AGP Executive Report

PFAS Accountability: Save Our H2O says Wisconsin’s $10M Tyco settlement doesn’t go far enough, arguing it shrinks the contamination responsibility area residents have been fighting for. Nursing & Labor: St. Mary’s Hospital nurses in Madison voted 511–63 to unionize with SEIU Wisconsin, citing unsafe conditions and pay concerns. Public Health & Safety: Wisconsin DHS warns tick activity is peaking, with nymphal deer ticks driving more Lyme risk; officials also highlight prevention and tick submission options. Food Safety: FDA recalled thousands of Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers in 21 states, including Wisconsin, over possible metal fragments. Community Health Systems: Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative named SSM Health leader DeAnn Thurmer a 2026 Rural Health Ambassador Award. Weather Disruptions: Severe storms hit southeast Wisconsin, leaving thousands without power and prompting tornado-related damage assessments. Workforce Access: UW Health recommends families schedule fall sports physicals now to avoid last-minute barriers. Health Research: UW–Madison researchers report a new approach to deep-sleep “repair” effects in awake brains, challenging assumptions about how recovery works.

Medicaid Coverage: CMS issued interim final rules for Medicaid work requirements, spelling out how Wisconsin and other states will verify work, training, volunteering, and exemptions—raising alarms that people with serious illness may lose coverage if they can’t re-prove “medical frailty” on a tight schedule. Union Push in Care: Nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison voted overwhelmingly to unionize with SEIU Wisconsin, citing staffing, retention, and workload pressures. PFAS & Drinking Water: Wisconsin DOJ reached a major settlement with Tyco Fire Products over alleged PFAS violations in the Marinette area, including a $10 million payment into the PFAS Trust Fund and continued remediation steps. Dementia Care Milestone: Agrace Dementia Village in Fitchburg marked a milestone for a $40 million, neighborhood-style dementia village designed to support up to 65 residents. Blood Supply Call: The American Red Cross urged Wisconsinites to donate blood or platelets this summer, listing multiple local drives in Wausau and Marathon County. Community Health & Access: An adaptive water ski clinic in Rome opened the sport to people with disabilities using specialized equipment, aiming to keep families active and included. Senior Care Recognition: Health Dimensions Group announced nine Wisconsin communities received AHCA/NCAL 2026 Bronze—Commitment to Quality Awards, including locations in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Kenosha, Monroe, Oconomowoc, and Wausau.

Mental Health Leadership: Milwaukee County tapped its second-in-command at Behavioral Health Services to lead the mental health and substance abuse division after a $13M deficit, signaling a push to stabilize care access. Public Health & Safety: Wisconsin health officials warned tick activity remains high statewide, and a separate report highlighted a rare Lyme-causing bacterium (Borrelia mayonii) detected in New York ticks for the first time—an alert to keep prevention top of mind. Heat Preparedness: With Wisconsin seeing more than 1,000 heat-related ER visits last summer, local doctors urged residents to cool down early, watch for heat exhaustion signs, and avoid pushing through symptoms. Care Access & Community Support: A second annual dementia conference in the Chippewa Valley drew about 100 attendees to connect patients and caregivers with resources and practical strategies. Health Systems & Recognition: Health Dimensions Group said nine Wisconsin senior living and assisted living communities earned AHCA/NCAL’s 2026 Bronze—Commitment to Quality Award. Local Wellness & Mobility: The Greater Green Bay YMCA launched a “Y on the Fly” van to bring youth and family programming into neighborhoods across Brown County.

Robust Primary Care Addiction Care: An NIH-funded project will scale a model that helps primary care clinics prescribe medication for opioid use disorder, aiming to close the gap between proven treatments and real-world prescribing. Wisconsin Health & Safety: DHS is warning tick activity is peaking statewide, with nymphal deer ticks driving risk for Lyme and other illnesses; officials urge prevention steps. Food Safety: The DNR breaks down how safe it is to eat fish from Wisconsin lakes and rivers, noting mercury and PCBs can build up in older, fattier fish. Aging Care Innovation: Dementia villages are coming to Wisconsin—Sheboygan opens first, with Fitchburg following—offering a neighborhood-style alternative to traditional memory care. Local Health Infrastructure: Sugar River EMS in rural southern Dane/northern Green Counties received a grant to buy a cardiac monitor-defibrillator and expand 911 ambulance coverage. Health Tech in the Clinic: Stoughton Health’s OrthoTeam Clinic is introducing Mako robotic-arm assisted shoulder replacement, positioning it as the first in Wisconsin. Public Health in Motion: Wisconsin heat guidance highlights when to cut back or cancel outdoor activity as humidity and heat stress rise. Community Health Access: Milwaukee’s week of Juneteenth events also spotlights health panels, youth activities, and resource fairs.

