AGP Executive Report

SNAP & Medicaid Pressure: About 35,000 Marylanders lost SNAP benefits as federal eligibility changes took effect Oct. 1, while the state also faces higher SNAP admin costs; advocates warn food assistance organizations are seeing more families with fewer benefits. Immigration Health Coverage: Maryland says the first wave of federal cuts will remove Medicaid coverage for about 4,500 legally living immigrants, with broader impacts estimated at hundreds of thousands statewide. Medicare Advantage Costs: CMS projects Medicare Advantage premiums will drop more than 16% on average in 2027, with prescription drug premiums down sharply. Public Health & Safety in Baltimore: Maryland and Curtis Bay Energy reached a settlement that ends medical waste incineration at the South Baltimore facility, with a phase-out timeline and penalties. Law Enforcement Face Mask Ban Fight: The DOJ sued Maryland over SB 1, which restricts opaque face coverings for officers and requires visible identification, arguing it improperly targets federal enforcement. Environment & Health: States and cities, including Maryland, sued to block EPA repeal of power-plant greenhouse gas limits, citing worsening health impacts from higher emissions. Community Wellness: Baltimore County plans to reopen low-cost public pools in Dundalk and Randallstown on a pilot schedule, expanding affordable swim access.

Maryland Health Policy & Access: Hundreds of new Maryland laws take effect Oct. 1, including child-care criminal background checks, limits on dynamic pricing tied to personal data, and new rules aimed at cracking down on out-of-state vehicle registrations. Prescription Drug Costs: Michigan AG Dana Nessel is urging consumers to check eligibility and file claims tied to multistate settlements over inflated generic drug prices. Public Health & Safety: A CDC-backed report finds most sudden unexpected infant deaths involved unsafe sleep factors, underscoring the need for safer sleep practices. Community Health Events: A free Community Health & Wellness Fair is set for Oct. 9 in Southern Maryland with screenings (glucose, blood pressure, vision/hearing, skin cancer) and vaccinations. Workforce Pipeline: RadNet and WIN-NextGen are launching a Maryland/DC-area program to mentor middle and high school students and young adults into medical imaging careers. Food Insecurity Support: Ivy & Pearls of Southern Maryland received an $11,100 grant to help residents navigate SNAP and other nutrition assistance. Medical Research: A Phase 3b trial reports lebrikizumab improved hand-and-foot atopic dermatitis symptoms, including itch and pain.

Perimenopause Spotlight: Johns Hopkins’ Wen Shen, MD, urged clinicians to treat perimenopause as a “watershed moment” for healthy aging, warning that symptoms are often dismissed simply because patients still have periods. Food as Medicine in Maryland: The Maryland Department of Health is awarding $10 million for Produce Rx, including fresh produce prescriptions and nutrition counseling for adults with hypertension in Dorchester and Caroline counties. Measles Watch: Health officials warned Fort Wayne Zoo visitors about possible measles exposure and urged people to check MMR status and monitor symptoms. Local Health Access: A free healthcare clinic is coming to Largo this weekend, but spots are expected to fill quickly. Care Coverage Risk: Reporting flags that tens of thousands of Maryland seniors could lose Medicare Advantage plans in 2027, with Baltimore City hit hardest. Public Health & Safety: Maryland also faces ongoing scrutiny over overcrowding and conditions at a Baltimore ICE facility, as a judge orders ICE reports after hold room violations.

Medicaid & Data Security: Maryland’s Insurance Administration approved a 14.6% average jump in unsubsidized ACA premiums for 2027, hitting about 274,000 people and making open enrollment (Nov. 1) a high-stakes shopping window. Public Health: Maryland confirmed a West Nile virus case and urged mosquito-proofing steps like repellent use and eliminating standing water. Health Access in Rural Maryland: St. Mary’s County Health Department won $3.53M to launch St. Mary’s 360, a countywide “connected care” effort linking residents to medical, behavioral health, oral health, wellness, and digital supports. Clinical Innovation: Roche rolled out a newborn screening test kit in markets accepting CE—covering SMA, SCID, and sickle cell—to speed early diagnosis. Care Policy Watch: UPMC will end pediatric gender-affirming care after a DOJ agreement, raising alarm among advocates in Maryland and beyond. Research & Prevention: A University of Maryland-led study modeled how dropping Florida school vaccine rules could trigger a measles surge, with peaks far above recent U.S. levels.

