AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care Expansion (East Texas): Christus Health opened a new roughly $40M cancer care center in Longview, bringing medical and radiation oncology, infusion, imaging, labs, pharmacy support and clinical research under one roof for patients starting Oct. 5. UTI Research (Texas A&M): Texas A&M researchers are studying how the body uses copper as an immune weapon against antibiotic-resistant UTIs, supported by a $1.48M NIH grant. Pharmacy Access (Longview): A Longview independent pharmacist is urging Texas lawmakers to rein in pharmacy benefit managers, saying “middlemen” squeeze independent pharmacies and patients. Maternal & Mental Health Support (Longview): A new bereaved parents support group, H3 Hope, Help and Healing, launches in Longview to help families after child loss. Public Health & Food Assistance (Texas): SNAP changes begin Oct. 1, with modest payment increases for many Texans but tighter eligibility and higher state cost-sharing. Healthcare Costs Politics (ACA): The Trump administration begins sending $500 ACA refund checks to nearly 1M Americans in 30 states, tied to claims of Biden-era HealthCare.gov overcharges. Disaster & Smoke Risk (Henderson County): Henderson County declared disaster amid drought and wildfire danger, adding fire restrictions and emphasizing health and human safety. Cybersecurity (Texas-linked business): Calian completed the sale of its U.S. commercial IT business in Houston to Trace3. Clinical Trial (Austin): Shattuck Labs plans a Phase 2 trial of SL-325 for hidradenitis suppurativa and named a new senior clinical development leader.

MLK Wellness Center Opens in South Dallas: Kingdom Legacy’s MLK Wellness Center is finally up and running, bringing healthy food, fitness, mental health services, and community resources to South Dallas after nearly five years of permitting delays, infrastructure problems, rising costs, and setbacks like copper theft and vandalism. Local Health Access & Cancer Care: Baylor Scott & White broke ground on Temple hospital expansion, adding new patient care floors with universal spaces, ICU-level capability, helipads, and upgrades; Texas Oncology also opened its McAllen West clinic to expand cancer treatment, diagnostics, and research in the Rio Grande Valley. Veterans Lung Cancer Testing Partnership: bioAffinity Technologies is expanding access to its noninvasive CyPath Lung test through a distribution deal with AvMEDICAL, debuting the effort to VA leaders and physicians at NAVREF. Public Health & Safety: DSHS is offering free flu shots for eligible Texans; Fredericksburg PD and DEA will host National Drug Take Back Day for anonymous disposal of unused meds. Disaster & Community Response: FEMA announced $141.6M in post-disaster funding that includes Texas; Waco fire crews added staffing and equipment ahead of possible flooding. Health Tech Spotlight: Texas A&M’s “digital human” won a Fast Company Innovation by Design award for early dementia screening using speech, facial expressions, and biometric signals.

Prison Heat Rule: A federal judge ordered Texas to install air conditioning in all prisons by Dec. 31, 2029, citing Eighth Amendment violations and “deliberate indifference” to extreme heat—an expensive, systemwide retrofit challenge for TDCJ. Rural Health Access: Texas is pushing major rural healthcare funding, including a $51 million effort aimed at transforming rural facilities and specialty care gaps. Medicare Diagnostics Growth: Houston-based Cerenome says its CNSide Tumor Cell Enumeration Test is expanding to 158 million covered lives and is on track for broader Medicare coverage, with a January 1, 2027 target for pricing. Caregiving at the Ballot Box: An AARP survey finds unpaid family caregivers are a key issue for older voters in battleground states, including Texas, with many saying candidates should do more. Community Health Support: FOX 26 viewers helped deliver a specialized van for a Montgomery County man battling ALS, turning donations into real mobility support. Gender Care Policy Shift: UPMC will end pediatric gender-affirming care after a DOJ agreement, raising concerns for LGBTQ youth. Flu Shot Push: Pop-up flu clinics are increasing access on campuses across Texas.

