AGP Executive Report

SNAP Health Push: North Dakota SNAP is updating EBT-eligible items starting Sept. 1, aiming to reduce sugar and stimulants by excluding sweetened drinks, energy drinks, and candy; officials say retailers are adjusting and diabetes-related questions are coming up as recipients are encouraged to share feedback. Public Health & Prevention: Minot’s mosquito control plan shifts toward surveillance and ground fogging to curb West Nile virus risk, after trap counts spiked earlier this summer. Vaccines Watch: CDC data shows childhood vaccination rates and exemption rates continue to slip, with exemptions rising for the fourth straight year, including across the Midwest. Food Safety & Home Canning: A practical health-focused guide warns that green beans should not be water-bath canned; it highlights botulism risk and suggests freezing, drying, or using an electric pressure canner for safer preservation. Youth Mental Health Funding: HHS awarded $1.23M in North Dakota for suicide prevention, housing, and transitional services for young people, including grants to Turtle Mountain and Mountain Plains Youth Services. Rural Health Risk: Drought and dust are driving more reports of “dust pneumonia” in ND cattle herds, especially among young calves.

Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis and other severe foodborne illness outbreaks are spiking nationwide, with FDA response ramping up as officials insist the food supply is safe. Rural Health & Tech: HHS and other leaders are pushing AI for rural care, but some residents remain skeptical about whether it truly helps patients. North Dakota Policy: ND lawmakers advanced a two-part kratom package for a Sept. 2 special session—age limits and labeling for natural products, plus a ban on synthetic derivatives. Nutrition Access: ND HHS is rolling out a SNAP “Healthy Choice” update starting Sept. 1, changing which items can be bought with EBT. Public Health Funding: HHS awarded $1.23M for youth suicide prevention, housing, and transitional services in ND. Animal Health: Drought and dust storms are driving more “dust pneumonia” respiratory illness reports in ND cattle herds. Community Wellness: Bemidji’s long-awaited YMCA wellness center broke ground with Sanford support, aiming to expand local health programming.

Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota lawmakers unanimously advanced a two-part package to restrict kratom ahead of a Sept. 2 special session—banning synthetic derivatives as Schedule I and setting age limits, labeling, and retailer oversight for natural leaf products. Public Health Leadership: Fargo hired former mayor Tim Mahoney as health officer, but the appointment drew questions from commissioners over process and pay. State Health Agency Shakeup: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, citing his role in rural health grant work. Clinical Access in Rural Areas: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, with a focus on expanding access across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Child Safety After Violence: A 1-year-old in Mandan is expected to fully recover after surviving an alleged attack by his mother that killed two siblings. Tree Disease Threat: Pine wilt disease was confirmed in North Dakota for the first time, found in Scotch pines in Ransom and Sargent counties, with officials warning it could spread as temperatures rise. Vaccine Policy Fight: A broad coalition, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, criticized a White House executive order on childhood vaccines for undermining confidence without evidence.

Leadership & Access: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead North Dakota’s Department of Health and Human Services, starting Aug. 29, tasking him with oversight of a $5.7B agency and major rural health grant work. Public Health Policy: North Dakota expanded its kratom crackdown, with the state already banning kratom statewide and lawmakers set to consider restrictions during a Sept. 2 special session. Community Health & Safety: Fargo Cass Public Health is set to hire former Fargo Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney as health officer, aiming to tackle vaccine declines and rising mental health and addiction needs. Health Systems: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, with a focus on expanding access across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Child & Family Support: Nearly 1,900 North Dakota families remain on a waitlist for childcare assistance; a proposed special-session bill would add $9M to reduce the backlog. Disease Watch: Pine wilt disease has been confirmed in North Dakota for the first time, found in Scotch pines in Ransom and Sargent counties, with officials warning it could spread as temperatures rise. Healthcare Funding Record: Federal records show the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction in Bismarck newly listed as a recipient of a $316,828 HHS refugee assistance grant.

