructure. Maternal Care Recognition: Punxsutawney Area Hospital earned a Perinatal Quality Improvement Designation for work on standardized education for postpartum sepsis. Drowning Alerts: A 5-year-old is in serious critical condition after a near-drowning in a Washington County backyard pool; a Lehigh County teen also died after jumping into Jordan Creek. UPMC Response: UPMC says it’s ready to respond after facility closures. Local Wellness & Community: Mohegan Pennsylvania reopened an outdoor dining space with proceeds benefiting Allied Services.

Maternal Health Education: A new nationally representative UPenn survey finds many people still miss key pregnancy guidance—especially that you shouldn’t drink alcohol when trying to get pregnant—even as awareness about alcohol during pregnancy rises. Stroke Care Upgrade: UPMC Harrisburg earned the highest level of stroke certification, highlighting round-the-clock advanced stroke treatment and faster access to procedures like thrombectomy. Food & Allergy Safety: The FDA issued a highest-risk recall warning for certain Wawa iced teas and lemonade products due to possible undeclared milk allergens. Water Quality Watch: Corry’s drinking water received a poor grade in an online report, though local officials say recent consumer confidence results were good and testing is ongoing. Rural Health Access Funding: USDA Rural Development announced $2.2M for community projects in Schuylkill and Northampton, including an emergency shelter and a rural dental college. Community Health Infrastructure: Pennsylvania’s Shapiro administration approved $750,000 for brownfield remediation in Carlisle to support future mixed-use development. Health Coverage Costs: New data shows more Americans are dropping Obamacare coverage, with affordability driving cancellations in multiple states.

Inflation Watch: A key inflation gauge jumped to 3.8% in April, the highest in three years, with rising prices for groceries, clothing, and electricity—pressuring household budgets and complicating political plans ahead of midterms. Health Care Funding: Lehigh County commissioners backed up to $480M in hospital revenue bonds tied to St. Luke’s University Health Network, including an emergency department expansion and campus medical office plans. Medicaid Dollars, Local by Local: Medicaid ambulance/transport bills surged in Lansdale ($1.4M, +97.4%) and Doylestown ($481,767, +63.9%), while vision services climbed in Kennett Square (+29.2% to $60,560) and Hermitage (+350.4% to $39,228). Workplace Health & Access: Teamsters at Bazooka authorized a strike after months of contract talks, citing wages and affordable health care concerns. Public Health Tech: HHS is offering states $6M to pilot predictive tools in child welfare systems, aiming to improve decisions about child safety. Safety Reminder: A 12-year-old died during a Pennsylvania school rafting trip, underscoring the need for close water supervision and life vests.

ICE suicide surge: An AP investigation says suicides among ICE detainees are rising at an alarming pace since January 2025, with detainees reporting delays in mental health care and restrictions on family contact. Senior services funding fight: Harrisburg lawmakers and aging advocates are debating whether to tax and regulate games of skill, arguing the revenue should support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Food safety recall: A beverage recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination is affecting 25 states, including Pennsylvania, with warnings aimed at young children and people with weakened immune systems. Health access spotlight: A new study ranks Pennsylvania among the least healthy states, citing metrics like obesity, smoking, excessive drinking, air quality, and sleep adequacy. Maternal care support: Women’s Care Center in York received a new ultrasound machine after a Knights of Columbus fundraising effort, helping expand free, confidential services. Public health education: Pennsylvania’s Civic Engagement Awards recognized 35 high schools for registering thousands of eligible students to vote.

Health Care Access & Safety: A new Select Medical Neuro Transitional Center opened in Harrisburg to provide specialized neurorehabilitation for brain and spinal cord injuries and neurological diseases. Hospital Operations: UPMC Lock Haven’s ER briefly closed after an electrical fire in a utility room, with patients and staff evacuated and the facility reopening the next morning. Community Wellness & Support: Breakthrough T1D’s free T1D Summer Series returns at Core Creek Park, offering food, activities, and family support for people living with type 1 diabetes. Public Health & Prevention: The American Cancer Society added blood-based colorectal cancer screening options (Shield test) for average-risk adults 45+ who haven’t used visual or stool tests. Caregiving & Workplace Health: Allegheny County’s board advanced a proposed rule that would require paid parental leave and expand paid sick leave, with public comment now open. Health Equity Oversight: Civil rights leader Al Sharpton is calling for 340B transparency in Pennsylvania as oversight concerns grow around how savings are used. Local Health Infrastructure: A new sensory room at Ross Library in Lock Haven is set to open with an open house, designed to reduce stress for children and others. Health-Related Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced bills targeting “zombie mines” to strengthen cleanup requirements and push companies to pay for long-term harm.