Maternal & Public Health Funding: Tiny Health, an Austin microbiome testing company, secured $33M to expand gut and vaginal microbiome testing, including studies aimed at reducing infant eczema risk. Health Tech in Texas: Las Colinas-based eIVF launched eVA, an AI tool that transcribes fertility visits and auto-generates clinical notes inside providers’ EMRs. Workforce & Access: Northeast Texas Community College received a $1.354M Moody Foundation grant to expand its Work4College program, boosting employer-linked pathways for students. Heat & Safety: Texas A&M senior Austin Stallman died after heatstroke during SEAL prep training, highlighting the medical risks of extreme heat. Community Health & Prevention: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension added new county agents and program specialists statewide to deliver hands-on health and science-based education. Health Care in the Courts: A Venezuelan man shot by an ICE officer in Austin faces federal assault charges after prosecutors allege he struck the officer with his car mirror. Emergency Preparedness: AgriLife Extension shared flood recovery guidance for ranchers, including protecting livestock, checking for illness after waters recede, and documenting losses.

Healthcare Leadership: Norton Rose Fulbright tapped Dallas partner Denise Webb Glass as U.S. co-head of healthcare, aiming to keep continuity with Houston co-head Susan Feigin Harris. Clinical Research & Access: Aclarion added NYU Langone Health as a new site in its CLARITY trial for chronic low back pain, now enrolling at eleven locations. Public Health & Safety: Tyler police and Texas Rangers are investigating a deadly high-speed crash after a pursuit that killed three teens and left one teen hospitalized. Jail Health Oversight: The Texas Rangers are investigating the death of Sherena Shuntee Tennison, 39, who became unresponsive during a jail breathing treatment and later died after life support was ended. Community Health Support: Corpus Christi will run a Minor Home Repair Program lottery from Oct. 13–27, offering up to $24,999 for health, safety, and habitability repairs for eligible seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Texas Health Policy Watch: Texas AG Paxton launched an investigation into Blue Cross Blue Shield over alleged delays and denials of urgent and medically necessary care.

Texas Veterans Commission: The state launched Texas Veterans Access, a streamlined online portal that lets veterans and military families create a reusable profile, submit requests, and track progress across TVC services without repeating paperwork. Healthcare Fraud: A Texas clinic owner, Kevin Curry, was found guilty in a $26 million TRICARE fraud scheme tied to fake or unnecessary mental health treatment, kickbacks, and luxury spending including a gold-plated Cybertruck. Maternal & Child Health Policy: Advocates warned Texas families about a new “public charge” rule that could deter immigrants from using health and social services, raising concerns for U.S.-citizen children’s access to nutrition and care. Rural Health Funding: Texas secured $51 million to transform rural healthcare facilities, aiming to expand capacity and services. Public Health Watch: USDA recalled 4,596 pounds of chicken stew products distributed in eight states after concerns about lack of inspection; no illnesses reported. Medical Research (Texas-linked): Houston Methodist reported a ctDNA test with high specificity for detecting liver cancer recurrence after transplant, supporting more personalized follow-up care.

Cancer Care & Coverage: California enacted a law requiring insurance coverage for FDA-cleared scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, joining a growing list of states pushing clearer access to supportive cancer treatments. Drug Safety & Research: Houston-based Moleculin published a peer-reviewed pooled cardiac safety analysis of Annamycin, reporting no clinical or subclinical cardiotoxicity signals at cumulative doses above traditional anthracycline limits. Mental Health & Access: Psyence BioMed says its Texas subsidiary secured an exclusive U.S. ibogaine license and distribution pathway, aiming to support development of ibogaine drug candidates. Maternal Health: Texas lawmakers are again criticizing delays tied to the state’s maternal health reporting, warning the lag could leave pregnant people without timely guidance. Healthcare Fraud: A North Texas clinic owner was convicted in a $26M TRICARE fraud scheme involving fake treatments and luxury purchases. Public Health in Prisons: New York reported a sharp rise in Narcan use after restricting physical mail in prisons, as overdose deaths remain elevated. Community Health Infrastructure: Texas Health Behavioral Health Center Denton is set to open in October, expanding local behavioral health capacity.

TRICARE Fraud Conviction (Texas): A federal jury convicted Frisco clinic owner Kevin Curry of a $26M scheme billing TRICARE for medically unnecessary or unprovided mental health therapy, then using proceeds for luxury items including a gold-plated Cybertruck. Public Health & Safety (Food): FDA-linked recall: nearly 1.7 million pounds of brown and powdered sugar distributed in Texas and other states may contain undeclared wheat kernels—people with wheat allergies should not eat it. Cancer Care (Texas-linked research): UT MD Anderson radiation oncologist discusses why neoadjuvant radiation may improve tolerability and help more patients reach clean margins in cholangiocarcinoma. Medicaid Access (San Antonio): Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones presses state officials over Medicaid processing backlogs and a Bexar County voter registration delay tied to DPS transmission issues. Prison Heat (Texas): A federal ruling orders Texas to air-condition state prisons by 2029, citing extreme heat risks. Community Health (Sports medicine): UT Health East Texas highlights ACL injury prevention with simple warm-up programs for young athletes. Local Crime (Harris County): Three boys were hospitalized after a reported shooting in the Hockley area.