Public Health Leadership: Fargo’s former mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney is set to return to government as health officer, with the City Commission expected to approve a five-year contract starting Sept. 1. Clinical Access & Prevention: Essentia Health is offering free sports physicals for high school athletes in Brainerd and Staples, with minors needing a parent or guardian. State Health Policy & Coverage: WalletHub ranks Georgia 49th for health care overall, highlighting access gaps like low insured rates and fewer providers—useful context as North Dakota debates care access. Childcare Strain: Nearly 1,900 North Dakota families remain on a waitlist for state childcare assistance, as lawmakers consider adding $9 million to reduce the backlog. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota is accepting applications for grants through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, aimed at improving workforces and health care options for rural and tribal communities (deadline Aug. 26). Health & Safety in the Community: A fatal I-94 crash near Jamestown involved an SUV that crossed the median and struck a semi; investigators note the driver was not wearing a seat belt. Environmental Health Watch: Pine wilt disease has been confirmed in North Dakota trees for the first time, raising concerns for windbreaks and community forests.

Childcare Access: North Dakota families are stuck on a growing waitlist for state childcare assistance, with 1,892 families listed as of Aug. 9 and lawmakers weighing an added $9 million for the special session. Rural Health Funding: The state is offering grant money through the Rural Health Transformation Fund to help rural and tribal communities improve workforces and health care options; applications are due Aug. 26. Behavioral Health Boost: U.S. HHS awards more than $4 million for North Dakota health initiatives, including support for Head Start, hospital preparedness, and a CDC suicide prevention expansion at UND. Medicare Advantage Cuts: KFF reports that Medicare Advantage plan terminations are hitting North Dakota and other states hard, leaving seniors to find new coverage. Public Health & Safety: A first West Nile virus case is reported in North Dakota, while a separate study ranks North Dakota low for medical malpractice payments compared with national hotspots. Health Workforce: Northland Community and Technical College physical therapy assistant student Madison Kraft earns a perfect score on the National Physical Therapy Exam. Community Care: Grand Forks’ Vets in the Park connects veterans and families with mental health, housing, and transition resources.

Childcare Access: Nearly 1,900 North Dakota families are on a waitlist for state childcare assistance, and a proposed special-session bill draft would add $9 million to help low-income working families get off the list. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota is offering grant money through the Rural Health Transformation Fund for rural and tribal communities, with applications due Aug. 26. Medicare Advantage Cuts: New national reporting flags that Medicare Advantage plan terminations are hitting North Dakota and other states hard, leaving seniors to find new coverage. Healthcare Leadership: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, expanding oversight across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Public Health & Safety: A study ranks states by childhood dental health, while separate coverage notes North Dakota’s first human West Nile case this year. Road Trauma: Two separate I-94 crash reports out of the Jamestown area describe a fatal SUV-semitruck collision where the driver was not wearing a seat belt. Community Health Support: Grand Forks’ “Vets in the Park” event connected veterans and families with mental health, housing and transition resources.

Health System Leadership: Essentia Health named Jason Craig executive vice president of administration and operations, tasking him with overseeing system operations across Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. Medicare Advantage Watch: A new KFF analysis says plan pullbacks are hitting seniors hard, with North Dakota among states where 60%+ of enrollees faced terminated Medicare Advantage plans. Rural Care & Access: North Dakota lawmakers are considering a special session package that includes kratom restrictions plus proposals tied to health infrastructure, including funding to improve care coordination and rural non-emergency medical transportation. Public Health & Safety: A study ranks North Dakota low for medical malpractice reports (11.3 per 1,000 practitioners), while separate coverage highlights the need for seat belts after fatal I-94 crashes near Jamestown where drivers were not buckled. Infectious Disease: Pine wilt disease has been tentatively confirmed in southern North Dakota, and health officials also reported the first West Nile virus case in the state. Community Health Resources: Grand Forks’ Vets in the Park event connected veterans and families with mental health, housing and employment resources. Food & Nutrition: SNAP eligibility changes are affecting thousands, including refugees and other groups, as federal rules tighten work requirements.

