AGP Executive Report

Hurricane Response: HHS declared a public health emergency in Alabama after Hurricane Isaias, allowing temporary Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP rule waivers for providers in Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia counties. Measles Alert: Alabama health officials say an infected traveler visited a Bailey Cove Subway and nearby Publix in Huntsville while contagious. People who may have been exposed should watch for symptoms for up to 21 days; vaccination offers strong protection. Women’s Health: West Alabama Women’s Center is expanding access with a monthly walk-in clinic. Seasonal Protection: Alabama health organizations are urging residents to ask their doctors about seasonal vaccines.

Storm Recovery: HHS declared a public health emergency in Alabama after Hurricane Isaias, allowing temporary Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP flexibilities. People distressed by the storm can call or text the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990. Measles Alert: Alabama health officials reported a measles case in a traveler who visited Huntsville businesses and identified exposure locations. They urge residents to watch for symptoms and stay up to date on vaccination. Seasonal Protection: State health, hospital and medical groups are urging Alabamians to ask a doctor which flu, COVID-19, RSV and pneumonia vaccines fit their health needs. Care Access: West Alabama Women’s Center is launching a monthly walk-in clinic to expand access to women’s healthcare. Outdoor Wellness: Athens’ Swan Creek Greenway has joined the Singing River Trail Network, with plans to connect more communities and offer safe places for recreation.

Measles Alert: Alabama health officials identified a Huntsville case involving an international traveler who visited two Bailey Cove businesses while infectious. Anyone there during the listed times should check vaccination status and watch for symptoms. Medicare Enrollment: Open enrollment runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7. TARCOG SHIP counselors in five northeast Alabama counties offer free, unbiased help comparing plans; the program says 2,672 residents saved more than $1.5 million this year. UAB Lawsuit: Families of incarcerated people whose organs were allegedly taken after their deaths urged UAB officials to meet with them as their civil case continues. UAB declined to comment. Alabama Research: Southern Research will use $2 million in federal funding secured by Sen. Katie Britt to upgrade lab equipment and expand its research capabilities. PFAS Treatment: Claros Technologies and Daikin America plan a full-scale PFAS-destruction system at Daikin’s Decatur plant, following a trial that reported more than 99.99% destruction of targeted PFAS.

Measles Alert: Alabama health officials are urging people who visited a Huntsville Subway on Oct. 4–6 or a nearby Publix on Oct. 4 during specified hours to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms. The MMR vaccine offers the best protection; symptoms can appear 7–14 days after exposure. Air Quality: A Code Orange alert is in effect Wednesday for Jefferson and Shelby counties. Children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions should consider limiting strenuous outdoor activity. Blood Pressure Care: Tanner Health and CareTrack report improved readings among many patients using remote monitoring across 18 counties in Alabama and Georgia: 58% lowered their average systolic pressure, and 47% improved both systolic and diastolic readings. Medicare Enrollment: Open enrollment begins Oct. 15. Cullman County beneficiaries can book counseling appointments to compare coverage before the Dec. 7 deadline.

Health Research: Birmingham-based Southern Research received an $8 million NIH grant to build a national hub advancing alternatives to animal testing. Prevention: Alabama launched a youth tobacco-free initiative. In Florence, the Shoals Community Clinic will offer eligible women 40 and older free breast and cervical cancer screenings on Oct. 19 and 21, with follow-up care available. Storm Recovery: More than 80% of southeast Alabama customers have had power restored after Hurricane Isaias, but a Dothan couple who rely on oxygen equipment was forced to seek a motel after losing electricity. Medicare: AARP Alabama urges beneficiaries to review plan changes and watch for enrollment scams during open enrollment, Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

Youth Health: Alabama is launching a tobacco-free initiative for ages 13–24, linking young people to quit support and adding tobacco treatment to behavioral-health services. Infant Safety: The state health department urges safe sleep: babies should sleep alone, on their backs, in a crib. It reports 65 of Alabama’s 414 infant deaths in 2024 were classified as sudden unexpected infant deaths. Birmingham Research: Southern Research won an $8 million NIH grant to build a national hub for human-relevant research that could improve drug development and reduce animal testing. Physician Safety: A UAB expert warns that an aging medical workforce and doctor shortages raise questions about how physicians’ fitness to practice is monitored; nearly 47% of U.S. doctors are 55 or older. Storm Recovery: Isaias left widespread power outages in Alabama, where officials warned residents about carbon monoxide risks from generators; the storm also caused deaths in the state. Local Care: Free health screenings are being offered at a Tuscaloosa event.

