AGP Executive Report

Rural Health Funding: CMS approved New Hampshire’s GO-NORTH rural health budget, a reminder of how federal dollars can expand access and workforce support in underserved areas. Public Health & Safety: Teton County is considering testing town water after CWD was found on the National Elk Refuge; officials say human risk looks low, but it’s a new concern worth watching. Community Health Access: Cheyenne-area crews used a herd of goats for the 27th annual creek cleanup, aiming to reduce erosion and flood-linked debris buildup. Healthcare Workforce & Training: A major $25M gift to UW medical education will help students pursue rural and Indigenous service through reduced debt and targeted scholarships. Opioid Treatment in Primary Care: An NIH-funded project will scale a model that supports primary care providers to prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, tracking outcomes across dozens of clinics. Local Emergency Response: A Carbon County deputy, Sgt. Zach Burns, remains in critical but improving condition after being shot in Baggs; the suspect died after a pursuit. Older Adults & Cannabis: Mountain West researchers are studying why more seniors are trying edible cannabis for pain and sleep, including safety tradeoffs like impairment and falls. Air Quality & Health: A new interactive map estimates health impacts near oil refineries, highlighting schools and hospitals that may be more vulnerable to pollution. Animal Health Threat: New World screwworm has been confirmed in the U.S., and Wyoming cattle leaders say preparedness efforts are already in place.

Opioid treatment access: An Ohio researcher’s nearly $4M NIH grant aims to expand a primary-care model that helps clinicians prescribe medications for opioid use disorder, scaling from a pilot to about 40 clinics across Ohio and West Virginia. Public health & environment: A new Mountain West “refinery risk” map estimates health impacts from oil refinery air pollution, highlighting nearby schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Food safety: The FDA updated a recall of Haagen-Dazs “mini chocolate dark chocolate ice cream bars” due to undeclared wheat, with Wyoming listed among affected states. Local health infrastructure: CMS issued further guidance on Medicare moratoria affecting new hospice and home health agency enrollment, with enforcement and state licensure activity in focus. Community health & wellness: Cheyenne is using about 600 goats to graze overgrown creek vegetation for flood control, fire mitigation, and noxious weed control. Safety in Wyoming communities: A Cheyenne woman was arrested in a 1988 homicide case involving a “Baby John Doe,” and a Carbon County sergeant remains in critical condition after a Baggs shooting. Health policy watch: Wyoming Valley West School Board approved a final budget with a 2% property tax increase, citing rising health care and special education costs.

Officer Safety & Trauma Care: A Carbon County deputy, Sgt. Zach Burns, was shot during an incident in Baggs near the Colorado-Wyoming line and airlifted to a Colorado trauma center, where he remained in critical condition two days later. Public Health Policy: CMS issued new clarification on Medicare hospice and home health agency moratoria, with guidance on how the pauses affect enrollment and enforcement—an issue that can ripple into access to care. Rural & Native Workforce: A $25 million gift to the University of Washington School of Medicine aims to grow physician supply for Native and rural communities across the WWAMI region, targeting training, support, and retention. Community Health Support: Wyoming’s Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation received a Serve Wyoming planning grant to build “Kids Cultivate,” a nutrition- and agriculture-focused program designed to educate children and train future docents. Wildlife & Safety: Experts renewed calls for federal investment in wildlife crossings to cut vehicle-animal crashes and reconnect habitat. Local Wellness & Prevention: Cheyenne brought in about 600 goats to graze overgrown creek vegetation along Crow Creek as a cost-effective approach to drainage maintenance and fire mitigation.

Rural Access Shock: Campbell County Health says it will close the Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic on July 31, and is now figuring out how to absorb primary and specialty care locally—patients may need to travel for some services. Public Health Alerts: Wyoming Department of Health warns of rising rabies and West Nile virus activity this summer, including a confirmed 2026 rabies case in a Sheridan County bat. Community Pediatric Care: The Wyoming Shrine Bowl in Casper brings players and Shriners Children’s patients together ahead of Saturday’s game, spotlighting orthopedic and other pediatric needs. Child Wellbeing Update: Wyoming ranks 12th for child wellbeing, with improvements tied to fewer teen suicides and less poverty, though thousands of kids still live in hardship. Safety & Trauma in the News: A Carbon County deputy was airlifted to St. Mary’s in Grand Junction after being shot in Baggs; multiple agencies responded as the investigation continues. Policy Watch: Nine Republican governors, including Wyoming’s, urge the NCAA to change transgender student athlete participation rules. Health Workforce Pipeline: WWAMI’s University of Washington program received a $25M endowment to expand rural and Indigenous medical scholarships across Wyoming and four other states. Local Health-Adjacent Life: The High Noon Chili Cook-Off in Jackson Hole and other community events keep rolling—good for morale, even if they’re not medical news.

