AGP Executive Report

Extreme Heat & Safety: Triple-digit temperatures and humidity are driving health risks across Maryland and the DC area, with heat advisories and a severe thunderstorm watch affecting holiday plans. Air Quality Warning: Officials warn that fireworks at the National Mall could spike pollution to “very unhealthy” levels, with guidance to limit time outdoors and consider masks for sensitive people. Heat-Linked Transit Disruption: A Washington Metro train derailed near College Park after extreme heat reportedly caused a rail “heat kink,” sending 11 passengers to safety and prompting speed restrictions. Community Wellness Event: Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Pasadena campus is hosting free “Paws, Poses and Peace” yoga and guided meditation sessions with certified therapy dogs. Food Security in Summer: With school out, hunger relief needs rise; local and national groups are pushing free meals and food recovery to fill the gap. Public Health Alert: Wicomico County reported a rabid raccoon in Salisbury, urging residents to avoid wild animals and keep pets vaccinated.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: Maryland and the broader Mid-Atlantic are bracing for dangerous Fourth of July conditions as heat warnings persist, with Baltimore fire crews treating 70+ patients in triple-digit temperatures and officials urging residents to limit outdoor time, hydrate, and watch for heat illness. Air Quality & Fireworks Health: Health and environmental experts warn Washington, D.C.’s planned mega-fireworks show (850,000) could spike smoke and fine particles, raising short-term health risks—especially for people with heart or lung conditions. Power Grid Strain: The heat wave is also stressing the electric grid, with emergency measures allowing PJM to curtail data centers and warnings that outages can become life-threatening without air conditioning. Water Safety Tragedy: A 16-year-old missing in the Potomac River near Great Falls was found dead after a multi-agency search, and a separate incident saw a man treated for a heat-related medical condition near Sycamore Island. Local Health & Community Support: Howard County is expanding overdose prevention with free, anonymous, 24/7 vending machines, adding to the state’s push for harm-reduction access. Zoo Cooling Protocols: The Maryland Zoo detailed how it keeps animals safe during extreme heat, including temperature-controlled spaces and species-specific cooling strategies.

Extreme Heat Response: Baltimore fire and emergency crews treated 70+ people for heat-related illnesses as triple-digit temperatures hit, with officials urging aggressive cooling and watching for warning signs like cramps, dehydration, and confusion. Weather & Public Safety: A Severe Thunderstorm Watch and First Alert Weather Days are in effect across Maryland, with an Extreme Heat Warning through the Fourth of July and an Air Quality Alert adding another health risk for sensitive groups. Holiday Disruptions: Washington’s Great American State Fair temporarily shut down due to extreme heat, and other Independence Day events faced delays or cancellations as organizers expanded cooling resources, water stations, and medical support. Local Health Leadership: UPMC Western Maryland appointed Dr. Mary Ann Riley as vice president of Medical Affairs, elevating clinical leadership, physician engagement, and patient safety. Healthcare Fraud Accountability: Maryland AG Anthony G. Brown announced a Baltimore court judgment and permanent industry ban against a lead paint inspector tied to fraudulent lead inspection practices. Sports Medicine (Indirect Health Watch): The Orioles placed closer Ryan Helsley on the 15-day injured list with elbow discomfort, a reminder of how quickly health issues can derail performance.

Extreme Heat Response: Baltimore extended its Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Sunday, urging residents to limit outdoor time, hydrate, and check on vulnerable neighbors as heat indexes top 105 and the National Weather Service warning continues. Energy Relief: Gov. Wes Moore expanded Maryland’s energy assistance for about 200,000 households, with benefits rising up to 32% and a simplified application process, plus added support for immigrant families not eligible for federal aid. Food Safety: A requesón listeria outbreak tied to Clover Hill Dairy has reached Illinois, Maryland, New York and Virginia, with most cases among Hispanic patients; Maryland suspended Clover Hill’s license and expanded recalls. Medicaid Legal Fight: Maryland AG Ford joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s Medicaid work requirements for medically frail individuals, arguing unlawful implementation threatens coverage. Biotech Trial Milestone: Immunomic Therapeutics (HLB subsidiary) dosed the first patient in a Phase 1 trial of its Japanese cedar allergy vaccine candidate ITI-9001 in Rockville. Local Health Workforce: New projections warn a rheumatologist shortage will hit nonmetropolitan areas hardest, with far fewer specialists outside metro regions. Community Health & Wellness: Howard County launched a Financial Empowerment Center program to provide free counseling and improve financial stability for residents. Public Health in the News: A copperhead bite sent a 5-year-old to Children’s National Hospital via medical transport, highlighting the need to treat venomous bites as emergencies. Health Care Industry: Bora Pharmaceuticals completed its $122.5M acquisition of MacroGenics’ Rockville manufacturing operations, expanding U.S. biologics CDMO capacity. Conservation with Health Links: Talbot County preserved 153 acres of farmland through conservation easements that protect waterways feeding the Chesapeake Bay.