Storm Health Risks: Hurricane Isaias left more than 390,000 Alabama and Florida customers without power, and officials warned residents to use generators safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. At least two people died in Alabama as the storm crossed the state. UAB Research: An early human trial of an experimental injection found a 12% reduction in visceral fat, which is linked to metabolic risks. UAB’s Timothy Garvey helped lead the research; the findings are preliminary, not proof of a treatment. Rural Care: At a Huntsville rally, gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones called for Medicaid expansion, arguing it could help rural communities where hospitals have closed or are at risk. Support for Mobile Families: A $91,351 grant will fund a transportation van for families staying at Ronald McDonald House Mobile, connecting them with children’s hospital care, appointments and pharmacies.

UAB Obesity Research: An early human trial of experimental injection CBL-514 found it reduced visceral fat surrounding organs by about 12%. UAB’s W. Timothy Garvey helped lead the research; possible benefits for people stopping weight-loss drugs remain unproven in humans. Storm Recovery Safety: More than 76,000 Alabama homes and businesses were still without power Sunday after Hurricane Isaias. Officials warn that generators can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning: one person died in a garage where a generator was running, and four others were hospitalized. Birmingham Acne Study: Dermatologist Julie Harper presented phase 3 extension results showing denifanstat’s acne improvements continued through 52 weeks, with fewer lesions and no new safety concerns highlighted in the report.

Hurricane Recovery: Isaias left a deadly mark in Alabama: a falling tree killed a Birmingham resident, while outages and flood risks threatened residents who rely on refrigerated medicines or powered medical equipment. Red Cross health workers are helping shelter residents manage medications and equipment; federal disaster aid has been approved for Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. Care Access: Hoover’s planned Riverwalk Health & Wellness Center has named Baptist Health and Seale Harris Clinic as lead tenants. Mobile is also expanding its crisis response team, while a new mental health crisis facility is planned for Phenix City. Medical Debt: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s donations have helped erase more than $40 billion in medical debt nationwide, including across Alabama, by funding purchases and cancellation of unpaid bills.

Storm Recovery: Isaias killed at least two people in Alabama and left about 183,000 customers without power Saturday afternoon. State health officials urged residents to refill prescriptions and plan backup power for dialysis and oxygen as flooding and outages threatened care. FEMA approved disaster aid for Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties. Behavioral Health: In Phenix City, Integrea is planning a mental health crisis facility, adding local capacity for urgent care. Healthcare Access: Baptist Health and Seale Harris Clinic will anchor Hoover’s planned Riverwalk Health and Wellness Center, bringing medical services to a growing area. Rural Care: Perry County is among six Alabama communities named for rural health grants.

Hurricane Response: Isaias has left hundreds of thousands without power in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, with flooding, downed trees and continued heavy rain raising health and safety risks. FEMA has authorized aid for Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia counties and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, covering 75% of eligible emergency protective measures. Rural Health: Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Program awarded 138 grants totaling more than $144 million. Troy University received $178,070 to expand virtual-reality training for nursing and EMS students and launch mentoring for rural nursing students. Cleaner Air: Alabama’s Clean Indoor Air Act now bans vaping where smoking is prohibited, including restaurants and schools. Some students question whether the new rule will be enforced. Traffic Safety: Nearly $5.8 million in state grants will support crash-prevention efforts, including child car-seat education, distracted-driving outreach and added DUI enforcement.