Tick Season Watch: Wisconsin DHS says young nymphal deer ticks are driving high tick activity, making bites harder to spot and raising Lyme and other risk—so daily checks and permethrin-treated gear matter. Animal Health Alert: New World screwworm has been confirmed in the U.S. again, with Wisconsin experts urging monitoring as USDA responds with quarantines and sterile fly releases. Public Health & Food Access: A new USDA SNAP rule will require small retailers to stock more varieties of staple foods, including perishable items—raising concerns for rural stores that serve as local food hubs. Health Policy & Rights: Democratic leaders marked the 60th anniversary of Griswold and urged Wisconsin to protect birth control access amid fears of federal and court rollbacks. Care Delivery Trends: Hospital–nursing home cost-cutting collaborations are growing via post-acute network models that aim to reduce readmissions by improving discharge coordination. Workforce & Community Safety: Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Sen. Kevin Cramer introduced the Volunteer First Responder Housing Act to help volunteers afford homes, especially in rural areas. Legal/Workforce: Wisconsin DOJ helped win a federal court ruling vacating an unlawful $100,000 H-1B fee policy. Local Wellness: Greater Green Bay YMCA launched “Y on the Fly,” bringing relationship-driven youth and family activities into neighborhoods.

Clinical Trial Watch: N-Zyme Biomedical launched a Phase 2 trial for a pepsin inhibitor aimed at laryngopharyngeal reflux (“silent reflux”), targeting pepsin rather than acid suppression. Men’s Health & Mental Health: Wisconsin’s second Men’s Health Summit will spotlight Black men’s mental health, with comedian George Wallace among speakers. Public Health & Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak linked to moringa leaf powder supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recalls. Reproductive Health Policy: Wisconsin Democrats and advocates marked Griswold’s 60th anniversary by calling for state birth control protections amid concerns about federal and Supreme Court shifts. Health Care Access/Legal: A Wisconsin woman alleges a former OB-GYN artificially inseminated her and nine others with his own sperm without consent, seeking civil action. Community Health: A Superior garden partnership is growing fresh produce for food shelves, with support from Essentia Health and volunteers. Injury & Safety: A home explosion in Aniwa injured three people; investigators suspect a possible gas leak. Heat Risk: Milwaukee health officials warned of a new heat wave and listed cooling sites across the county. Youth Justice: Wisconsin’s youth prison system continues transitioning from Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake toward newer facilities in Milwaukee and near Madison.

Medicaid & Access: Wisconsin DHS launched a new webpage explaining the federal Medicaid work requirement that starts in 2027, including a screening tool and reminders that missing mail could mean losing coverage. Health Policy & Rights: Wisconsin leaders marked the 61st anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut, urging action to protect contraception access as Republicans block the Right to Contraception Act from moving forward. Public Health & Safety: Ozaukee County ADRC will offer the evidence-based Stepping On falls-prevention program for adults 60+ starting July 8. Food & Pet Safety: FDA expanded a recall of GO Raw LLC freeze-dried and frozen raw pet foods linked to dangerously low thiamine levels. Health Care Workforce: Carthage College announced an MSN Nurse Educator program launching in February 2027 to address a projected Wisconsin nursing shortage. Community Health: Milwaukee’s Youth Council is accepting CDBG-funded proposals focused on youth homelessness intervention and youth suicide prevention/intervention, due June 15. Data Privacy: The FTC ordered Wisconsin-based Illuminate Education to tighten student data security and limit retention after a major breach.

Local Health Access: Wisconsin’s DHS is reminding families that asthma can flare in spring, noting 1 in 15 children have asthma and offering the Asthma-Safe Homes Program for Medicaid-eligible kids with uncontrolled asthma in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Rock counties. Public Health & Food Safety: Wood County Health Department inspection updates show mostly clean results, with at least one restaurant flagged for lacking an approved certified food manager and requiring follow-up. Immigration & Medical Care: Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, a Milwaukee-area mosque leader in ICE detention, say his Type 2 diabetes care is inadequate and he’s lost 30 pounds; a judge ordered the facility to review his medical guidance. Reproductive Health: KFF reports more than 50 Planned Parenthood clinics have closed this year, driven by funding limits affecting Title X and Medicaid networks. Policy Impact on Nutrition: A new USDA SNAP rule could force many convenience stores to stop accepting benefits unless they stock more healthy foods. Cancer Prevention: Wisconsin marks the 20th anniversary of FDA HPV vaccine approval, while vaccination completion rates for teens remain only a little above 50% in the state.

