AGP Executive Report

WIC Funding Lapse: A Louisiana audit finds the state left about $111 million in federal WIC money unused from 2021–2024, pointing to low participation and missed access for pregnant women and young children. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded recalls for Zapp’s and Dirty potato chips to the highest risk level over possible Salmonella contamination, including several Louisiana-branded varieties. Public Health Alert: A parasite causing “explosive” diarrhea (Cyclospora) has spread to 17 states, with Louisiana included among the affected areas as CDC and FDA investigations continue. Mosquito-Borne Illness: A young woman in the Rio Grande Valley is hospitalized with severe West Nile virus, underscoring the need for mosquito bite prevention. Care & Community: North Oaks Health in Hammond became Louisiana’s first Purple Heart Hospital, expanding veteran-focused recognition and support. Local Health Story: A Baton Rouge restaurant owner says fresh, homemade food helped her recover after Stage 3 lung cancer.

Food Safety Alert: CDC is tracking a rise in cyclosporiasis, a parasite that can cause “explosive” diarrhea, with 145 reported cases and 20 hospitalizations since May 1 across 17 states, including Louisiana; officials say there’s no single confirmed outbreak source yet, so families should be extra careful with produce and food handling this holiday weekend. Public Health & Wellness: A Metairie man has become the first person in Louisiana to be functionally cured of sickle cell disease through gene therapy at Manning Family Children’s Hospital, marking a major milestone after two years of treatment. Local Health System Oversight: A Louisiana Legislative Auditor report says the state’s sexual assault response system is fragmented, with inconsistent oversight and uneven access to trained nurses, despite years of legislative changes. Health Care Accountability: Louisiana AG Liz Murrill announced 21 arrests tied to a statewide Medicaid fraud operation involving false billing and abuse of vulnerable people in health care facilities. Community Health Access: The New Orleans RTA is asking riders for input on bus service improvements in New Orleans East, aiming to address reliability, safety, and accessibility by fall 2027. Disaster Relief Protections: Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple suspended certain insurance cancellation and deadline rules for residents in seven parishes affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, giving more time to pay premiums and file claims.

Foodborne Outbreak: The CDC says Cyclospora has sickened at least 145 people across 17 states, with 20 hospitalizations and Louisiana among the affected states; officials note many patients report getting sick after eating U.S. food with no recent travel, and the source is still under investigation. Public Health Warning: Louisiana health officials also reiterated raw milk risks after 11 illnesses and two hospitalizations tied to three milking operations, highlighting that pasteurization is the key safety step. Healthcare Accountability: A lawsuit alleges St. Bernard Parish Hospital took more than a month to notify a patient after alleged sexual battery by a doctor, raising concerns about how victims are informed and supported. State Health Enforcement: Louisiana’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit—now a standalone DOJ unit—announced 21 arrests statewide, including cases tied to Caddo Parish, as the state pursues restitution. Blood Supply: LifeShare says Shreveport-Bossier hospitals are operating at about 50% of blood needs and is urging donations through a July 1–3 campaign. Local Health Workforce: LSU Health Shreveport welcomed 180 new residents and fellows, expanding graduate medical training across the region. Community Health & Wellness: AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana partnered with Louisiana Medicaid to help Lafayette shoppers buy fresh food with $25 produce gift cards. Prevention in Heat: Baton Rouge General doctors warn that SSRIs can increase sweating in extreme temperatures, so hydration matters—without stopping meds without medical advice.

Medicaid crackdown: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the arrest of 21 people tied to Medicaid fraud or abuse/neglect, and elevated the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to a standalone DOJ division—aimed at stronger investigations and recovery of taxpayer dollars. Restitution update: The state has secured more than $73 million in ordered restitution from Medicaid fraud cases, but only about $14.5 million has been collected so far. Public health watch: CDC reports a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak—145 illnesses across 17 states, including Louisiana—linked to contaminated food or water; officials say the real number of cases may be higher. Nutrition access: A Louisiana audit found barriers that hinder WIC enrollment, with clinics falling short on outreach and Louisiana ranking last nationally for participation. Workforce pipeline: LSUA broke ground on a new $43M Health Education Campus in Alexandria to expand nursing and allied health training. Community health & safety: A toddler died after falling into a pond near an apartment complex in East Baton Rouge. Healthcare innovation: Ochsner launched “Decoded,” a podcast/video series pairing physicians with a musician host to explain emerging treatments and women’s health topics. Local environment: Environmental groups criticized Louisiana’s approval of a coastal pipeline permit tied to offshore oil plans, citing spill and wildlife risks.