Sepsis Care Upgrade: Sinai Hospital in Baltimore has started using the FDA-authorized Sepsis ImmunoScore, a new AI tool meant to flag adult sepsis risk using clinical and lab data within 24 hours. Public Health & Safety: Maryland reported traffic deaths dropped below 500 for the first time in a decade, but officials warned impairment, distraction, speeding and aggressive driving remain major causes. Health Policy & Costs: A “flush tax” explainer broke down how Maryland’s Bay Restoration Fee funds Chesapeake Bay pollution-cutting projects. Community Health Concerns: Columbia residents and scientists urged the Maryland Department of the Environment to deny W.R. Grace’s plastic recycling research permit, citing potential health risks from plastic incineration. Medicaid/Access: Baltimore is moving forward with new opioid grants to neighborhood groups. Healthcare Workforce: Coverage highlighted Maryland’s nurse practitioner shortage and how clinical placement gaps limit care. Local Crime Impacting Health: After a shooting near Towson University, police arrested 17 people; a man was hospitalized with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound.

Maryland healthcare policy: Nearly 300 new Maryland laws take effect Oct. 1, including a first-in-the-nation ban on certain “predatory pricing” tactics that rely on consumer surveillance data—an issue that could affect grocery pricing and how retailers set costs. Public health & prevention: Flu season is ramping up in Maryland, and Johns Hopkins experts say older adults should consider the newly approved mRNA flu vaccine (mFlusiva) for potentially faster production and a better match to circulating strains. Health care access & innovation: KeraLink International added Sujanita Srinivas to its board, bringing GE Healthcare partnership leadership to its mission to expand access to eye care and reduce avoidable corneal blindness. Clinical guidance: Updated ADA/EASD guidance for adult type 1 diabetes focuses on clearer diagnosis and differentiating T1D from type 2—aimed at reducing misdiagnosis. Research: Scientists report transplanted hearts can shift biological age after surgery, with older donor hearts showing signs of rejuvenation in younger recipients.

New Cancer Care in Maryland: United Theranostics opened an outpatient clinic in Bethesda with PET/CT imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapies, including Pluvicto, Xofigo and Lutathera for prostate cancer and other cancers. Workforce Access Gap: Maryland’s nurse practitioner shortage is tied to a bottleneck in clinical placements, with one platform (Clinical Match Me) aiming to speed up matching for NP students. Local Mental Health Support: The Mental Health Association launched an online directory of 2,000+ Western Maryland mental health and wellness resources, with yearly verification of listings. Public Health Watch: Delaware measles cases remain at 23, but officials urge residents to stay vigilant and ensure full MMR vaccination. Food Safety Recall: USDA recalled 4,596 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken stew products distributed in Maryland and seven other states due to inspection concerns. Community Health & Wellness Events: St. Mary’s County will host a free drive-thru community baby shower with supplies and pregnancy/family resources. Violence Prevention Milestone: Baltimore’s Safe Streets Belvedere marked more than a year without a homicide, with conflict mediation credited as part of the approach. Data Privacy: A multistate settlement reached with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach includes stronger vendor security requirements and payments to states.

Hospital & Health Policy: Maryland approved a 14.6% average premium rate increase for 2027 on the Maryland Health Connection, following last year’s 13.4% hike tied to expiring federal tax credits—raising costs for about 274,000 enrollees. Data Privacy: Maryland is joining a $2.3 million Labcorp settlement over the 2019 American Medical Collection Agency data breach that potentially exposed millions nationwide, including about 451,000 Maryland residents, with requirements aimed at tightening security and vendor oversight. Cancer Research & Regulation: NeOnc Technologies announced an FDA End-of-Phase 1 Type B meeting for its NEO212 program, scheduled for Nov. 17 at FDA’s White Oak campus in Silver Spring, to discuss trial design and what’s needed for a future marketing application. Mental Health & Safety: A report highlights five suicides in a month among personnel at U.S. Cyber Command and NSA at Fort Meade, prompting lawmakers to press for action as leaders and staff face isolation and a culture of silence. Community Health & Access: Garrett County Public Schools will roll out a behavioral health screener for Pre-K through 12th grade, with a parent opt-out option, as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Local Health System Watch: AHEAD hospital rate-setting changes are moving forward in Maryland, with new proposals that could reshape how hospital rates are set under the HSCRC waiver.

