AGP Executive Report

LDH WIC Modernization: Louisiana WIC is switching to a new online benefit issuance system and starting Aug. 1, 2026, families will use a new WIC EBT card—aimed at making benefits easier to manage and allowing clinics to prescribe quarterly benefits remotely. Opioid Treatment Access: A Rutgers Health study finds long-acting injectable buprenorphine use is rising nationwide but varies sharply by state, shaped by Medicaid policy and insurance design. Cancer Care Upgrade: LCMC Health says it’s the first in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi to perform single-port robotic lung cancer surgery at East Jefferson General Hospital, with claims of less pain and faster recovery. Public Health Watch: Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis count reached 100 cases as of July 29, with 6 hospitalizations; LDH plans weekly updates. Oversight Gap in Clinics: Louisiana auditors say crisis pregnancy centers received taxpayer funds without a clear spending-tracking process and that centers offering medical services were not licensed as healthcare facilities. Workforce Pipeline: New Orleans nonprofit unCommon Construction is expanding a paid construction apprenticeship program to Baton Rouge high school students.

Behavioral Health & Recovery: Integrative Recovery Therapies in Metairie is urging Greater New Orleans residents to plan ahead for summer relapse triggers like disrupted routines, travel, and social pressure. Public Health & Food Access: Louisiana advocates warn a new federal SNAP cost-sharing rule tied to payment errors could force cuts or restrict access, arguing Louisiana needs time to modernize rather than pay immediately. Air Quality & Accountability: A new look at Louisiana’s petrochemical corridor says community air monitoring near homes and schools has gaps, leaving families with fewer ways to document what they’re breathing. Diabetes Care Governance: The fallout from the American Diabetes Association’s New Orleans meeting continues, with members calling for resignations as the group prepares a report. Local Safety & Violence: New Orleans police investigated a Seventh District homicide and also reported a separate “accidental” shooting death in New Orleans East. Community Support: Baton Rouge-area mothers are launching a support group for parents who lost children to violence, aiming to reduce isolation and help with healing. Health Policy & Housing: A due-process push is underway as states expand civil commitment for homeless people with mental illness or substance use, raising concerns about shifting away from “Housing First.” Water Costs: Two Magnolia Water customers are challenging rising water and sewer rates in Baton Rouge, citing steep bill increases.

Hospice dementia breakthrough in Louisiana: A Pennington Biomedical multi-site clinical trial found low-dose THC (with CBD) significantly reduced agitation in hospice-eligible dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, with little to no side effects, with Baton Rouge sites among the 11 locations. Food safety watch for Louisiana families: Health regulators say the U.S. food supply is safe even as outbreaks rise—cyclospora cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce and a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to recalled shell eggs (nearly 100 sickened across 17 states). Local public health + community support: DePaul Community Health Centers will open a new Central City Community Resource Center to connect patients with nonmedical supports like food, housing, transportation, and insurance enrollment. Louisiana health rankings under pressure: U.S. News again ranked Louisiana last in its Best States report, citing poverty, industrial pollution, obesity, and incarceration. Safety and health in the spotlight: Baton Rouge police say the landfill search for Ja’Derrius Minnieweather is in its third week, with hazardous conditions requiring strict safety protocols. Sports medicine note from Saints camp: Saints WR Chris Olave is expected to have no limitations after offseason blood-thinner use for a prior blood clot.

Heat & Health Access: A Monroe hospital says extreme temperatures are driving a surge in heat-related ER visits, with dehydration, heat stroke and exhaustion most common. In New Orleans, a family experiencing homelessness says heat is forcing them out of shelters all day and that their pregnant partner was hospitalized. Public Health & Food Safety: Louisiana is monitoring a growing national cyclospora outbreak; LDH reports 79 cases and notes hospitalizations. Separately, Shreveport–Bossier restaurants racked up multiple critical violations in July 13–19 inspections. Local Health Governance: New Orleans City Council is moving to increase oversight of the Sewerage & Water Board under a new state law, aiming for tighter budget and leadership control. Health Policy Politics: Sen. Bill Cassidy says he’ll support a CDC nominee after changes to the agency’s vaccines/autism webpage. Health & Justice: Louisiana’s Supreme Court overturned a death-row murder conviction after bite-mark testimony was called fraudulent. Corrections & Safety: Orleans Parish Jail temporarily relocated 52 inmates after AC repairs.