Heat Relief & Housing Health: Maryland is expanding energy assistance for about 200,000 households, boosting benefits up to 32% and simplifying applications to help families avoid utility shutoffs during summer strain. Overdose Recovery Support: The Maryland Office of Overdose Response awarded $6.3 million in grants, including $57,802 for Evolve Kids Care to provide free child care at Voices of Hope in Elkton so parents can attend recovery meetings. Cooling Centers: Carroll County is extending cooling center hours through the holiday weekend, with additional Sunday and Monday access at community sites and libraries. AC Enforcement Gap: A new Maryland cooling standard with $500 fines applies only to rental buildings with 10+ units, leaving many smaller properties uncovered—an issue for tenants during extreme heat. Mental Health Access: For All Seasons launched a free mini-course on LGBTQIA+ mental health support, focusing on barriers to care and practical ways communities can respond. Public Health & Food Security: Maryland SUN Bucks begins for summer, providing $40 per month in EBT benefits for eligible families to cover the nutrition gap when school ends. Substance Abuse & Community Safety: A violence reduction program in Dayton touts a “block of hope” with no gun violence for 111 days, highlighting how community-based intervention can change local outcomes.

Disability Services: Maryland delayed planned Developmental Disabilities Administration changes for self-directed caregiver programs after advocates warned families were bracing for wage cuts, hour limits, and new licensing requirements—relief that still leaves caregivers and small providers unable to plan. Extreme Heat & Power Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency alert for the PJM grid, covering Maryland, directing actions to prevent blackouts and keep essential services like hospitals running during the heat wave. Health Research & Care Innovation: In Bethesda, the FNIH launched a “Music as Medicine” neuroscience initiative funding studies on music-based therapies for conditions including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and depression; CorVista Health also announced an AMA Category III CPT code to support reimbursement for its AI cardiovascular assessment system. Food & Pharmacy Access: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle in a $1.65B deal that includes stores and pharmacies across Maryland and the region, with Giant Eagle expected to keep its name and operate as a division. Public Safety: Maryland-Virginia border crash shut down Route 13 after a fatal two-vehicle collision; investigators continue.

Extreme Heat Preparedness: Howard County issued a heat advisory for July 1 (heat index up to 107) and an extreme heat watch starting July 2 through the July 4 weekend (indices up to 112), with officials urging hydration, indoor breaks, and extra care for kids, older adults, pregnant people, and those with health conditions. Cooling Centers & Public Health Response: Maryland opened cooling centers statewide as Baltimore launched Code Red Extreme Heat Season through mid-September, citing rising heat risks and last year’s heat-related deaths. Housing + Health Link: Maryland expanded its Assistance in Community Integration Services program by adding 1,070 participant spaces, pairing Medicaid enrollees with chronic conditions and housing insecurity with case managers; officials say it helps connect people to stable housing and can cut emergency visits. Grocery Consolidation: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, expanding its footprint across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including stores in Maryland; the deal is expected to close in 2027 pending regulators. Local Safety & Crime: Baltimore reported a 23% drop in homicides in the first half of 2026, continuing a broader decline in violent crime.

Extreme Heat Preparedness: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness for a record-breaking heat wave over the July 4 holiday, urging residents to hydrate, stay cool, and check on vulnerable neighbors as conditions peak Thursday through Saturday. Heat Safety in Baltimore: Baltimore issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert and extended pool hours, adding more cooling options as triple-digit temperatures loom. Behavioral Health Access: A new national survey warns that “ghost networks” and low reimbursement are pushing nearly half of behavioral health clinicians to drop or consider dropping commercial insurance plans, raising affordability concerns. Graduate Loan Confusion: Financial aid administrators in National Harbor are scrambling after court and guidance changes to federal graduate loan rules, leaving uncertainty for nursing, physician assistant, physical therapy, and other programs. Local Care & Facilities: Baltimore’s new cancer center is designed with patients in mind, while GBMC received a $6M gift to expand pediatric services. Public Health Alerts: Cambridge reported a small sewage overflow after a pump station shutdown, with no impact to drinking water and water testing planned.