Hospital Readiness for Holiday Injuries: Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport says the Fourth of July usually means more ER visits for fireworks, traffic crashes, boating accidents, ATV wrecks, heat illness and alcohol-related injuries, and is ramping up staffing and supplies. Blood Supply Push: LifeShare’s “United We Give” runs July 1–3, aiming to offset summer donation drops; donors get a limited-edition t-shirt and $25 gift card (with Baton Rouge excluded). Community Health Support: Acadiana Cane Cutters’ July 9 fundraiser with Ronald McDonald House Charities will help families of critically ill children in Acadiana. Mental Health in Focus: Louisiana’s adult depression trends are improving faster than the national average, though overdoses and suicides remain a concern. Public Safety & Access: ER doctors urge heat-and-holiday safety; and Louisiana lawmakers’ handicap parking rules are getting renewed attention after a local complaint about placard misuse. Local Health System Milestone: Ochsner LSU Health marks 150 years of service in the ArkLaTex, tracing roots to Shreveport Charity Hospital. Foodborne Outbreak Watch: Health officials are investigating a cyclospora outbreak tied to explosive diarrhea cases across multiple states, including Louisiana. Healthcare Costs Pressure: A WalletHub study finds child care can consume a major share of income—up to 59% for single parents.

Crash & charges: Former LSU football player Richard Murphy was booked in East Baton Rouge Parish on vehicular homicide and DUI-related counts after a June 14 downtown crash killed two people; police say video showed him running red lights and blood alcohol was 0.13%. Patient safety: A Metairie gastroenterologist, David Beary, was arrested and accused of sexually abusing patients at St. Bernard Parish Hospital; he had medical privileges there, and the hospital says he hasn’t treated patients since May 1. Diabetes care win: Ochsner LSU Health Monroe earned an American Heart Association stroke quality award, while St. Tammany Health System was named a national diabetes care “Recognized Leader.” Public health access: A state audit found Louisiana WIC benefits went largely unredeemed, with barriers tied to qualifying and in-person clinic steps. Water safety: A boil advisory for part of Halls Trail in Shreveport was lifted after repairs and safe water samples. Health workforce: ULM named Ashanti Jones director of its Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Community health needs: Build EBR unveiled north Baton Rouge redevelopment plans, with residents asking for more grocery, health services, and youth programs. Food & health alerts: FDA recalled Oribae shampoo for microbial contamination; USPS announced a “Know the Facts About Fentanyl” stamp supporting NIDA research. Climate & health link: Louisiana groups sued over a Cameron Parish coastal gas pipeline permit, arguing regulators missed cumulative climate and erosion impacts.

Abortion Safety & Access: A new federal review of mifepristone safety is being discussed, but critics say past mail-order safeguards were weakened—leaving room for coercion and abuse, including a Louisiana case where a teen received the drug without consent. Food & Health Coverage Cuts: Millions are facing loss of SNAP and health insurance as state and federal changes take effect, raising the risk of missed meals and delayed care. Drug Pricing & Oversight: States are moving to rein in pharmacy benefit managers to lower prescription costs, with Tennessee’s ivermectin “no doctor visit” model also drawing scrutiny. Hospital Accountability: Northern Louisiana Medical Center faces potential Medicare provider termination after LDH and federal surveys cited serious deficiencies. Workplace Health & Safety: Louisiana laws set to take effect in August target workplace violence and update workers’ comp medical fee rules. Public Health in Extreme Heat: Heat dome conditions and high humidity are driving heat-risk warnings across much of the South and Midwest, with guidance focused on safer travel and outdoor limits. Local Care Expansion: North Oaks Health is adding two neurosurgeons to expand brain and spine tumor and emergency neurosurgery services. Justice & Health: Louisiana Supreme Court freed a death row inmate after ruling key forensic practices were “scientifically indefensible.”

Water & Public Health Infrastructure: Opelousas is getting $17M to upgrade water mains, wells, and storage tanks for about 6,500 customers, aiming to cut leaks and improve pressure. Sickle Cell Breakthrough: Louisiana’s first gene-therapy “functional cure” for sickle cell was achieved by Daniel Cressy, offering major hope for patients who face repeated hospitalizations and pain. Maternal & Child Nutrition Access: A state audit says nearly half of WIC benefits for low-income mothers and babies went unredeemed, urging Louisiana to reduce barriers and boost participation. Sexual Assault Response Gaps: A legislative auditor report finds Louisiana’s sexual assault response is fragmented, with coordination and specialized forensic nurse access falling short in parts of the state. Reproductive Health Access: Planned Parenthood plans to restart Louisiana services with telehealth later this summer and an in-person New Orleans clinic reopening this fall. Community Water Safety: Lake Charles is offering $1 adult swim lessons to help address Louisiana’s high child drowning rate and improve water safety skills. Health Care Accountability: A St. Bernard Parish gastroenterologist accused of sexually touching patients has a $20,000 bond after being charged with sexual battery counts. Drug Pricing Policy: A new look at PBM reforms highlights ongoing pressure to curb spread pricing and improve transparency, with changes not fully taking effect until 2028–29.

