AGP Executive Report

Georgia Health Policy Watch: New Georgia laws take effect July 1, touching health, housing, and safety—plus new rules for senior-service referral agencies to disclose conflicts of interest. Veterans & Mental Health: Still Serving Veterans opened a new headquarters in Huntsville and honored retired Maj. Scotty Smiley, spotlighting long-term support for wounded veterans and families. Public Safety & Health Impacts: A Marietta woman survived a lightning strike that sent her into cardiac arrest; she credits rapid CPR by officers and says she has no lasting effects. Community Wellness: Bulloch County Schools says it served 65,620 meals in June and highlights free breakfast/lunch options and allergen-aware menus for families. Research Oversight: AAHRPP accredited five more research entities, including major health and pharma organizations, emphasizing participant protections. Care Access (Rural): A virtual health provider argues rural access gaps are life-or-death and points to federal Rural Health Transformation funding to modernize care delivery.

Extreme Heat Safety: Metro Atlanta is bracing for dangerous heat and humidity over the July 4 weekend, with city cooling centers open and health experts urging residents—especially kids, older adults, and people with health conditions—to hydrate and watch for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Cancer Care Breakthrough: The FDA approved expanded first-line use of Trodelvy for adults with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, offering more options for patients who can’t use immunotherapy and highlighting ongoing disparities in TNBC. Food Security & Tech Leadership: Atlanta Community Food Bank promoted Jeff Werner to Chief Information Officer, aiming to strengthen technology systems that support large-scale meal distribution. Public Health & Preparedness: CDC says all 18 Americans potentially exposed to a person-to-person hantavirus strain during a cruise monitoring period completed follow-up without illness, closing the response with a potential playbook for future exposures. Community Health Access: Georgia’s new laws taking effect July 1 include changes touching health-related services and consumer protections, with additional details set to roll out statewide. Local EMS Leadership: Henry County Fire Rescue assistant chief Sam Polk is retiring after 20 years, including work advancing emergency medical services across Georgia. Health-Related Consumer Alert: FDA issued a recall for Oribae Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo due to microbial contamination, with distribution reported to include Georgia.

Heat & Safety: A “heat dome” is expected to push heat indices to 105–115°F across parts of the Midwest and East Coast through the Fourth of July, raising risks for fans and players and renewing calls for hydration and heat-illness watch. Medicare Costs: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and colleagues introduced the Medicare Cost Cap Act to cap out-of-pocket spending for Traditional Medicare at $5,000, aiming to prevent catastrophic bills for seniors. Behavioral Health Access: The Elevance Health Foundation awarded about $5.8M in new behavioral health grants to expand mental health and substance use care in under-resourced communities. Workforce Pipeline: Covista and Advocate Health launched a nursing collaboration with Chamberlain University, offering scholarships, clinical placements, and loan repayment support to grow the practice-ready nurse workforce. Training & Careers: West Georgia Technical College reported a 100% pass rate for its Radiologic Technology Class of 2026 on the ARRT exam. Local Health Systems: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta opened a new pediatric clinic in Southwest Atlanta, expanding access for kids. Maternal & Infant Health: Prisma Health received $1.6M from The Duke Endowment to improve maternal and infant health via a screening-and-referral program that connects families to medical and social services.

Extreme Heat Watch (Georgia): A heat advisory is in effect for metro Atlanta Monday noon–8 p.m., with heat index readings around 103°F and up to 108°F in parts of south metro. Forecasters warn the oppressive heat and humidity will stick around through the July Fourth holiday, with signs of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, dizziness, cramps) and heat stroke (confusion, loss of consciousness) needing urgent care. World Cup Health Risks: The National Weather Service also flags a dangerous, record-breaking heatwave across much of the central and eastern U.S. and Canada, with humidity pushing “feels like” conditions near 105–115°F—especially risky for fans traveling outside climate-controlled venues. Cancer Survivorship Spotlight: Deion Sanders says he’s “cancer-free” a year after robotic surgery to remove a cancerous bladder, describing faster recovery and renewed energy. Local Care & Safety: A Gwinnett County case ends with a $6 million settlement after a widow alleged a typo led to fatal elective surgery missteps. Community Relief (Savannah): Savannah-area businesses and volunteers are collecting medicine, food, and hygiene supplies to help Venezuela after deadly earthquakes.