Heat Safety: New Orleans-area EMS and outdoor workers are urging residents to limit time outdoors, watch for dehydration warning signs, and call 911 if someone stops sweating or can’t stay awake as temperatures climb. Food Safety: A multi-state salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened about 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states; federal health officials say the source is eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, with Louisiana stores among the distribution points—check codes and best-by dates before eating. Public Health—Parasites: CDC reports cyclosporiasis cases are still rising nationwide, with Georgia seeing a sharp uptick as part of a broader lettuce-linked outbreak and ongoing recalls. Local Care Access: Ochsner LSU Health is hosting a free Health Fest Aug. 1 with screenings (cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, BMI), dental checks, and cancer screenings for the Shreveport-Bossier community. Medical Community Loss: Ophthalmology leader Dr. Herbert E. Kaufman has died, remembered for vision-saving innovations and major contributions at LSU Eye Center. Health & Wellness Research: A Louisiana-linked trial finds family-based behavioral childhood obesity treatment can work in primary care and produce meaningful weight loss. Community Health Tips: Baton Rouge Clinic pediatricians are sharing back-to-school guidance, including scheduling checkups and sports physicals early. Crash & Injury Update: A 74-year-old Slidell woman died after a head-on crash on Highway 434; toxicology samples were collected and the investigation continues. Violence & Safety: Police are seeking a suspect after a bus stabbing in Shreveport, where the victim is expected to recover.

Emergency Care Crisis: Mississippi ER doctor Scott Colom roundtable paints a “dumpster fire” picture—patients lining hallways, EMS stretchers, and Medicaid cuts that could leave about 500,000 people uninsured. Life-Saving Tech in Louisiana: East Baton Rouge EMS will loan automated CPR devices (LUCAS) to fire departments starting Aug. 1, aiming to start CPR sooner when trucks arrive before ambulances. Food Safety Alert: FDA is investigating a multistate Salmonella enteritidis outbreak tied to a recall of nearly 1.6 million dozen cage-free eggs from Midwest Poultry Services; Kroger and Brookshire shoppers in Louisiana are among those affected, with illnesses reported in multiple states. Heat & Health: Southeast Louisiana faces extreme heat with feels-like temps near 115—officials warn about heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and safety steps for pets too. Local Health Policy Watch: A new teen pregnancy prevention plan shifts funding toward “reproductive goals” and fertility tracking, with critics saying it moves away from contraception-focused, evidence-based prevention. Public Health Governance: Louisiana’s Bill Cassidy is again in the spotlight over CDC leadership and vaccine-autism messaging changes.

Egg Recall & Food Safety: FDA says nearly 1.6 million cartons (about 19 million eggs) from Midwest Poultry Services may be contaminated with salmonella enteritidis, with illnesses reported in 17 states including Louisiana; the recall covers Kroger and Brookshire brands sold in several southern states—check plant codes P-1950 or 0840962 and sell-by dates July 20–Aug. 17, and throw recalled eggs out or return them. Water Safety in New Orleans: Sewerage & Water Board lifted a precautionary boil-water advisory for the West Bank after bacteriological tests confirmed tap water is safe. Medicaid Access Update: A nationwide one-year ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics has expired, meaning routine services like screenings and STI testing can resume where states opt in. Public Health Politics: Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized CDC vaccine-autism messaging online, arguing it could fuel vaccine hesitancy even as he says vaccines do not cause autism. Louisiana Community Health: McKowen Baptist Church hosted a back-to-school bash with free health resources and screenings, plus haircuts and family support.

Salmonella Alert: FDA says a multistate Salmonella outbreak sickened at least 98 people in 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations, and points to recalled shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services; about 19 million eggs were pulled, so Louisiana shoppers should check cartons and avoid serving recalled products. Food Access & Health Equity: A new report finds more than 1 million children lost SNAP benefits across 19 states, and Louisiana saw nearly one in four child recipients lose coverage—raising concerns for nutrition and health during the school year. Local Health Events: Baton Rouge hosted a Family Care and Health Expo with free screenings (blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, hearing, plus HIV testing) and back-to-school resources, while another back-to-school bash offered community health help and haircuts. Youth Justice & College Readiness: Calcasieu Parish’s Multi-Agency Resource Center aims to intervene early for at-risk youth with testing and wraparound services, and New Orleans nonprofits are tackling “summer melt” that keeps accepted students from enrolling. Heat & Safety: A heat dome pushed triple-digit temperatures across much of the U.S., underscoring the need for hydration and heat-risk planning. Water System Disruption: A boil-water advisory hit New Orleans’ Algiers area after pressure dropped during maintenance, affecting businesses and a recreation splash pad.