Behavioral Health Workforce: UT Health San Antonio is training “non-specialist providers” through an 8–12 week Reflective Training program to expand access to counseling and psychotherapy skills as Texas faces a shortage of behavioral health care workers. Prison Health & Safety: A federal judge ordered Texas prisons to install air conditioning by 2029, citing extreme heat as unconstitutional, after years of heat-related illness and deaths. Maternal Health: A North Texas mom’s premature birth scare helped fuel a $4 million maternal health push, aiming to get pregnant people earlier support. Medical Data Security: Maryland AG announced a $2.3 million multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to a debt collector, with hundreds of thousands of affected people in the state. Community Care: An East Texas Angel Network benefit concert in Longview raised funds to cover living and travel costs for families with children facing severe or terminal medical issues. Emergency Response: A Carson teen helped save an unconscious swimmer in Hermosa Beach by starting CPR after a physician appeared to suffer a heart attack.

Prison Heat Ruling: A federal judge ordered Texas to install air conditioning in all state prisons by Dec. 31, 2029, calling extreme heat unconstitutional; the court estimated costs around $1.5B. Public Safety & Health: A 12-year-old was shot while sitting in a minivan in northwest Harris County; officials say he’s expected to be OK as the case remains under investigation. Food Safety: FDA recalled nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar across eight states due to contamination concerns, including Target’s Good & Gather brands. Maternal Mental Health: Texas A&M Health highlighted postpartum mental health, noting about 20% of new mothers in the U.S. experience maternal mental health disorders and stressing treatment access. Local Housing/Health Services: Fort Worth submitted a $13.5M HUD grant request for housing and homelessness programs, including CDBG and HOME funding. Healthcare Access & Care Fraud: Texas continues to see TRICARE fraud cases in the news, including a major $26M scheme tied to fake treatments. Community Support: Graeme’s Gala raised $450,000 for congenital heart defect research, spotlighting local hospital leaders and families.

Opioid Alert: DEA and state/federal health officials warn about cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid reportedly up to 10x stronger than fentanyl, with detections reported across 18 states including Texas—officials say common fentanyl test strips may not catch it. Cancer & Care Navigation: A Texas doctor’s rare-cancer journey highlights how a healthcare AI chatbot helped guide a diagnosis and treatment path, while UT MD Anderson researchers shared new radiation oncology findings at ASTRO 2026. Mental Health Access: Former Cowboys player Greg Ellis brought a mental health and wellness app and life-coach training to East Texas, partnering with local mental health organizations. Public Health Events: Texarkana’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is set for Oct. 3, and North Texas residents are invited to Walk to End Lupus events. Food Safety: FDA recalled Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning sold in Texas due to elevated lead; FDA also flagged a large sugar recall across multiple states including Texas. Health Policy & Systems: Texas prisons must be air-conditioned by 2029 after a federal judge ruled extreme heat unconstitutional.

Mental Health Access in Texas: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice are teaming up to expand no-cost, in-person and virtual mental health services for employer plans, with access through 80 Chrysalis locations across multiple states including Texas. TB Testing Debate: A new discussion around psoriasis care questions whether patients starting IL-23 inhibitors still need baseline TB tests and how often screening should repeat, highlighting a mismatch between older protocols and newer drug mechanisms. Healthcare Affordability: A report tied to Hispanic Heritage Month says Texas has the nation’s highest uninsured rate, with 1 in 3 Hispanic working-age adults lacking access to care. Food Safety Recall: FDA reports Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning recalled in Texas and several other states due to elevated lead levels; no illnesses reported. Maternal Health Lawsuit: A lawsuit alleges Texas abortion restrictions contributed to the death of Tierra Walker from preeclampsia complications. Community Health Events: A Goliad walk-in flu shot clinic is set for Sept. 30, and a Houston-area school blood drive reported 82 signups and 75 pints collected. Prison Heat Oversight: A federal judge ordered Texas to air-condition all state prisons by 2029, calling extreme heat unconstitutional.