Weight-loss drug research: LSU Pennington Biomedical researchers are studying how GLP-1 meds (like Ozempic/Wegovy) affect muscle loss and “metabolic adaptation,” aiming to protect resting calorie burn as Louisiana’s obesity rate sits around 40%. Roads & health-adjacent safety: East Baton Rouge’s Sales Tax Street and Road Rehabilitation Program is selecting neighborhood streets for repaving based on road condition scores, with Brentwood Place among the areas slated for work. Food safety: A recent inspection roundup flagged serious issues at Rogers-area eateries, including uncovered food in coolers, expired certified food manager paperwork, and suspected rodent droppings. Community health & wellness: Warrick Dunn’s charity hosted a free wellness event in Tallahassee with screenings and fitness demos. Public safety incidents: Baton Rouge saw multiple shootings and crashes this weekend, including a fatal shooting on Osceola Street and a multi-vehicle crash on Greenwell Springs Road. Health policy & trust: Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine-related public health claims, saying he’s lost trust.

Education & Workforce: Southeastern Louisiana University added two new academic concentrations—applied artificial intelligence and cybersecurity—aimed at preparing students for AI and tech careers that touch areas like healthcare and defense. Public Health Policy: Sen. Bill Cassidy renewed his criticism of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying Kennedy’s public health approach is built on “a foundation of lies,” while Cassidy also warned Social Security is moving toward insolvency and could mean benefit cuts. Housing: A major bipartisan housing bill’s path to law is still uncertain after President Trump declined to sign it, tying approval to a separate voting access measure. Community Safety: New Orleans police are investigating a Central City shooting outside an Airbnb that left one man injured; in Baton Rouge, a teen fight escalated to gunfire, killing one and injuring four. Health & Wellness in Louisiana: Ochsner experts highlighted sun protection and water safety tips as summer risks rise, including drowning prevention. Local Life & Culture: Essence Festival of Culture returns with expanded daytime programming at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, including wellness-focused sessions. Health Equity & Human Services: A Louisiana anti-trafficking group shared how outreach and rapid coordination helped rescue a teen victim, citing a sharp rise in confirmed or suspected trafficking cases served in 2024.

Public Health & Safety: Ochsner Health is urging south Louisiana families to plan for summer risks, highlighting preventable injuries from boating, water sports, slips, dehydration, and heat-related problems—and when to seek urgent care. Medical Milestone: A Louisiana man, Daniel Cressy, is reported as the first in the state functionally cured of sickle cell disease after Casgevy gene therapy, with his recovery story tied to years of frequent hospitalizations. Health Care Infrastructure: Tulane is moving ahead with a major $500M redevelopment of the long-abandoned Charity Hospital site in New Orleans, aiming to expand public health training and research space. Community Health & Access: Planned Parenthood is set to reopen in Louisiana with in-person services and telehealth, as reproductive health access continues to shift statewide. Local Health Disruption: A shooting near the Crescent City Connection bridge injured a woman and triggered major traffic closures before lanes reopened. Policy & Nutrition: Arkansas is set to restrict SNAP purchases for soda and certain other items starting July 1, and Louisiana is listed among states with similar bans. Health-Related Politics: Louisiana’s GOP Senate runoff is set after Julia Letlow’s win, with implications for national health policy direction.

Gene Therapy Milestone (Louisiana): Metairie’s Daniel Cressy became the Gulf Coast’s first “functionally cured” sickle cell patient after receiving Casgevy, a CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing treatment, and now hopes to pursue a long-held dream of flying commercial planes. Public Health & Safety (New Orleans East): A New Orleans East water main break left about 60 homes without water and triggered a boil water advisory affecting roughly 26,000 residents, with crews working to restore pressure. Trauma-Informed Addiction Care (NOLA): NOLA Detox and Recovery Center is spotlighting integrated, trauma-informed treatment for PTSD Awareness Day, emphasizing care for co-occurring substance use. Disaster Recovery Support (Avoyelles Parish): The CORE Center opened June 29 at the LSU AgCenter in Mansura as a one-stop hub for flood victims, connecting residents to SNAP/Medicaid, insurance, DCFS, and recovery organizations. Health Policy (Drug Costs): States are moving to lower prescription prices by targeting pharmacy benefit managers that manage coverage for health plans. Community Health (AED Saves Life): A Baton Rouge woman credits her pilates instructor for using an AED after she went into cardiac arrest during a workout.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: Louisiana Attorney General Tim Griffin announced five Medicaid fraud arrests tied to a national health care fraud takedown, including a personal care aide accused of submitting claims for services not provided. Women’s Health Update: Ascension Center for Women’s Health in Gonzales now offers Emsella, a non-invasive, chair-based pelvic floor wellness option for eligible patients. Hospital Oversight: Two dozen violations were found at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, raising fresh questions about compliance and patient safety. Public Health & Housing: Lafayette’s new camping ban takes effect Jan. 1, with officials and homeless service providers still pressing for clarity on where people will go and how “homelessness court” will work. Coastal Resilience Watch: Cameron Parish’s disappearing marsh is spotlighted as a key hurricane-season risk, with experts pointing to how the Calcasieu Ship Channel funnels saltwater and erodes protection. Health Policy & Access: Planned Parenthood is preparing to return to Louisiana, including resuming telehealth. Community Health Tech: Louisiana joins a broader push to lower drug prices by targeting pharmacy benefit managers that manage prescription coverage for health plans.