Food Safety Crisis: Clover Hill Dairy’s listeria outbreak in Mechanicsville has now been linked to one death, eight hospitalizations and nine illnesses, with Maryland health officials keeping individual details private while all cheese products remain under recall guidance. Medicaid Legal Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states and DC sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow for ill and disabled people. Public Health Preparedness: Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness for a dangerous July 1–5 heat wave, with heat indexes forecast around 105–110 and possible peaks near 115, urging hydration and use of cooling centers. Local Health & Safety: Cambridge reported a small sewage overflow after a pump station backup, with officials saying drinking water wasn’t affected. Community Impact: Baltimore settled a lawsuit from a 2021 police-car chase that injured a West Baltimore teen, paying $400,000. Caregiver Support: Maryland lawmakers advanced new measures to help unpaid caregivers, including a centralized resource webpage and a study on potential caregiver stipends.

Medicaid Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states plus DC sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing federal guidance narrows the “medically frail” exemption too much and could kick off ill and disabled people. Extreme Heat & Public Health: A record-breaking heat wave is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic and Maryland corridor into the July 4 holiday, with cooling centers opening and officials urging hydration and heat illness prevention. Pediatric Cancer Breakthrough: Children’s National reported early results from a first-in-human T-cell immunotherapy trial for aggressive pediatric brain tumors, showing promising long-term survival signals. Maternal Care in Cecil County: Union Hospital’s Family Birth Center in Elkton is closing, raising questions about staffing and sustainability even as local births have held steady. Food Safety: The Clover Hill Dairy listeria outbreak has grown to 12 cases across Maryland, New York, Virginia and now Illinois, with one Maryland death reported. Vaping Crackdown: Shopify will ban all vaping product sales on its platform, a move praised by AGs as a youth-protection step. Maryland Policy Push: Maryland’s July 1 law rollout includes budget, vaccine authority, judicial ethics disclosures, and tighter cannabis advertising rules. Summer Safety: Johns Hopkins Children’s Center warns families about Fourth of July burn risks, especially sparklers and grills.

Medicaid Access Fight: Maryland AGs joined a multi-state lawsuit challenging Trump administration Medicaid work requirements that could force medically frail patients to prove they’re sick enough to keep coverage. Food as Medicine: Gov. Wes Moore announced $10M for Produce Rx, letting providers prescribe no-cost fresh produce for low-income families and students tied to diet-related chronic illness and food insecurity. Pediatric Care Investment: GBMC received a $6M leadership gift to expand and renovate its pediatric emergency and inpatient departments, including added behavioral health space. Heat & Safety: Eastern U.S. braces for dangerous heat; Maryland also saw reminders on heat illness and cooling-center use as temperatures climb. Drownings in Maryland: Two young children died in separate private pool drownings in Anne Arundel County, prompting renewed calls for fencing, life rings, and never leaving kids unsupervised. Hospital Recognition: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center earned Becker’s “100 Great Community Hospitals” recognition for quality and patient safety. Autism Diagnostics Expansion: Acorn Health expanded autism diagnostic evaluations in Florida, offering earlier assessments for children as young as 18 months.

Food Safety: Maryland-based La Ceiba Foods recalled cottage cheese products (Requesón Salvadoreno and Requesón Mexicano) sold under Selectos Latinos and La Colonia brands after possible Listeria contamination linked to a Clover Hill Dairy recall; FDA/CDC are investigating a multi-state outbreak tied to the supplier, with serious risk for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and immunocompromised residents. Public Health & Environment: A separate Clover Hill Dairy advisory expanded after a broader cheese recall tied to Listeria monocytogenes, with illnesses, hospitalizations, and a death reported; consumers are urged to check for specific brand names and plant identifiers and not eat recalled products. Health Care Costs: A new analysis says retirees in 41 states (including Maryland) may outlive savings because long-term care costs are often missing from retirement planning, with a projected lifetime funding gap. Local Health Policy/Infrastructure: Maryland’s congressional delegation met with Gov. Wes Moore to discuss priorities including health and affordability, alongside infrastructure and water systems. Community Response: D.C.-area groups are organizing donations for Venezuela earthquake relief, including medical and hygiene supplies.