Heat & Power Safety: Metro Atlanta residents faced dangerous heat and a citywide outage in Palmetto after a tree hit power lines, prompting cooling-center openings and reminders to hydrate, wear light clothing, and take breaks. Extreme Weather Anxiety: Mental health experts say disasters can spike stress and anxiety, and recommend having a plan, sticking to routines, and leaning on support after the crisis. Public Health & Access: A map highlights where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring ongoing health risks tied to water access. Local Wellness Event: Warrick Dunn’s SCULPT Brand hosted a free Tallahassee wellness day with screenings, fitness demos, and resources for families. HIV Prevention: A spotlight on the lifesaving value of regular HIV testing points to ongoing gaps in prevention access. Child Safety Alert: Clayton County police urgently searched for missing 6-year-old Ramon “RJ” Jett, described as nonverbal with a mental health condition. Healthcare Fraud: A nationwide crackdown tied to $6.5B in alleged healthcare fraud led to hundreds of charges, including Georgia providers. Ebola & War Impacts: Coverage from Atlanta notes DR Congo’s World Cup milestone amid ongoing conflict and Ebola concerns.

Public Safety: Atlanta police are investigating a non-fatal shooting at a DeKalb County apartment complex, where a woman was reported shot and a possible suspect was taken into custody. Traffic Deaths: A 50-year-old woman died after being hit by a car in downtown Atlanta; the driver faces vehicular homicide and DUI charges. Community Health Access: licehappensga.com says it has treated more than 10,000 Atlanta-area families with mobile lice removal, aiming to reduce stigma and travel barriers. Food & Nutrition Support: Fulton County’s Fresh Mobile Market will return for summer stops with free produce plus nutrition education and cooking demos in neighborhoods across Fulton County. Health & Wellness Data: A new global map highlights where safe drinking water is still out of reach, underscoring major gaps that affect health worldwide. Emergency Preparedness: Waycross-based SDG Trailers expands production of mobile emergency kitchens and disaster relief trailers for first responders and nonprofits.

World Cup Health & Safety (Georgia): DR Congo’s historic 3-1 comeback over Uzbekistan in Atlanta sent the Leopards into the Round of 32 for the first time in 52 years, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice and the team preparing to face England in Atlanta next week—an event that also spotlights public health concerns around large crowds, including infectious disease risk and travel-related safety planning. Community & Wellness (Georgia): A Metro Atlanta-area story highlights how local support can help recovery after serious injury: a benefit motorcycle ride raised more than $3,000 for a Covington County deputy now paralyzed from the waist down after a gunshot wound, with treatment underway at an Atlanta hospital. Health Policy Watch: Coverage of U.S. debates around children’s online protections and parental rights points to ongoing legal fights over age verification and data collection rules—issues that can affect family privacy and access to safer digital tools.

Maternal & NICU Support: A Macon family says their micropreemie’s 10% survival odds became a fight for better NICU support, launching the Little Warriors Project to help other parents. Public Health Preparedness: Emory specialists say Atlanta is unusually ready for Ebola risk during World Cup travel, citing past treatment experience and biocontainment capacity. Extreme Heat Watch: Forecasters warn a July 4 heat dome could push dangerous temperatures across Georgia and the East, raising emergency-room risk. Mosquito Control: A Google-backed plan would release millions of sterile male mosquitoes to curb West Nile risk in Coastal Georgia. Veterans Care Access: VA reports $36B in community care payments in fiscal 2025, while new data highlights many disability claims—like for IBM—still get denied. Community Wellness Fundraising: Thousands turned out for an Atlanta HBCU Alumni Alliance 5K with a health fair, raising about $150,000 for scholarships. Drug Safety & Narcan: A Cherokee County man received prison after swallowing fentanyl during arrest; officers used Narcan to revive him. Local Relief Efforts: Metro Atlanta groups are collecting medicine and essentials for Venezuela earthquake survivors. Animal Health: CBP reminds travelers that dogs crossing from Mexico—including U.S.-origin pets—must meet screwworm inspection rules.