Food Safety Recall: FDA says nearly 333 pounds of Buckhead tuna distributed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland are being recalled after elevated scombrotoxin levels that can cause food poisoning; the recall is Class II and involves specific refrigerated Styrofoam packages. Public Health & Nutrition: A separate health note highlights honeydew melon as a low-calorie hydration option with vitamin C and potassium, urging people to wash the rind before cutting. Lead Alert for Families: Maryland testing triggered a recall of Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning sold in multiple states after elevated lead levels were found; officials warn kids are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Local Fire Safety: Baltimore County firefighters rescued a child trapped in a basement during a Loch Raven house fire; two people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Healthcare Workforce/Access: St. Mary’s County commissioners approved a lease to keep the College of Southern Maryland Wellness and Aquatics Center operating on the Leonardtown campus, preserving swim lessons and therapy pool access. Data Privacy/Payments: Maryland’s ACA marketplace rate increase (14.6%) and Labcorp-related patient data breach settlements are in the news this week, underscoring ongoing consumer health coverage and privacy pressure.

Cybersecurity & Health Data: Maryland AG Anthony G. Brown announced a $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp tied to the 2019 AMCA debt-collector data breach, affecting 451,558 Maryland residents. State Policy: Maryland voters will decide in November on Question 1, the Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026, which would require governors’ budgets to fund labor agreement terms reached via negotiation or neutral arbitration. Community Wellness: Calvert County’s Burnett Center for Hope & Healing opens with grief support, therapeutic art, and caregiver-focused cancer survivorship yoga events. Research & Innovation: UMD and Microsoft opened a new Microsoft Quantum Research Center in College Park, part of Maryland’s “Capital of Quantum” push. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA announced a recall of nearly 333 pounds of Buckhead tuna distributed in Maryland and four other states after elevated scombrotoxin levels. Health & Aging Science: Johns Hopkins researchers report that lower spine bone mineral density may track with faster brain aging, using chest CT and brain MRI data.

Hospital Fees & Consumer Protection: The University of Maryland Medical System will pay a $2.25M settlement to the state over outpatient facility-fee notices that didn’t meet Maryland’s Facility Fee Right-to-Know Act standards, with restitution checks expected for affected patients. Prescription Costs: A Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board update argues the state is making progress on drug affordability and calls for continued action. Medicaid Access: A lawsuit in federal court challenges a Trump administration rule tightening exemptions from Medicaid work requirements for people deemed “medically frail,” including a Maryland case filed in the District of Maryland. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA issued a recall of Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning sold in six states after Maryland Department of Health testing found elevated lead; consumers are told to discard or return it. Youth Mental Health: Southern Maryland families get a guide to where to start for child and teen mental health care, from outpatient therapy to crisis programs. School Attendance: St. Mary’s County schools report chronic absenteeism fell to 23.1% by June 2026 as officials target barriers like transportation, health, and housing. Community Wellness: Oxford Community Center launches a free Financial Wellness Wednesdays series focused on estate planning and retirement options.

Juvenile Justice & Public Safety: Baltimore officials are pushing for juvenile justice reform after a stolen car crash into an MTA bus left 16 people hospitalized, including four teens; Mayor Brandon Scott and Police Commissioner Richard Worley said the system is failing youth and needs an overhaul. Cardiac Care: New heart-attack diagnostic guidance urges doctors to use different troponin cutoff levels for women and men, aiming to reduce missed diagnoses and speed treatment for women. Suicide Prevention Research: A Muskingum University–coauthored national study found that college students reporting a stronger sense of purpose and meaning had lower rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, even after accounting for mental health factors. Medicaid & Health Coverage: Maryland Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition opposing a proposed federal CMS rule that could threaten Medicaid funding and states’ control over insurance and health exchange oversight. Data Privacy: Maryland’s AG office audit into the 2016 Tawon Boyd death declined to reopen the case, while separate multistate actions highlight ongoing pressure on health data security after Labcorp-related breaches. Community Health Events: Easton’s Parks and Recreation will host a Health and Wellness Fair Oct. 3 with a 5K walk and local health resources. Food Safety: FDA-linked recall: Galil Importing’s Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning was pulled after Maryland testing found elevated lead.