Access to care: Campbell County Health says it will take over primary and specialty needs after Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic announces a July 31 closure, urging patients to transfer records as some services may move out of county. Child health: Wyoming moved up to 12th in the U.S. for child wellbeing in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count, driven by fewer teen suicides and less poverty, though thousands of kids still face poverty and housing cost burdens. Public health alerts: Wyoming Department of Health warns of rabies and West Nile virus as summer risks rise, including a first 2026 rabies case in a Sheridan County bat. Local safety and EMS strain: Multiple agencies responded to a Baggs shooting Monday; a Carbon County deputy was shot and airlifted to Colorado, while the suspect was found dead, with investigations ongoing. Mental health policy: Mental Health Colorado honored 2026 legislators for work expanding youth mental health supports, including concussion training tied to Alyssa Peterson’s story. Rural workforce pipeline: A $25M endowment for WWAMI scholarships aims to grow rural and Indigenous physician supply across Wyoming and neighboring states.

Wildfire & Reproductive Health: New research links wildfire smoke exposure to higher rates of bull sperm samples being discarded for quality, raising questions about possible human reproductive impacts—especially for people with repeated smoke exposure like wildland firefighters. Reproductive Care Access: KFF reports more than 50 Planned Parenthood clinics have closed this year as Title X and Medicaid funding restrictions tighten, threatening contraceptive and preventive services for Medicaid enrollees. SNAP Food Rules: USDA says Wyoming and other states are rolling out SNAP limits on items like soda and candy, aiming to steer benefits toward “nutritious options.” Maternal Health Recognition: Five Geisinger hospitals, including Geisinger Wyoming Valley, earned Pennsylvania Perinatal Quality Collaborative awards for improving maternal and newborn care, with a focus on equity and patient voice. Mental Health Workforce: Indiana joins the Counseling Compact, letting eligible counselors practice across state lines—potentially boosting access in areas with provider shortages. Rabies Watch (Wyoming): Health officials report rabies detection activity in Sheridan County, underscoring the need for prompt exposure response.

Public Safety & Health Access: Reports of shots fired near Baggs, Wyoming triggered a multi-agency response from Colorado and Wyoming authorities, with road closures and a medical helicopter transport mentioned by a nearby resident. Wildlife & Community Health: A young black bear was relocated after spending about an hour in Jackson’s Town Square, with Wyoming Game and Fish coordinating capture and safe removal to national forest land. Nutrition Policy: USDA-approved SNAP “real food” restrictions are expanding; Wyoming is listed among states restricting items like soda, candy, and certain prepared desserts, with rollout dates varying by state. Infectious Disease Watch: U.S. measles cases are on pace to surpass 2025’s record high, with most cases in unvaccinated people and many involving children, raising pressure on local immunization efforts. Rural Hospital Pharmacy: A $3.2 million grant launched a Civica Rural Hospital Program to help rural hospitals pool purchasing power for cheaper generics and reduce drug shortage impacts. Medicaid Coverage Rules: States are scrambling to implement Medicaid work-rule exemptions for people with serious or complex health conditions, with concerns that medically frail patients could lose coverage if documentation rules are too strict. Wyoming Health Workforce/Leadership: VGM Group named M. Kris Srinivasan as chief medical officer, focusing on clinical leadership across non-acute care settings. Local Governance & Health Care Access: Wyoming gubernatorial candidate Eric Barlow proposed regional governor’s offices to improve coordination on health care access, emergency services, and permitting. Elder Care Awareness: A national elder abuse spotlight describes severe neglect cases and the need for caregivers, families, and systems to recognize warning signs early.

Rabies alert: Wyoming health officials say rabies is back in the state, with the first confirmed 2026 case reported in Sheridan County and warnings that bats and skunks are common carriers; people should avoid wild animals and seek medical advice right away after any possible exposure for post-exposure shots. Public health staffing & spending: New Medicaid spending snapshots show rising costs in Wyoming communities, including higher “Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)” payments in Sheridan and big growth in surgery-related claims in Casper—useful for tracking where care demand is shifting. Local care access: Regional West Physicians Clinic-Oncology in western Nebraska/eastern Wyoming/Northeastern Colorado welcomed Mark Hancock, MD, expanding its multidisciplinary cancer team approach. Wildlife management: Wyoming plans to cut the wolf hunt in half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to the lowest level in two decades. Safety & trauma: A 16-year-old died after a high-speed single-car crash near Rathdrum, Idaho, hitting a traffic light pole; police say alcohol or drugs weren’t believed to be factors. Community wellness: Walking Forward cancer navigation is returning to Monument Health in South Dakota, partnering to expand screening and education for Native communities, including efforts tied to eastern Wyoming.