Tuberculosis Alert (Johns Creek): Fulton County Board of Health notified Johns Creek High School students and staff after a TB diagnosis, with close contacts offered free testing and results days at the North Fulton Regional Health Center in Alpharetta. Heat Safety (Metro Atlanta): As a weekend heat wave moves in, FIFA Fan Fest, Zoo Atlanta, the Beltline and Piedmont Park are adding water refill stations, shade and cooling areas, plus reminders to prevent heat illness. Care Access (Atlanta VA): Channel 2 reports a disabled veteran waited 13 weeks for a primary care appointment after an ER visit, raising questions about how VA community care referrals are handled. Maternal/Child Health (Georgia): Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory are testing a potential peanut allergy treatment. Wellness Event (Magnolia): Magnolia Fire Department hosts a June 27 Wellness Day with liver cancer screening info through STRIVE, plus chronic care and holistic health resources. Public Health (World Cup): Atlanta is preparing for disease risks tied to large crowds, with officials warning about heat plus infectious threats.

Georgia Medicaid & kids’ care: A new report flags that Georgia Medicaid coverage cuts could leave special-needs children without needed therapy, raising concerns about gaps in services. Food security risk: With a federal shutdown dragging on, SNAP could run short, threatening benefits for about 42 million people nationwide and millions on WIC. Health insurance fraud & AI: Indiana is moving to curb insurers’ AI “downcoding” that can reduce payments without a chart review, part of a broader push in multiple states. Public health & outbreaks: Officials warn measles poses a bigger World Cup threat than Ebola, and CDC cautions about summer COVID-19 spread. Local safety & injuries: A White County plane crash sent two people to Northeast Georgia Medical Center; in Henry County, a SWAT search warrant led to one injury and GBI involvement. Community wellness: Atlanta influencer Cat Catoura’s viral “share your good news” project is framed as a mental-health boost through positive social sharing.

TB Exposure at Johns Creek High: Fulton County Board of Health notified families that students and staff may have been exposed to tuberculosis; free screening is offered at North Fulton Regional Health Center for those identified as close contacts. Heat Safety: Emory doctors warn that heat stroke can escalate fast—watch for heavy sweating that turns clammy, headache, nausea, and fainting; hydrate and take shade breaks. Water Safety for Kids: Metro Atlanta swim schools joined the “World’s Largest Swim Lesson,” pushing early swim instruction and water-safety habits as drowning remains a leading cause of death for young children. SNAP Payment Errors: USDA data show Georgia’s SNAP error rate is high (15.21%), and new federal cost-sharing penalties could raise state costs if errors aren’t reduced. Animal Health Rules: Screwworm detections are triggering stricter animal travel rules; veterinarians warn pet owners to plan carefully to avoid getting caught by movement restrictions. Local First-Responder Story: Sandy Springs police reunited with a boy they helped rescue after a garage door trapped him, with lifesaving care including chest compressions and transport to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Medicare Cost Caps Push: Sen. Raphael Warnock is in the middle of a new push to limit out-of-pocket costs for people in traditional Medicare, as Democrats try to spotlight affordability ahead of November. Heat Safety Watch: Forecasters warn that two heat domes may merge next week, bringing dangerous triple-digit heat index conditions across the South and Southeast. TB Exposure Alert in Johns Creek: Fulton County health officials notified a Johns Creek high school community about possible tuberculosis exposure, with free testing offered in June and July. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown in Georgia: A Georgia doctor was charged in a national Medicare/Medicaid fraud takedown, accused of submitting thousands of false claims to Georgia Medicaid. SNAP Error Costs for Georgia: New USDA data shows high SNAP payment error rates, and Georgia could face major costs under federal rules starting in 2027. Cybersecurity for Care: Amazon’s One Medical says it was hacked, while a group called ShinyHunters threatens to leak stolen data. VA Police Centralization: The VA is consolidating its police force to address safety and staffing concerns raised by oversight reports.