Public Health & Prevention: Wisconsin pediatricians are marking 20 years since the HPV vaccine was approved, but state data shows nearly half of teens still aren’t getting the shots—leaving preventable cancer risk on the table. Infectious Disease Watch: U.S. measles cases are on pace to top last year’s 30-year high, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people and many requiring hospitalization. Clinical Leadership: Versiti has named Jorge Di Paola, MD, as executive vice president and chief scientific officer to lead the Versiti Blood Research Institute, starting Oct. 1. Health Care Workforce & Access: Dr. Ian Martin, currently at the Medical College of Wisconsin, was selected to lead SIU Medicine as provost, dean and CEO. Injury & Safety: A Wisconsin doctor is pushing for firearm education in medical schools as a harm-reduction, population-health issue. Community Health: Milwaukee’s health department is rolling out its first 1,000 Doors Challenge for National Harm Reduction Day, highlighting local overdose resources. Research: New findings suggest sleep’s memory benefits come from specific rhythmic brain activity, not just overall brain “rest.” Environment & Wellness: Oneida County is starting weekly E. coli testing at five beaches, with clear guidance for swimmers. Governance & Quality of Life: Milwaukee’s police chief acknowledged a drop in nuisance-violation enforcement and faced questions from city leaders and residents about response times.

Medicaid Fraud Crackdown: CMS is stepping up enforcement, including withholding or deferring Medicaid payments while investigations run, as Wisconsin’s own cases show how quickly improper billing can snowball. Nursing Home Oversight: CMS ratings spotlight Kenosha’s Waters Edge Health and Rehabilitation Center, which received a 1 overall rating in Q1 2026 amid fines and penalties. Gender-Affirming Care Fight: Wisconsin’s Dane County board is urging UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin to resume gender-affirming care for transgender youth, keeping the policy pressure on. Healthy Homes Returns in Milwaukee: The ECO Healthy Homes Program is restarting to help Sherman Park residents identify environmental hazards and energy problems after a pause tied to grant cuts, with flooding and mold damage still top concerns. Arthritis Research Fundraising: Appleton’s Walk to Cure Arthritis marks 25 years, backing studies for next-generation treatments and support for kids with juvenile arthritis. Food Safety Recall: FDA placed additional JCB Flavors seasoning recalls into Class I over possible Salmonella risk tied to a milk powder supplier. Community Health & Access: Riveredge Nature Center highlights new accessibility upgrades for people with disabilities and memory loss, expanding inclusive nature programming. Local Health News: Milwaukee police report multiple shootings and a rise in critical missing person cases during summer, with mental health and seasonal factors cited.

Public Health & Safety: A person was shot and killed just steps from a Milwaukee public school Saturday, according to the medical examiner, underscoring ongoing community violence concerns. Food Access & Policy: A federal judge paused new USDA SNAP restrictions tied to unrelated ideological requirements, a move that could protect food assistance for millions in low-income households. Health Workforce Pathways: Milwaukee students are graduating with medical assistant credentials through a K-12 pathway partnership involving MedCerts, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, and Froedtert Hospital—training that can feed local clinic and hospital staffing needs. Nutrition & Summer Habits: Milwaukee experts shared quick, affordable meal ideas for families during summer break, with guidance on serving size, added sugar, sodium, and fiber. Community Health & Aging: A University of Michigan poll finds LGBTQ+ adults over 50 report higher rates of mental health strain, isolation, and lack of support compared with non-LGBTQ+ peers. Local Environment & Wellness: J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue urged people not to release carnival goldfish into Wisconsin waters, citing ecological harm and illegal status for the species. Health Care Institutions: Wisconsin nursing home ratings and other local health-care updates continued to roll in, including CMS rating changes in Kenosha County.

Nursing & long-term care: Wisconsin nursing home quality updates keep coming: Sheridan Health and Rehabilitation Center in Kenosha County held a 3-star CMS rating in Q1 2026, while another Kenosha facility, Clairidge House, landed at 2 stars. Public health & food safety: A CDC-linked salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicken flocks has spread across many states, with Wisconsin among those reporting cases—raising the stakes for safe handling at home. Access to care: Milwaukee’s City on a Hill clinic permanently closed due to funding limits, and a resource fair was held to connect displaced patients to new providers. Mental health response: Marinette County is moving forward with an ad hoc mental health and crisis intervention committee focused on pilot housing options and crisis diversion. Health policy & elections: Wisconsin governor candidates debated healthcare access and rural services, while separate reporting highlights how political control could shape election administration. Community health wins: Dane County Alzheimer’s advocates received a national award for pushing federal research priorities. Workforce & costs: Wisconsin childcare bridge payments are set to expire, and many providers expect tuition hikes and possible closures—another pressure point for families’ health and stability.