Heat & health risk: A new Climate Central analysis says “dangerous humid heat” days across the Gulf South—including Louisiana—have more than doubled since the 1970s, raising the odds of heat illness and ER visits. Workforce pipeline: Southern University’s Construction Management program is launching a Building Futures Summer Camp for middle schoolers (July 13–17) with hands-on construction training and mentorship. Mental health & care access: Planned Parenthood is set to reopen health centers and resume telehealth in Louisiana. Policy & treatment research: Louisiana’s psychedelic-assisted therapy pilot program is set to take effect without Gov. Landry’s signature, funded by opioid settlement dollars for clinical trials. Medical cannabis expansion: Green Leaf Dispensary will break ground on a new medical marijuana location in Laplace to expand access in the River Parishes. Public health basics: A Louisiana-focused explainer covers when hip pain may signal it’s time to consider hip replacement and what to ask at appointments. Safety & prevention: Louisiana’s new Safe Haven sign requirement for school bathrooms is part of the state’s August 1 law changes.

Heat & pet safety: Shreveport-area vets say snake bites in pets spike in warm months, with copperheads and water moccasins most common; venomous bites often need antivenom fast and can mean overnight hospitalization. Animal travel & disease risk: A screwworm outbreak has triggered new animal-movement rules from infested zones, raising the stakes for pet owners planning trips. Local health workforce: North Oaks Health System in Hammond graduated its first Transitional Year Residency class, expanding training to strengthen the Northshore physician pipeline; Lakeview Hospital in Covington named a new chief medical officer. Food safety checks: Lafayette-area restaurants received critical LDH violations for issues like temperature control and cross-contamination. Public health & wellness: Baton Rouge yoga demand keeps growing, with a new studio planned offering infrared hot yoga and red-light therapy. Water emergencies: A DeSoto Parish water plant chemical explosion injured four people, and Abita Springs declared a water well emergency after damage to its main source. Health policy/legal: Federal court action could affect Louisiana’s SNAP restrictions, and a Supreme Court fight continues over abortion drug access and safety safeguards.

Health Fraud & Cybersecurity: DOJ charged a New Orleans doctor and a Shreveport lab sales rep in separate schemes tied to millions in alleged Medicare fraud, including unneeded tests and fake visits. Medicaid/Insurance Fraud: A federal fraud takedown also highlighted major billing fraud and kickbacks tied to behavioral health claims totaling $208M. Data Breach Settlement: MCNA Dental agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement over a 2023 LockBit ransomware attack that exposed nearly 9 million people, with monitoring and potential payments for class members. Reproductive Health Access: Planned Parenthood announced it will return to Louisiana with a New Orleans clinic and telehealth services (contraception, STI care, screenings, menopause care), while Louisiana officials criticized the move. Child Safety & Violence: Baton Rouge police arrested a man on murder charges after a 5-year-old died from abuse injuries from 2022; NOPD is investigating a Gentilly-area shooting that left three wounded. Elder Care Abuse: A Port Barre nurse practitioner was arrested on cruelty-to-elderly charges after an investigation at a senior care center. Public Health Policy: CDC warns COVID-19 could rise again in the South and West this summer, especially with a more immune-evasive variant. Workforce & EMS: National EMS Academy Lake Charles celebrated 20 new EMTs earning certifications to serve Southwest Louisiana. Local Governance & Health Infrastructure: Gov. Landry vetoed more than $12M in state construction funding for New Orleans projects, including an “Integrated Healthcare Hub.” Social Media Safety: Attorney General Tim Griffin sued Snap over alleged deceptive practices harming minors, citing risks like grooming and sextortion.