AGP Executive Report

Medicaid & Access: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB1091 to change Medicaid payments for rehab centers and nursing facilities treating severe brain and spinal cord injuries, shifting payments away from managed care for fewer than 150 Nebraskans. Medicaid Work Rules: New federal guidance lets states use a “tier system” to exempt people from Medicaid work/volunteer requirements based on medical frailty, but advocates warn it could still create red tape and coverage losses. Obamacare Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Nebraska, will get $500 refunds for alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges, with eligibility tied to buying plans on HealthCare.gov without premium subsidies. Public Health Alert: Nebraska extended health alerts for harmful algal blooms at Big Indian Lake and Cub Creek Lake, advising residents to avoid swallowing lake water and to keep pets out. Foodborne Illness: A Cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled lettuce—reported with 12,883 illnesses, 570 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 21 states—has ended, though FDA’s investigation continues. Legal/Health Policy: The Nebraska Supreme Court rejected another challenge to the state’s voter-approved medical cannabis laws, dismissing a long-running federal preemption argument. Community Mental Health: The Palisades Community Renewal Center marked its first year with free therapy and wellness support for wildfire-impacted families.

ACA Refunds: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Nebraska, will get $500 refunds for alleged Obamacare overcharges tied to federal exchange “user fees,” with checks starting in October. Medicaid Eligibility: New federal rules starting Oct. 1 could change Medicaid coverage for some noncitizens in Nebraska, with DHHS warning certain immigration statuses may lose eligibility even before renewal dates. Specialized Care Access: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1091 to streamline Nebraska Medicaid coverage for people needing specialized long-term care, including traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Hospital Tech: CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney launched remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring for heart failure patients, aiming to catch worsening earlier from home. Rehab Recertification: Mary Lanning Healthcare’s cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs earned national recertification from AACVPR. Faster Lab Answers: Great Plains Health in North Platte added MALDI-TOF testing to identify certain bacterial causes of sepsis in under 24 hours. Local Health Funding: Omaha Public Schools faces a $50M state aid shortfall and proposes an 8.2-cent levy increase, with health insurance costs part of the budget pressure. Court Ruling: Nebraska Supreme Court blocked the “Respect Nebraska Voters” ballot measure for violating the single-subject rule.

Specialty Medicaid Care: Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB 1091 to streamline access to specialized long-term care for Nebraskans with complex conditions, aiming to reduce prior-authorization delays. Faster Lab Answers: Great Plains Health in North Platte rolled out MALDI-TOF testing to identify certain infections in hours, helping clinicians start targeted antibiotics sooner. Remote Heart Failure Monitoring: CHI Health Good Samaritan launched remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring for heart failure, using an implanted sensor to send daily readings to care teams. Dental Care for Veterans: Nebraska’s Veterans Mission of Mercy delivered free dental services worth over $600,000, with thousands of procedures provided over two days. Medicaid Eligibility Changes: Starting Oct. 1, new federal rules will tighten Medicaid eligibility for some noncitizens in Nebraska, with potential coverage losses even before renewal dates. Rural Health Workforce: Nebraska is seeking a Rural Health Advisory Commission member who’s a licensed PA and lives or works in a county under 15,000 residents. Cancer Screenings at Husker Harvest Days: Free, no-appointment cancer screenings and prevention resources run Sept. 15–17 for rural Nebraskans. Health Costs Watch: The Trump administration announced $500 Obamacare refund checks for about 1 million people in 30 states, with payments expected to begin in October. School Cardiac Preparedness: Norfolk Catholic earned a Heart Safe designation after adding AEDs and training through Project ADAM with Children’s Nebraska.

Blood Supply Alert: The American Red Cross says the U.S. is in a national blood crisis again, with donations down to a four-year low and O positive distribution limited to protect patients. Local Health Access: Creighton and Children’s Nebraska are teaming up to fill gaps with free injury-prevention tools and the student-run Magis Clinic offering services like wound care and women’s health. Public Health Watch: CDC reports nearly 20,000 lab-confirmed Cyclospora cases this season, far above last year, with many illnesses tied to iceberg lettuce traced to a Mexico operation. Nebraska Care & Safety: Norfolk Catholic earned a Heart Safe designation through Project ADAM, adding AEDs and emergency training for sudden cardiac arrest response. Disability Services Scrutiny: Parents and advocates say Nebraska’s interRAI assessment system has serious calculation errors affecting Medicaid waiver funding and eligibility for people with developmental disabilities. Flu Shot Convenience: Hy-Vee pharmacies in Nebraska now offer 2026-2027 flu vaccines with no appointment needed. Community Support: Central Nebraska families are rallying after an e-bike death, raising funds to cover medical and funeral costs. Wellness Trend: Instacart reports a surge in “protein” and “fiber” searches, driven in part by GLP-1 medication guidance.