Food Safety Alerts: The FDA says a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened at least 98 people across 17 states, including Louisiana, with 26 hospitalizations; investigators point to shell eggs produced by Midwest Poultry Services, and consumers are urged to check cartons and return or throw out recalled products. Public Health & Access: Medicaid reimbursement rules for Planned Parenthood clinics have resumed after a one-year ban expired, potentially restoring routine services like screenings and STI testing in states that opt in. Local Water Safety: New Orleans’ West Bank is under a boil-water advisory after maintenance caused unsafe drops in water pressure; residents are told to boil tap water before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or mixing baby formula. Community Health: Lafayette-area first responders were honored after saving a 70-year-old woman from cardiac arrest at Festival International de Louisiane, with she leaving the hospital three days later with no neurological deficits. Nutrition Support: A new report finds more than 1 million children nationwide lost SNAP access after tightened eligibility rules, with Louisiana seeing nearly one in four child recipients lose benefits. Heat Watch: New Orleans is facing dangerous heat with heat index values in the 100s, raising heat-stress risks as conditions linger.

Food Safety Alerts: Federal health officials say a Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, including Louisiana; investigators point to Midwest Poultry Services eggs sold at Kroger and Brookshire, with no deaths reported so far. Cyclospora Watch: CDC and FDA updates show the Cyclospora investigation tied to Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce has widened to nine states, with Louisiana reporting rising cases as officials continue to trace the source after earlier test confusion. Sickle Cell Breakthrough (Access Gap): A New Orleans man is reported as the first in Louisiana cured of sickle cell disease via gene therapy, but coverage and access remain major hurdles for other patients. Local Mental Health Response: New Orleans is expanding its Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit, reporting faster response times and fewer mental-health calls routed to police, fire, and EMS. Health Research Funding: LSU Health Shreveport researcher Nilesh Pandey received the first NIH Pathway to Independence Award for a postdoc at the institution, supporting lung-cancer–related thrombosis research. EMS Expansion: Pafford EMS is preparing to start ambulance service in Meridian under a new city partnership.

School Health & Learning: The Pugh Family Foundation is donating $3.1 million to expand Lafayette Parish School System’s Accelerated Campus Excellence (ACE) program, adding middle school coverage through the 2028-29 year at Alice Boucher Elementary and a new Paul Breaux preK-8 campus. Reproductive Health in Court: A federal judge in Virginia ruled FDA limits on mifepristone are unlawful, ordering the agency to reconsider restrictions; Louisiana is asking the FDA to reinstate older limits, and Louisiana-linked litigation is back in the Fifth Circuit. Food Safety Alert: A Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs has sickened 98 people across 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations; the FDA says Kroger and Brookshire stores in Louisiana were among retailers that received the implicated eggs. More Louisiana Food Protection: Louisiana health officials say D-SNAP disaster food benefits are available for eligible households in parts of Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne after Tropical Storm Arthur, alongside a hot-meals SNAP waiver. Mental Health Response: New Orleans is expanding its Mobile Crisis Intervention Unit, reporting faster response times and fewer mental-health calls routed to police, fire and EMS.

Food Safety Alert: FDA says Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs from Texas due to possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; the eggs were sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores in Louisiana and several other states, and no illnesses were reported as of the announcement. Public Health: Louisiana’s cyclospora situation remains active, with reports of rising cases and Lafayette leading the state; health officials continue linking outbreaks to produce and urge careful food handling. Disaster Nutrition: Louisiana approved D-SNAP for eligible households affected by Tropical Storm Arthur, with applications set to run July 27–31 and automatic supplemental SNAP benefits for current recipients in impacted areas. CDC Leadership Watch: A Senate committee delayed a vote on CDC director nominee Erica Schwartz, as lawmakers pressed for assurances on vaccines and public health trust. Health Access & Care: A Shreveport tenant says long elevator outages at a downtown apartment complex have trapped elderly and disabled residents and disrupted medical visits. Policy & Health Equity: A national analysis ranks Louisiana around the middle for per-capita health care spending, highlighting big state-to-state differences. Violence & Safety: Prosecutors filed a habitual offender bill seeking a life sentence in a New Orleans-area case involving a driver accused of killing two teenage girls while fleeing deputies.