Medicaid & Fraud Watch: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr detailed his office’s role in a national health care fraud takedown, including a federal indictment charging an Atlanta-area provider with $4M+ in false Georgia Medicaid billings and a $375,000 civil settlement over incorrectly billed psychiatric services. Access to Care: An Atlanta mother says the Social Security Administration mistakenly declared her dead, cutting off benefits and jeopardizing her ability to afford medications and food while she fights to restore coverage. Coverage Risk: Medicaid work requirements are already rolling out in multiple states, with experts warning confusion—not lack of work—could still lead to millions losing coverage. Public Health Alerts: France confirmed the first Ebola case on European soil in this outbreak after a doctor returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo; U.S. officials say the risk to Americans remains low but early detection is key. Wellness & Community: Georgia’s Coastal Resources Division announced Beach Week 2026 (June 29–July 1) with free family events at Jekyll Island, plus stops on St. Simons and Tybee. Local Health Policy: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens issued a temporary pause on new self-storage developments, citing neighborhood impacts and “healthier” growth priorities.

New Hospital Proposal: Atrium Health is moving toward a southwest Atlanta teaching hospital with Morehouse School of Medicine, aiming to restore safety-net services after the 2022 closures of Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center and Atlanta Medical Center South, with an around-the-clock emergency department and possible Level 2 trauma care. Public Health & Safety: NOAA is flagging extreme heat risk for major World Cup host cities, including Atlanta, with concerns for open-air events and heat-related emergencies. Maternal Care Access: A Georgia midwife argues the state’s long-standing restrictions have blocked independent midwifery practice, pushing families toward care gaps and raising calls for legal reforms. Healthcare Fraud Crackdown: DOJ says it launched a record $6.5B health care fraud takedown tied to Medicaid schemes, including allegations that favored vendors siphoned funds. Local Health Workforce Pathways: Wiregrass Georgia Tech highlights its Dual Enrollment pipeline, including a student who used the program to become a CNA and now studies health promotion at UGA. Community Health Infrastructure: Georgia’s energy reliability is being framed as essential for hospitals and public health, as leaders warn power planning affects care delivery statewide. Violence Update: Police are investigating a teen shooting in Southwest Atlanta; the victim is expected to recover.

Summer Nutrition Help: MUST Ministries is packing shelf-stable meal kits for metro Atlanta kids as school ends, citing food insecurity (about 1 in 5 Georgia children) and rising grocery costs that are pushing meal prices up. Water Safety: A Roswell toddler’s drowning has renewed calls for swim lessons and stronger pool safety, with local instructors stressing drowning can be quiet and urging parents to supervise closely and get in the water with kids. Maternal/Community Health Access: Emory Hospital Warner Robins marked one year of serving Middle Georgia, highlighting ongoing efforts to expand local care. Public Health & Behavior: A growing “phone-free” trend is spreading as young adults cut screen time, swapping scrolling for in-person activities. Health Policy & Fraud Enforcement: DOJ announced a record $6.5B health care fraud crackdown, underscoring continued pressure on Medicaid and other health programs. Workforce & Training: SkillsUSA recognized students statewide, including Health Occupations Professional Portfolio winners, pointing to continued growth in health-related training pipelines.

Prison Health Crisis: Photos and accounts from Georgia prisons describe rats, insects, and moldy food—advocates say chronic hunger and inadequate nutrition fuel violence behind bars. Hypertension Research: Augusta University physiology professor Daria Ilatovskaya received the 2026 John H. Laragh Research Award from the American Journal of Hypertension for work on kidney blood pressure regulation and sex differences. Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr detailed a federal health care fraud takedown: a new indictment alleges $4M+ in false billings to Georgia Medicaid, plus a $375,000 civil settlement over incorrectly billed psychiatric services. Infectious-Disease Readiness: NETEC announced a second NSPS STAND funding round, adding up to 21 grants (up to $500,000 each) to expand high-consequence infectious disease treatment networks. Public Safety & Health: A 2-year-old died after an apparent drowning at a Roswell apartment pool; officials say first responders tried to save the child. Strength Training Longevity: New research links 90–120 minutes weekly of strength training with lower risk of death and fewer cardiovascular and neurological deaths. Domestic Violence Services: A south Georgia shelter says demand is outpacing capacity after Gov. Kemp vetoed added funding for domestic violence and sexual assault programs.