Rural EMS by electric flight: BETA Technologies and Metro Aviation tested all-electric aircraft in Texas as part of the federal eVTOL Integration Pilot, aiming to speed delivery of critical supplies and support disaster-response for Washington County EMS. Heat safety rollback: Workers across the U.S. are facing record heat while federal heat-protection rules are frozen, raising concerns about dehydration and heat illness. Youth mental health in Texas: Haywood Mall installed a suicide-prevention mural with a semicolon symbol, created with nonprofit Walt’s Waltz. Prescription costs for Texans: A guide highlights ways uninsured Texans can cut medication prices by comparing pharmacy rates and checking generic and discount options. Disability benefits pressure in Texas: Texas Democrats, led by Rep. Veronica Escobar, asked the SSA Inspector General to investigate rising SSDI processing wait times. Insurance affordability stress: Reporting says Texas homeowners paid far more for insurance after hail losses surged, with climate and other risks driving premiums up. AI and health risks: Coverage flags growing concerns about AI systems being used in ways that could harm healthcare systems and privacy.

Rural Care by Air: BETA Technologies says it’s testing lower-cost, all-electric aircraft in North Carolina’s eLIFT program, including simulated deliveries of medical cargo to rural access points—aimed at speeding care-team and supply transport. Health Policy & Aging: Texas HHSC marked Healthy Aging Month by pointing older Texans to Area Agencies on Aging, ADRCs, Age Well Live Well, Texercise, and caregiver support, while seeking input for an Aging Texas Well Strategic Plan. Medicaid & Data Privacy: Texas-linked fallout from a Labcorp/AMCA data breach settlement tops the week, with a multistate $2.3M deal tied to exposed sensitive medical debt-collection data; separately, a CVS class action settlement targets web tracking that allegedly shared patient health info without consent. Access to Rehab: Encompass Health plans a new small-format inpatient rehab hospital in Conroe (opening late 2027) plus a replacement hospital in The Woodlands to expand capacity in the Houston area. Local Health Workforce: UNT Health is struggling to secure enough clinical training sites, describing it as a “game of Tetris” near Fort Worth hospitals. Food Insecurity: A No Kid Hungry Texas poll finds half of Texas families report skipping meals or eating less due to rising food costs.

Transgender sports ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on trans girls and women in women’s sports under Title IX, leaving many state restrictions in place and shaping the next wave of sex-discrimination fights. Houston parks investment: Mayor John Whitmire and the Houston Parks Board broke ground on “Let’s Play Houston,” a roughly $60M effort to upgrade 25 neighborhood parks, starting with Lawrence Park in the Heights. East Texas health & environment: The EPA rolled back coal power plant rules tied to greenhouse-gas limits, a change critics say could worsen air quality and asthma risk around facilities like Martin Lake. HIV prevention push: Kelly Rowland will headline AIDS Walk Atlanta, spotlighting HIV testing, prevention, and awareness at Piedmont Park. Data privacy: A new report highlights how data brokers can compile detailed personal profiles, raising fresh concerns about medical and political inferences. Prison heat: A federal judge ordered Texas prisons to install air conditioning by 2029, citing extreme-heat harms. Cancer research: Medicenna announced an oral presentation on bizaxofusp survival outcomes for recurrent glioblastoma at SNO 2026. Community health access: South Texas Blood & Tissue and other local events continue promoting screenings and support services across the region.

Public Health Funding: Bexar County Public Health says it will keep key programs running after ARPA COVID relief ends Jan. 1, with commissioners funding some post-ARPA positions for chronic disease prevention and behavioral health. Community Health & Safety: Killeen’s only overnight shelter is set to close without city funding, but a nonprofit is pitching a 44-bed replacement with meals, mental health support, and job training. Healthy Aging: HHSC marks Healthy Aging Month by pointing older Texans to Area Agencies on Aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and statewide “Age Well Live Well” resources. Cancer Screening: South Texas Health System’s Think Pink push promotes discounted mammograms and early breast cancer detection events. Blood Donation Drive: South Texas Blood & Tissue is running a blood-donor promotion for F1 Grand Prix tickets in Austin. Health Equity & Access: UTHealth Houston’s database expands long COVID surveillance, aiming to close gaps in care and data. Care in the Spotlight: A Supreme Court decision leaves a Texas surrogacy custody fight in limbo as a baby faces ongoing heart treatment. Immigration-Related Medical Harm: Reports continue on a Venezuelan man shot by ICE in Austin, with his family saying he needs urgent surgery after a bullet was left near his spine.