Milwaukee Health Access: City on a Hill, a long-running Milwaukee community health clinic, permanently closed for lack of funding, and a resource fair was held to reroute patients to new providers—services affected include diabetes screenings and healthy food access. Community Wellness: The Milwaukee Brewers’ “Play Ball” clinic returned for its 10th year at Baran Park, pairing Brewers alumni with local partners to offer baseball/softball skills and free equipment for kids. UW System & Costs: UW Board of Regents approved a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27 and elected Regent Kyle Weatherly as board president, a move that could shape affordability for Wisconsin students. Gender-Affirming Care Pressure: Dane County board members urged UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin to resume minor gender-affirming care, keeping the debate front and center in Wisconsin health policy. Public Health & Safety: Milwaukee police are investigating a non-fatal shooting that wounded one person near 39th and Burleigh, while separate reports highlight ongoing local health and safety concerns across the region.

Gender-Affirming Care Fight: Dane County supervisors urged UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin to resume puberty blockers and hormone therapy for transgender youth after the January pause, arguing the legal basis has shifted and that delays are causing permanent harm. PFAS Cleanup: Wisconsin announced a $10M settlement with Tyco Fire Products over PFAS contamination tied to firefighting foam, with money going into a cleanup trust and long-term clean-water obligations for Marinette-area residents. Health Access & Costs: A federal judge blocked new SNAP funding conditions sought by the Trump administration, saying the requirements could disrupt services for low-income families. Air Ambulance Consolidation: Flight for Life and ThedaStar announced a merger of their eastern Wisconsin air medical transport operations, saying it’s meant to expand care while keeping their brands. Nursing Workforce Pressure: Nurses at SSM Health St. Mary’s in Madison filed for a union election, citing staffing, security, and pay concerns. Community Health & Outdoors: Wisconsin’s Free Fun Weekend returns June 6–7 with waived state park admission, fishing licenses, and trail passes—while safety and fishing rules still apply. Kidney Donation Urgency: A Racine County family is seeking a living kidney donor for 10-year-old Theo Scott as his kidney function declines.

Health Care Access & Costs: A FOX6 investigation highlights how Wisconsin veterans are being pushed toward online-only VA reimbursement claims, raising fears that paperwork changes could widen the digital divide for those without reliable internet. Public Health & Safety: Dane County is rolling out tick-check stations at parks as tick-borne illness concerns rise, with QR-code surveys and supplies to help residents remove ticks safely. Higher Education & Health Systems: The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents elected Kyle Weatherly as president and Ashok Rai as vice president, while also approving a 2% tuition increase for 2026-27—an affordability issue that can ripple into student health and access. Environmental Health: Wisconsin announced major PFAS settlement progress tied to Tyco/Johnson Controls cleanup efforts in Marinette County, aiming to address contaminated water. Animal Welfare & Research Oversight: A separate FOX6 report alleges painful UW-Madison beagle experiments tied to Ridglan Farms, prompting renewed scrutiny of animal research practices. Community Wellness: Milwaukee’s African American Roundtable launched “Feed the Change MKE,” seeking $1 million to expand healthy food access on the city’s Northwest Side.

PFAS Accountability in Marinette: Gov. Tony Evers announced Wisconsin’s first settlement with Tyco Fire Products over alleged PFAS spills, requiring $10 million into the state PFAS trust fund and 20 years of clean drinking water for affected private wells. Local Health Policy: Dane County supervisors urged UW Health and Children’s Wisconsin to resume gender-affirming care for transgender youth after UW Health paused puberty blockers and hormones for under-18 patients, citing federal pressure and reimbursement risk. Nursing Home Oversight: CMS assigned Racine’s Lincoln Park Nursing and Rehab, LLC an overall 1-star rating in Q1 2026, citing health inspection and staffing/care concerns. Ebola Monitoring: Milwaukee Health Department is monitoring three “very low-risk” travelers after trips to areas near recent Ebola outbreaks; officials say there are no suspected cases and no public health concern. Food Safety Lawsuit: A class action claims a Kenosha County McDonald’s drive-thru soda machine was contaminated with worms and sewage, with customers reporting findings to the health department. Affordable Housing with Health Ties: La Crosse secured $2.4 million in WHEDA tax credits for two projects, including converting Lincoln Middle School into 51 affordable units and adding a 45-unit development that includes Emplify Health rehab services.