Hurricane Preparedness: Category 3 Hurricane Isaias is expected to hit near the Alabama-Florida line, bringing dangerous surge, damaging winds, flooding and possible outages. State health officials urge residents to keep medicines and supplies ready, use generators outdoors and avoid floodwater and downed wires. Food Safety: Alabama has closed shellfish harvesting waters in Mobile and Baldwin counties because storm rain may contaminate oyster beds. Medicare Help: Open enrollment begins Oct. 15. TARCOG’s SHIP counselors offer free, unbiased coverage guidance to older adults in five northeast Alabama counties; officials also warn consumers to watch for Medicare scams. Local Care: UAB closed Alabama’s only 24-hour eye emergency department and replaced it with urgent care. Patients should check how visits are billed and seek an emergency department after clinic hours. Rural Health: Nearly $55 million in grants is aimed at expanding maternal care, emergency medical services and cancer screening in rural Alabama.

Insurance Costs: Alabama finalized 2027 individual-market health rates, with a weighted average increase of 20.7%. Oscar Health’s rates will rise 33.8%, UnitedHealthcare’s 27.5% and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s 19.9%; Celtic’s 11.4% increase is the smallest. Hurricane Preparedness: As Category 2 Hurricane Isaias approaches the Gulf Coast, Gov. Kay Ivey has declared an emergency in 40 counties. Officials urge residents who rely on prescriptions, dialysis or oxygen to plan for disruptions, while Medicaid offices in Mobile and Dothan are set to close early Friday. Coastal facilities are also closing ahead of the storm.

Hurricane Health Readiness: Isaias has strengthened to a Category 2 storm, with dangerous winds, flooding and storm surge threatening southern Alabama. Mobile County plans to open three shelters Friday, including a medical-needs shelter at Cranford Burns Middle School; residents needing a ride can call 2-1-1. Officials urge people to refill medications, prepare essentials and never drive through floodwater. Keep generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Mental Health Access: A new crisis-care facility is planned for Phenix City, expanding local support for people in urgent need. Healthcare Facilities: Hoover’s planned Riverwalk Health & Wellness Center has named Baptist Health and Seale Harris Clinic as lead tenants. UAB Research: A new study identifies how immune cells balance antibody and cellular responses, findings that could inform vaccine research and understanding of autoimmune disease.

Hurricane Isaias: The storm has strengthened into a hurricane, with dangerous winds, flooding and storm surge forecast along the northern Gulf Coast. Gulf Coast residents should refill prescriptions and plan backup power for dialysis and oxygen equipment; Orange Beach and Gulf Shores officials have advised some low-lying residents to evacuate. Emergency Response: Orange Beach plans to launch self-flying rescue drones next summer to deliver life preservers and reach swimmers before first responders arrive. Lifeguards have already handled 260 water rescues this year. Healthcare Access: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed has proposed a joint city-county health authority to oversee public healthcare investments and protect regional access after Jackson Hospital’s bankruptcy restructuring. The city says it would not take over the hospital. Mental Health and Rural Care: A new mental health crisis facility is planned for Phenix City, while nearly $55 million in federal grants will support rural maternal care, emergency services and cancer screening across Alabama. Breast Cancer Screening: Alabama residents who lack adequate coverage may qualify for free screening and diagnostic services through the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program; call 1-877-252-3324 or contact a county health department.

Storm Readiness: With Isaias forecast to threaten the northern Gulf Coast, families should refill prescriptions and plan for power or service disruptions affecting dialysis, oxygen and other medical needs. Mental Health Care: Integrea plans a 12-bed crisis-stabilization center in Phenix City, serving Russell and nearby counties; it is expected to open by the end of 2027. Insurance Access: Alabama behavioral-health providers report Blue Cross Blue Shield downcoding claims, leaving clinicians to spend hours appealing reduced payments. Local Care: Baptist Health and Seale Harris Clinic will anchor Hoover’s Riverwalk Health & Wellness Center, planned to open in early 2028 with clinics and an ambulatory surgery center. Rural Health: Nearly $55 million in federal grants will support Alabama projects in maternal care, emergency services and cancer screening, including birth emergency carts for at least 20 rural hospitals. Prevention: A new Alabama law requires full insurance coverage of prostate cancer screenings for men at higher risk.