Omaha Public Safety: Diontrey Rodgers, 32, was booked on a first-degree murder warrant tied to the Aug. 16 North Omaha shooting death of Lashawn Lessley Jr., according to court records. Local Health Access: Creighton and Children’s Nebraska are teaming up to help close gaps for new parents and students, including free injury-prevention tools and the Magis Clinic for services like wound care and mental health. Medicaid & Disability Oversight: Parents and mental health professionals say Nebraska’s interRAI disability assessment has seven apparent errors that could shift funding and services for people seeking Medicaid waivers. School Health Preparedness: Norfolk Catholic received a Heart Safe designation through Project ADAM, adding AEDs and training for sudden cardiac arrest response. Flu Prevention: Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations in Nebraska are now giving 2026-2027 flu shots with no appointment needed, with eligibility starting at age 6 months. Community Care After Tragedy: Central Nebraska families are rallying around a teen who died after an e-bike crash, raising funds for medical and funeral costs. Heat-Related Response: At a Lincoln Cornhuskers home game, first responders treated more than 175 people for heat-related issues, urging fans to hydrate. Behavioral Health Investment: Industry leaders argue payer pressure is pushing more investment into behavioral health, with “what works” now driving deals. Happiness & Well-Being: A WalletHub ranking places Nebraska among the happiest states, tying well-being to health access, work environment, and community factors.

University Health & Enrollment: The University of Nebraska system’s fall 2026 enrollment fell 1.4% (down about 700 students) from last year, driven by drops in international and graduate students, while UNMC enrollment rose slightly. Maternal Health: A ProPublica analysis of CDC data found nearly double the ectopic pregnancy deaths in recent years, with abortion bans making diagnosis and care delays more dangerous. Public Health Preparedness: Nebraska DHHS is urging Nebraskans to stay up to date on MMR as measles outbreaks and exposures continue nearby. Local Care & Workforce: Bryan Medical Center in Crete received a $750,000 federal grant to build a rural family medicine residency program. Community Health Access: CAPWN’s WIC program earned a USDA Gold Breastfeeding Award of Excellence for strong breastfeeding support. Health & Safety at Home: Black Hills Energy shared weather-outage prep tips, emphasizing plans and supplies for households with medical needs. Mental Health & Students: UNO students are reporting stress and anxiety as the semester starts, highlighting the need for support early on. Breast Cancer Screening: The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is hosting “BARE” to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reconstruction education. Health Policy & Coverage: Nebraska families are raising alarms that the state is cutting Medicaid funds for disabled people.

Medicaid Cuts: Nebraska families say the state is stripping vital Medicaid funding from nearly 900 people with developmental disabilities, raising alarms about access to care. Domestic Violence Prevention: A Dodge County nonprofit is using newly released Nebraska data from the Domestic Abuse Death Review Team to push for more community awareness and help for survivors. Breast Cancer Screening: Omaha’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is hosting “Get BARE” (Sept. 19) to spotlight breast cancer awareness and reconstruction options. Public Health Alerts: West Nile virus has been detected in Buffalo County mosquito pools, with officials urging mosquito protection even as no human cases are confirmed locally. Water Safety: Bayard has issued a “Do Not Consume” order for its drinking water after nitrate levels exceeded health thresholds. Rural Primary Care: Bryan Medical Center received a $750,000 federal grant to plan a rural family medicine residency program in Crete. SNAP Food Rules: USDA filed an appeal after a court struck down SNAP waivers that restricted purchases like candy and soda in Nebraska and other states. Workforce & Housing: Iowa approved $39.84M in workforce housing tax credits—an affordability signal that can affect health by stabilizing families.

Heat Safety: Nebraska DHHS is urging residents to prepare for continued extreme temperatures, including a Lincoln/Lancaster County heat advisory (Sept. 8, 1–7 p.m.) and statewide reminders to hydrate, avoid leaving kids or pets in cars, and limit outdoor exertion. Rural Primary Care: Bryan Medical Center won a $750,000 federal grant to plan a rural family medicine residency program in Crete, aiming to expand access to primary care and maternal health in western Nebraska. Mental Health Workforce: The Bridges to Mental Health program is focused on helping existing providers expand skills to better diagnose and treat depression and anxiety—especially in rural areas where diagnosis rates lag behind reported poor mental health. Medical Cannabis: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld voter-approved medical cannabis initiatives, rejecting a challenge over petition signatures and keeping the measures on track for implementation. Public Safety & Health: Omaha police are investigating a Labor Day shooting at the Elks Lodge that sent a 53-year-old man to Nebraska Medicine with critical injuries. Patient Experience: A new national report ranks Vermont among top states for hospital patient experience, using CMS HCAHPS star ratings. Youth Online Safety: Nebraska is set to receive up to $201 million from a multistate settlement with Meta over Instagram and Facebook child-safety practices, with new youth-focused protections required. Cancer Support: The Gift of Hope fundraiser (Sept. 15 in North Platte) will support western Nebraska cancer patients with help for non-medical costs like gas, meals, rent and utilities.