Medicaid & Housing: Garrett County will launch a Medicaid Housing Support program (ACIS) to help residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness stabilize housing while coordinating health care and case management. Public Health Policy: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined a coalition urging HHS to keep federal vaccine guidance science-based, warning recent changes could confuse families and lower vaccination rates. Health Care Access Tech: BETA Technologies is starting North Carolina eIPP flight operations to test faster delivery of medical supplies and care teams for rural hospitals and clinics. Clinical Communication: New guidance targets better post-acute kidney injury discharge communication between inpatient and outpatient clinicians and with patients. Workplace Health & Rights: The EEOC sued MedStar Health over a withdrawn job offer tied to a disability involving ongoing IV medication treatment in Maryland. Community Health & Safety: Baltimore police say 16 people were hospitalized after a stolen car crash into an MTA bus in East Baltimore, including juveniles in the vehicle. Local Wellness: A ribbon cutting marked the new St. Angela Athletic and Wellness Center at the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington.

Data Privacy & Health Tech: LabCorp reached a $2.3M multistate settlement tied to a 2019 patient data breach involving its medical debt collector, AMCA—raising fresh questions about how health data is protected when vendors handle it. Local Health Equity & Environment: Baltimore residents pushed back on a proposed data center bill that would require a health equity assessment within 1.5 miles of new sites, arguing the measure could better force developers to disclose risks. Parkinson’s Care in Maryland: The University of Maryland will host a Parkinson’s Disease Symposium focused on helping patients find meaning and regain control while living with chronic, incurable symptoms. Public Health Funding: UMES is set to receive $2.1M in additional federal funding to support programs and student success, including efforts tied to a new veterinary medicine school. Work Zone Safety: A DUI crash injured a Maryland state trooper on I-695; the trooper has been released, but officials again urged drivers to slow down in construction zones. Community Health Access: Beebe Healthcare announced fall flu-shot clinics across Sussex County, offering no-appointment vaccination options for adults (with high-dose for seniors).

Medicaid & drug access: Maryland Attorney General Brown urged consumers to claim compensation for inflated generic drug prices, as state and federal fights over affordability keep heating up. Public health access: A new free Germantown clinic in Montgomery County will offer flu shots and medical consultations this Friday, aiming to reduce barriers like cost and transportation. Health tech & safety modeling: Deep Origin’s ARPA-H-funded PREDICTS consortium is rolling out in silico ADMET drug safety prediction models with partners, using virtual human organ models to prioritize safer candidates. Cancer screening push: MariMed’s Betty’s Eddies is partnering with Keep A Breast Foundation to promote breast cancer screening education and awareness across Maryland in October. Community health & environment: Residents near W.R. Grace’s recycling technology pilot in Columbia are raising health and safety concerns, while the company says emissions are minimal. Food safety: Wakefern recalled select Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened applesauce jars after FDA testing found elevated patulin levels. Local health workforce: Maryland’s Ascension Saint Agnes nurses ratified a first union contract limiting out-of-specialty floating after strikes.

Child Safety & Justice: Prince George’s County police charged 26-year-old Alwin Strachan with second-degree murder, manslaughter and child abuse in the death of his 13-month-old son, Kyro Strachan, ruling blunt force trauma a homicide. Public Health: Harford County health officials launched an oral rabies vaccination bait pilot, placing 15,000+ vaccine baits as rabies positives rise (28 so far this year, matching 2025 totals). Mental Health Access: University of Maryland Shore Medical Group Behavioral Health added Heather Koontz, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, to its inpatient team at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. Care & Coverage Policy: A lawsuit challenges new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the rule wrongly narrows who qualifies for exemptions and could block coverage for medically vulnerable adults. Health System Accountability: Maryland’s Office of Legislative Audits says the state missed about $42M in Medicaid payments tied to local health departments and providers, with transparency concerns flagged. Prescription Costs: AARP Maryland and Queen Anne’s at Home plan an Oct. 6 forum on prescription drug affordability and 2027 changes to Maryland’s cost protections.