Food Safety Alert: Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling about 1.59 million dozen eggs from Texas after potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; the eggs were sold at Kroger and Brookshire stores across Texas and several nearby states including Louisiana, with specific carton codes and sell-by dates—check your fridge and avoid eating raw or undercooked eggs. Public Health Watch: Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis situation remains active, with LDH reporting rising cases and ongoing guidance for residents on what to watch for and how to reduce risk. Maternal Care Policy: A Louisiana law change affecting hemorrhage treatment carts is slowing access to misoprostol during emergencies, raising concerns about delays when minutes matter. Local Health & Safety: Ruston’s Northern Louisiana Medical Center faces more than a dozen alleged violations after a July inspection, with potential Medicare provider action if issues aren’t corrected. Emergency Response: Louisiana State Police investigated a fatal early-morning East Baton Rouge crash on LA 30 that killed a 19-year-old; officials say impairment is unknown and toxicology samples will be tested. Community Health Services: St. Landry Parish reversed course on ending animal control after public outcry and offers of nonprofit help to reduce shelter costs.

Food Safety: The FDA says Midwest Poultry Services is recalling nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs from Texas farms after possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; products were sold at Kroger stores in Texas and Louisiana and Brookshire Grocery locations in several states, with no illnesses reported so far. Public Health Policy: The U.S. House passed the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act (H.R. 2715), which would let the FDA order destruction of refused or unsafe imported products that pose a significant public health concern—an effort Louisiana lawmakers say targets “port shopping” loopholes. Child Health & Lead: A new Louisiana law starting Aug. 1, 2026 will require daycares to complete lead risk assessments and submit results for licensing after a Fox 8 Lead Astray investigation tied a daycare to severe lead poisoning. Weather & Health: Tropical Storm Bertha is moving toward Louisiana with flooding risk; officials are urging residents to review emergency plans and prepare now. Health Access & Care: Louisiana’s St. Landry Parish suspended animal control services due to budget constraints, a reminder that local funding gaps can affect public safety and community health.

Cyclospora & lettuce recall: The FDA says a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce link in a widening cyclospora outbreak remains under investigation even after a “false positive” lab result briefly caused confusion; the recall stays in effect as cases climb nationwide, with Louisiana among the affected states. Diabetes affordability push: A Senate Health Committee advanced an insulin price cap bill at $35/month for privately insured patients, with Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy voting no while the measure gained support from other GOP members. Medicare fraud crackdown: FBI arrested Khalid Ahmed Satary, accused in a $547M Medicare genetic testing scheme tied to medically unnecessary tests, after years on the run. Reproductive health access: A temporary Medicaid ban on non-abortion services at Planned Parenthood-type clinics has expired, but states still decide whether clinics can bill Medicaid again. Hurricane readiness: Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in St. Bernard Parish with ~45 mph winds, prompting Gulf Coast emergency preparations and shelter planning. Local health policy: A Louisiana House committee advanced HB281 to allow nursing home residents to have monitoring devices installed in their rooms.

Extreme Heat & Cooling Access: Shreveport opened five cooling centers as heat index readings near 120°F, with free water and air-conditioned relief. Healthy Homes Enforcement: New Orleans reminded landlords that rental cooling must keep bedrooms at 80°F or cooler, with 3-1-1/311 inspections available. Public Health—Cyclospora: Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis outbreak remains a concern as cases rise and FDA/recall updates continue around iceberg lettuce tied to Taylor Farms. Health Care Fraud Crackdown: FBI announced the arrest of Khalid Satary, accused of a $547M Medicare fraud scheme involving unnecessary genetic testing. Prison Violence Allegation: East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says two inmates allegedly raped another inmate, causing severe injuries. Sleep & Jaw Pain: Louisiana doctors link poor sleep and TMJ/craniofacial pain, urging evaluation for breathing issues. Local Health Infrastructure: Lincoln Parish Police Jury created a hospital service district amid ongoing concerns at Northeast Louisiana Medical Center. Medicaid Behind Bars: States push to expand Medicaid in prisons, but federal changes make it harder. Safety & Injury Costs: Louisiana cruise-goers report severe rope-swing genital injuries with major medical bills, highlighting excursion risks.