Heat Safety: Nebraska DHHS is urging residents to prevent heat-related illness as high temperatures persist, warning about heat exhaustion and heat stroke signs like dizziness, confusion, and 103°F+ body temperature, and recommending hydration, cool indoor breaks, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. Tickborne Alerts: DHHS also reported detections of Heartland and Bourbon viruses in Nebraska tick surveillance, with no human cases yet, and reminded people to use EPA-registered repellents, wear protective clothing, and avoid tick habitat. Rural Primary Care Push: Bryan Medical Center won a $750,000 federal grant to plan a rural family medicine residency program in Crete, aiming to expand access to primary care and maternal health in underserved areas. Mental Health Training for Providers: The Bridges to Mental Health program is designed to help existing clinicians expand skills and improve care, especially in rural settings where depression and anxiety may be underdiagnosed. Medical Cannabis Upheld: The Nebraska Supreme Court upheld voter-approved medical cannabis laws, rejecting a challenge over petition signatures and keeping the initiatives on track. Patient Experience Snapshot: A new national review ranks Wisconsin highest for hospital patient experience and Florida lowest, using CMS HCAHPS star ratings.

Tickborne Alerts: Nebraska DHHS detected Heartland (HRTV) and Bourbon (BRBV) viruses in tick surveillance, with no human cases reported yet—officials urge repellents, protective clothing, and permethrin-treated gear when outdoors. Heat Safety: Omaha warned of dangerously hot Labor Day weekend conditions, highlighting heat illness signs like dizziness, clamminess, nausea, and the need to limit time outside and stay hydrated. Rural Care Funding: A Nebraska lawmaker highlighted Medicaid reimbursement boosts for rural hospitals and independent medical providers via additional federal matching funds—aimed at keeping doors open without extra state spending. Food & Public Health Tech: UNL partners with the University of Hawaiʻi on a $2M NSF project to use AI and lab methods to spot environmental threats to food production systems earlier. Nutrition Pressure for Seniors: AARP-backed reporting says many older Americans don’t have enough to eat as food costs rise, pushing some toward cheaper diets and even skipping medication. Healthcare Workforce & Access: UNK/UNK-related community counseling and behavioral health career spotlights point to growing local support options.

Heat Safety: Omaha is bracing for dangerously hot Labor Day weekend conditions, with CHI Health urging people to watch for heat illness signs like excessive sweating, clamminess, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Food Safety & Research: The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa won a $2 million NSF award (with UNL) to build AI-enabled tools that can spot environmental threats to food production systems earlier—aimed at helping prevent outbreaks such as cyclospora. Nebraska Health Infrastructure: UNMC broke ground on an Infectious Diseases Air Transport facility, expanding training and military medicine support. Public Health in Motion: Nebraska’s tick surveillance detected Heartland and Bourbon viruses, adding to the state’s growing tick-borne health watch. Rural Care Access: Bryan Medical Center received a grant to develop residency programs in rural Nebraska, targeting workforce needs outside metro areas. Safety on the Roads: Multiple weekend motorcycle crashes across the region sent riders to hospitals or resulted in deaths, including a fatal Council Bluffs collision involving a motorcycle and SUV. Community Wellness: UNK offers free counseling services for community members through a UNK program.

Food Safety Tech: A $2M NSF award will fund University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and UNL to build AI tools that flag environmental threats to food production before they trigger outbreaks, including work tied to cyclospora concerns. Public Health Alerts: Nebraska DHHS says tick surveillance detected Heartland and Bourbon viruses in the state, with no human cases reported yet, urging people to use EPA insect repellent and tick-protective clothing. Local Emergency Response: Council Bluffs police are investigating a deadly motorcycle crash; the rider was taken to UNMC and pronounced dead. Rural Health & Safety Infrastructure: Crofton Volunteer Fire & Rescue held an open house for a new rural fire hall and EMT-led response site near Lewis and Clark Lake. Community Wellness: Albert Lea’s Daisy Fest returned for a holistic, wellness-focused seventh annual event, drawing vendors from across the region. Health Care Workforce Support: UNK’s counseling practicum program is offering free, supervised mental health sessions to community members each semester.