Elder Care & Abuse Prevention: Doctors describe a case of severe neglect and pressure injuries in an 80-year-old, underscoring the need for stronger protections and faster action when caregivers and families request higher supervision. Public Health Alert: Wyoming Department of Health warns rabies is back, with the first confirmed 2026 case in Sheridan County; officials urge people to avoid wild animals, wash bite wounds immediately, and seek medical advice about post-exposure shots. Wyoming Wildlife & Disease: Wyoming plans to cut the wolf hunt in half after a canine distemper outbreak drove wolf numbers to the lowest level in two decades. Local Health Workforce & Access: Wyoming governor candidates weigh rural healthcare needs, while separate reporting highlights rising Medicaid service payments in Casper and Sheridan, pointing to shifting local demand. Cancer Care Expansion: Walking Forward, a long-running cancer navigation program for Native communities, returns to Monument Health with plans to expand screening and education. Regional Oncology Update: Regional West Physicians Clinic-Oncology adds a board-certified medical oncologist, aiming to strengthen multidisciplinary cancer care across eastern Wyoming and nearby states. Safety & Injury Risk: A Rathdrum-area crash killed a 16-year-old after hitting a traffic light pole; alcohol or drugs were not believed to be factors.

Nursing Pay Watch: A new national pay breakdown puts Louisiana RNs’ average salary at $84,110 (below the U.S. average), with specialty pay ranging from $40,876 for CNAs up to $166,810 for nurse anesthetists—useful context for Wyoming workforce planning. Cancer Care Access: Walking Forward, a Native-focused cancer navigation program founded in 2002, is returning to Monument Health after decades serving western South Dakota communities, with plans to expand screening and education for multiple cancers. Oncology Staffing: Regional West Physicians Clinic-Oncology in western Nebraska/eastern Wyoming added board-certified medical oncologist Mark Hancock, expanding multidisciplinary cancer services under one roof. Medicaid Spending in Wyoming: Sheridan Medicaid payments for “Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)” rose to $349,975 in 2024 (up 43% from 2023), while Casper Medicaid “Surgery” claims hit $419,592 in 2024 (up 44.6%). Rural Health Education: UW School of Medicine received a $25 million gift to create a rural and Indigenous-focused medical student scholarship program across the WWAMI region, including Wyoming. Wyoming Drought Help: UW Extension launches a free three-part webinar series on managing gardens, trees, and turf during drought starting June 11. Rabies Alert: Wyoming health officials confirmed a first rabies case of the season in Sheridan County bat. Community Health Note: Wyoming governor candidates discussed rural healthcare needs and budget pressures in a Cheyenne chamber panel.

Cancer Care Access: Regional West Physicians Clinic-Oncology in western Nebraska/eastern Wyoming/Northeastern Colorado added board-certified medical oncologist Mark Hancock, expanding a multidisciplinary “under one roof” cancer team. Medicaid Spending Watch: In Casper, Medicaid providers billed $419,592 for Surgery in 2024—up 44.6% from 2023—highlighting fast-rising public health costs in the state’s biggest communities. Medicare Advantage Trend: A new report says Medicare Advantage enrollment keeps surging, with about 55% of eligible beneficiaries now enrolled, reflecting a continued shift in how seniors get coverage. Policy Pressure on Coverage: U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan says he’ll fight proposed federal Medicaid rules that advocates warn could jeopardize treatment for serious illnesses like cancer and HIV. Public Health Alert: Wyoming confirmed its first rabies case of 2026 in Sheridan County after a rabid bat was found in a downtown backyard; health officials urge prompt medical advice after any bat contact. Community Health & Wellness: UW Extension is launching a free three-part drought landscaping webinar series (June 11, 18, 25) focused on keeping gardens, trees and turf healthier with limited water. Long-Term Care Quality: CMS reporting shows a Pennsylvania for-profit nursing home (Embassy of East Mountain) received a 1-star overall rating for Q1 2026, with staffing and care quality flagged as concerns.

Rural Health Funding: The University of Wyoming School of Medicine received a $25 million gift to launch a rural and Indigenous medical student scholarship program for the WWAMI region, aiming to boost access to care where it’s hardest to find. Public Health Alert: Wyoming confirmed its first rabies case of the year in Sheridan County after a rabid bat was found in a downtown backyard; health officials urge people to stay alert outdoors and seek care after any bat contact. Care Access & Policy: U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan says he will fight proposed federal Medicaid rules that advocates warn could disrupt coverage for people with serious illnesses, as new work and re-application requirements loom. Long-Term Care Quality: Memorial Hospital of Carbon County reported perfect patient-satisfaction scores in an April HCAHPS survey, highlighting strong staff responsiveness and discharge communication. Prevention & Wellness: Wyoming health officials are urging tick-bite precautions during a tick spike, reminding residents to prevent exposure and seek guidance if bitten. Community Health & Education: UW Extension announced a free three-part drought webinar series (June 11, 18, 25) on caring for gardens, trees, and turf with limited water. Health & Safety in Schools: A Cheyenne-area report on PE shows Wyoming elementary students may get far less physical education than national guidelines recommend, raising concerns for student activity levels. Energy, Health, and Environment: A Cheyenne rally dubbed the “Wyoming Wind Wall” raised health-adjacent concerns about wildlife impacts and stress on ranching and tourism as more turbines come online.