Heat Safety: Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Gabe Kellen warns that extreme heat can turn deadly fast—don’t wait to feel thirsty; watch for fatigue, cramps, and confusion and get to a cool place. Public Health Funding: UM Charles Regional Medical Center received a $60,000 Wills Group grant to expand its Food Is Medicine program, aiming to improve outcomes for diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension with medically tailored meals. Workplace Health & Jobs: Johns Hopkins University plans layoffs of about 110 employees tied to steep federal research funding cuts, including administrative roles at Carey Business School. Care Access & Coverage: Maryland lawmakers are advancing menopause-care coverage efforts, with a bill requiring insurers to cover menopause treatment—part of a broader push to keep women in the workforce. Community Health & Nutrition: Dietitians highlight blueberries as a top fruit choice for people with diabetes, citing lower sugar impact and fiber. Local School Capacity: Charles County commissioners approved school allocations for six residential projects, but two schools face capacity limits that can block new allocations. Safety Incident: St. Mary’s County EMS responded to an electrocution aboard a Coast Guard vessel near Point Lookout; the patient was alert and breathing with a concussion.

Health Insurance Costs: Maryland insurers are seeking an average 13.7% premium increase for 2027 on ACA marketplace plans, affecting about 482,000 enrollees, with filings citing rising medical costs and the loss of enhanced federal tax credits. Stroke Research: The University of Maryland is recruiting healthy volunteers over 45 who’ve never had a stroke for a study aimed at improving speech therapy for stroke-related aphasia. Heat Safety: A heatstroke survivor warns that extreme heat can hit even teens and healthy adults, urging people to take symptoms seriously during hot weather. HIV Testing: National HIV Testing Day spotlights free, confidential rapid HIV and STI testing in Maryland and the importance of knowing status to access PrEP and care. Public Health & Travel: A new report ranks Maryland among the higher bedbug-risk states for travelers, adding to summer travel health concerns. Local Care Access: Maryland’s U.S. House shutdown vote included disputes over health care subsidies, with lawmakers warning about impacts on costs for families.

Stroke research: The University of Maryland is recruiting healthy volunteers over 45 (no prior stroke) for a study aimed at improving speech therapy for aphasia, with one in-person visit at College Park plus two virtual sessions. HIV testing push: National HIV Testing Day is spotlighting self-care and status checks, and local partners in the region are offering free, confidential rapid HIV and STI testing at Walgreens locations in Maryland. Care access & staffing: University of Maryland Shore Medical Group welcomed Maria Deza to its neurology and sleep medicine team, adding experience across neurosurgery, palliative care, and emergency medicine. Public health policy fight: Maryland Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Ron Wyden urged action against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing concerns about changes to hepatitis B vaccine recommendations. Insurance scrutiny: CareFirst is facing a federal racketeering lawsuit alleging an “international fraud” scheme tied to Maryland address-based enrollment for expensive treatments. Community health legacy: A West Baltimore law office tied to Juanita Jackson Mitchell is reopening as the Roar Center, offering free legal and mental health services. Safety & emergencies: Calvert County responded to a serious crash with one trapped patient flown to Washington Hospital Center; Great Mills crews investigated an assault with one unconscious man and another injured.

Public Health Alert: Harford County health officials are warning residents after a rabid raccoon tested positive for rabies near Emory Church Road in Street, urging anyone with direct contact—or pets that may have been exposed—to call for follow-up and reminding people to keep pets leashed and vaccinated. Food Safety: Maryland’s Department of Health expanded a Clover Hill Dairy recall after possible Listeria contamination risk across all cheese products, warning listeriosis can be especially dangerous for pregnant people, newborns, and young children. Healthcare Operations: University of Maryland Shore Regional Health named Tyson Werner director of supply chain and logistics, tasking him with procurement, distribution, and inventory work aimed at reducing waste and supporting patient safety. Care Access & Costs: Maryland health insurers serving the exchange are seeking premium increases averaging 13.7% for individual plans in 2027, adding pressure for residents already juggling affordability. Community Health & Equity: Gov. Moore highlighted efforts to make Maryland more affordable and competitive in the State of the State, including attention to housing and crime, while also pointing to the rise of data centers and immigration enforcement. Health & Aging: A new Q&A explains why loss of smell can be age-related and linked to brain changes, and points to smell training and lifestyle steps that may help protect cognition.