Tickborne health alert: Nebraska DHHS says it detected Heartland (HRTV) and Bourbon (BRBV) viruses in tick surveillance, with no human cases reported yet; officials urge people in tick habitat to use EPA-registered repellents, wear long sleeves and pants, and consider permethrin-treated clothing. UNMC expansion: University of Nebraska Medical Center broke ground on an Infectious Diseases Air Transport facility, adding to its infectious disease training and military medicine advancement efforts. Rural mental health access: UNK’s program offers free counseling services to community members through supervised practicum sessions, aiming to expand local behavioral health support. Cancer care progress: FDA approval of a pancreatic cancer drug that extends patients’ lives highlights ongoing momentum in oncology treatment options. Community health & safety: A new rural Crofton fire hall opens with an open house, with the EMT-run department expanding faster emergency response near the lake area. Public health and preparedness: National Preparedness Month reminders continue as Nebraska and the region face heat and weather risks. Global health emergency: A deadly Bolivia military base explosion in Viacha killed at least 10 and injured dozens, with burn and trauma patients transferred to hospitals in La Paz.

UNMC Infectious Disease Training: University of Nebraska Medical Center broke ground on a new Infectious Diseases Air Transport training facility and launched an Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine, a $17.4M effort aimed at safer transport and care for high-consequence infections. Public Health: Nebraska reported its first West Nile death of the season in Lancaster County, as mosquito testing shows very high statewide activity and officials warn the most dangerous weeks are still ahead. Cancer Breakthroughs: A new wave of late-stage results and FDA approvals is reviving biotech optimism, including a personalized melanoma vaccine and a prostate cancer “molecular glue” pill. Child Safety Online: Scholars weigh new U.S. child online safety rules tied to Meta’s $17B settlement, with debate continuing over how much social media should be restricted for kids. Local Health & Wellness Tip: A pediatrician highlights vitamin D as a key autumn/winter nutrient for children who get less sun. Safety Watch: A deadly explosion at a Bolivian military barracks in Viacha killed at least 10 and injured dozens, with officials urging residents to stay away due to risk of another blast.

UNMC Infectious Disease Training: University of Nebraska Medical Center broke ground on a $17.4 million Infectious Diseases Air Transport training facility, expected to open in early 2028, to prepare U.S. Air Force and healthcare teams for safe transport of patients with high-consequence infections. Military Medicine Expansion: The same event launched UNMC’s Office for the Advancement of Military Medicine, underscoring Nebraska’s role in biodefense and public health readiness. West Nile Update: Nebraska reported its first West Nile death of the season in Lancaster County, with state mosquito testing showing very high activity statewide and heaviest risk in eastern and central Nebraska. Tick-Borne Alerts: DHHS detected Heartland and Bourbon viruses in tick pools in Sarpy and Richardson counties; no human cases reported, but officials urge tick-bite prevention and prompt care for symptoms. Medical Cannabis Upheld: The Nebraska Supreme Court rejected challenges to 2024 voter-approved medical marijuana petitions, keeping both initiatives valid. Rural Primary Care Boost: Bryan Medical Center received a $750,000 federal grant to develop Nebraska’s first rural family medicine residency program, targeting first students in 2029. Wound Care Education: Registration opened for the 2026 Regional West Wyo-braska Wound Care Conference in Scottsbluff on Oct. 7.

Public Health: Lancaster County reported the first West Nile virus death in Nebraska this year, with seven cases so far and very high mosquito activity statewide—health officials urge repellent use and reducing standing water. Nutrition & Research: UNL doctoral student Prabhashis Bose is studying how digestion changes food, aiming to connect nutrition labels to what the body can actually absorb. Behavioral Health Workforce: UNL honors students and UNMC partners hosted “Healing Nebraska: Talent Meets Need” to spotlight Nebraska’s behavioral health career paths and needs. Local Care Access: Outpatient Radiology Scottsbluff shared patient stories showing how faster local imaging can support cancer follow-up. Health System Leadership: Danny Van Ranken was named CEO of Kearney Regional Medical Center, with Bryan Health leadership praising his patient-safety and quality focus. Safety & Care Settings: Omaha police investigated reports of a person walking into Children’s Nebraska with a gunshot wound; injuries were not life-threatening. Community Health Support: Les Schwab’s Scottsbluff opening included a donation of tires to CAPWN to help keep patient transportation running.