Medicaid Coverage Fight: U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan says he’ll push back on proposed federal Medicaid rules that could force people with serious illnesses to lose coverage, arguing the changes are “shortsighted.” Public Health Quick Hit: Wyoming Department of Health confirmed the first rabies case of 2026 in Sheridan County after a rabid bat was found in a downtown home backyard; officials urge anyone with direct bat contact—or a bat in their room—to seek medical guidance about post-exposure shots. Sex Health Access: Teton County Health Department will host low- to no-cost STI testing June 6 (walk-ins welcome) for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C. School Wellness: A UW physical education researcher told lawmakers Wyoming elementary students get about 73 minutes of PE per week—below national guidance—sparking calls for change. Drought + Food/Wellness: UW Extension launches a free three-part webinar series June 11, 18, and 25 on caring for gardens, trees, and turf during drought. Healthcare Tech Leadership: Banner Health named Dr. John Rares Almasan as senior VP and chief AI, data and infrastructure officer to expand AI use in care and operations. Community Health Legacy: Wyoming after-school and voting-rights advocate Linda Barton, 76, died May 27 after a car accident near Lander.

Public Health Alert: Wyoming reported its first confirmed rabies case of 2026 in a Sheridan County bat found in a downtown backyard, with health officials urging anyone with possible exposure to seek medical care right away. Community Science: Volunteers are being recruited for a bird banding study at Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park (June 16, 23, 30; July 14, 28; Aug. 5) to help track local bird populations through ethical capture-and-release. Wildlife & Policy: A Cheyenne Capitol rally pushed for deeper review of southeast Wyoming industrial wind projects, warning about impacts to golden eagles and rural landscapes. Healthcare Access Funding: A $25 million gift will expand rural and Indigenous medical training in the WWAMI region, aiming to increase primary-care physicians for underserved communities. Environmental Health Research: New findings link wildfire smoke exposure to higher rates of bull sperm sample rejection, raising concerns about reproductive impacts that may also affect people. Energy & Health Context: Trump announced nearly $700M for coal-fired power support using Cold War-era emergency authority, drawing renewed health and pollution concerns.

Wildfire & Reproductive Health: New research links wildfire smoke exposure to higher rates of bull sperm samples being discarded for quality, raising concerns for reproductive impacts in humans and for wildland firefighters as smoke becomes an all-year hazard. Public Health Alert: Wyoming confirmed its first rabies case of 2026 in Sheridan County; WDH urges residents to watch for bites from bats and skunks and to seek post-exposure care since rabies is fatal but preventable. Emergency Preparedness: Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County hosted a two-day emergency simulation with a life-like manikin, training more than 50 EMS and critical access hospital staff to improve teamwork and readiness for trauma scenarios. Home-Based Care Expansion: The Pennant Group and Hartford HealthCare announced a strengthened collaboration to grow home-based care services in Connecticut, moving toward a unified operating entity. Wyoming Politics & Health Access: Five Republicans and two Democrats filed for Wyoming’s junior U.S. Senate nomination in August primaries, with one candidate explicitly citing a mission to protect mental health care and rural communities.

Medicaid & Access: Louisiana’s new law targeting noncitizen Medicaid enrollees is chilling renewals and raising fears that U.S.-born kids in mixed-status families will lose routine care and vaccines. Nursing Workforce: A WalletHub study ranks Louisiana among the worst states for nurses, citing a projected 6,000 RN shortage by 2030—an issue that can mean heavier workloads and burnout. Public Health Alerts: Wyoming reported its first rabies case of the season in Sheridan County after a rabid bat was found; officials urge immediate medical contact after any bat exposure. Long-Term Care Watch: CMS data highlights nursing home capacity and quality issues across counties, including Wyoming County’s East Side Nursing Home (3/5 rating, fines/penalties) and other facilities with lower CMS scores. Community Health & Safety: Cheyenne police are evaluating whether charges are appropriate after a man threw a burning book into the Laramie County Library and was sent for a mental health evaluation; separate reports also describe emergency responses to medical and rescue incidents. Local Health Leadership: Katrina Clauson filed to run for Teton County coroner, emphasizing suicide/substance-abuse prevention, support for deputy coroners, and public health education. Wellness in the Wild: Wyoming Game and Fish says a Powell couple’s 73-moose sighting reflects a healthy Bighorn herd, with moose gathering for spring green-up.