Public Health Policy: Measles cases are rising again nationwide, with Wisconsin among the states reporting new outbreak-linked infections as the Trump administration overhauls childhood vaccine guidance—raising concerns about appointment delays and immunity gaps. State Health & Safety: North Dakota’s Forest Service has tentatively confirmed pine wilt disease in southern counties, warning that Scotch, Austrian and Mugo pines could be at risk and urging residents to watch for rapid decline and report suspected trees. Foodborne Illness Watch: Cyclosporiasis continues to climb, with the CDC reporting 13,895 lab-confirmed cases since May 1 and FDA inspections underway in Mexico tied to the iceberg lettuce recall. Healthcare Leadership: Altru Health System named Heather Strandell as COO, overseeing inpatient and outpatient operations. Rural Health Coverage: Federal changes to SNAP eligibility are affecting refugees and other lawfully present groups in North Dakota, with stricter work-hour rules for some adults. Local Health-Adjacent News: First Community Credit Union launched a foundation focused on community enrichment, education, and health and stability. Road Safety: Two separate I-94 crashes near Jamestown left a driver dead after a SUV hit a semi, with investigators citing seatbelt use.

Kratom Crisis & Special Session: North Dakota lawmakers are weighing draft bills for a Sept. 2 special session, including proposals to restrict kratom and related chemicals after Gov. Kelly Armstrong linked the unregulated market to overdoses and deaths; a panel will also consider other topics like data center limits and a fix for the stalled Military Gallery project. State Health Leadership: Gov. Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson as commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, replacing interim Commissioner Pat Traynor. Foodborne Illness Watch: The CDC reports cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to 13,895 confirmed nationwide, tied largely to a Taylor Farms Mexico iceberg lettuce recall, while the FDA is sending inspectors to Mexico. Local Health Systems: Altru Health System named Heather Strandell as COO, overseeing inpatient and outpatient operations. Heart Care Recognition: Eight south-central North Dakota hospitals earned American Heart Association honors for heart disease and stroke care. Rural Health Access: North Dakota opened funding opportunities aimed at improving rural non-emergency medical transportation. Public Safety: Two separate I-94 crashes in the Jamestown area left one man dead and another seriously injured, with investigators citing seatbelt issues. Environment & Health: Pine wilt disease is tentatively identified in southern North Dakota, and officials say there’s no effective treatment.

West Nile in North Dakota: North Dakota reported its first human West Nile virus case of the season, with a Cass County resident hospitalized and officials noting positive mosquitoes in multiple counties as ground spraying begins. State Health Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services effective Aug. 29, replacing interim commissioner Pat Traynor. Behavioral Health Funding: NDHHS received a $6 million federal SAMHSA grant to expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth, and families in north central and southeastern North Dakota. Rural Care Coordination Grants: HHS opened about $1 million in federal funding for a Year 1 planning grant to improve care coordination and referrals for rural residents through the Rural Health Transformation Program. Medicaid Billing Spike: Bismarck Medicaid spending on enteral and parenteral therapy jumped 622.9% in 2024, according to federal provider spending data. SNAP Changes: North Dakota expects thousands to lose SNAP benefits under new federal eligibility rules tied to work requirements, with enrollment projected to drop about 10%. Kratom Policy Push: Armstrong said a special session should focus on kratom regulation, including concerns about youth access and synthetic products. Public Health Alert: A drug-resistant fungus, Candida auris, has been detected in North Dakota as part of a broader nationwide spread affecting dozens of states. Community & Aging: Sanford Health and partners hosted the North Dakota Senior Games in Fargo to help adults 50+ stay active through sports like swimming, pickleball, golf, and track. Healthcare System Risk: Two North Dakota families filed a lawsuit alleging newborns were switched at a Grafton hospital in 1988, discovered decades later through DNA testing.

Leadership Change at DHHS: Gov. Kelly Armstrong appointed Conner Swanson to lead the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, effective Aug. 29, replacing interim commissioner Pat Traynor. Behavioral Health Funding: HHS received a $6 million SAMHSA grant to expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth and families in north central and southeastern North Dakota. Rural Care Access: HHS opened a new funding opportunity for about $2 million to help rural organizations buy non-emergency medical transportation vehicles, aiming to reduce a major barrier to getting care. Care Coordination Planning: HHS also opened applications for a Coordinating and Connecting Care planning grant (about $1 million) to strengthen referral and care coordination across rural communities. Health Tech Pressure (National): The VA is seeking to extend its Oracle Health EHR modernization contract as deployment costs outpace available funds. Infection Alert (National): A drug-resistant Candida auris update lists North Dakota among states with confirmed cases, underscoring infection-control concerns in healthcare settings. SNAP Impact (National): North Dakota expects SNAP losses tied to expanded work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents.

Behavioral Health Funding: North Dakota Health and Human Services received a $6 million federal grant to expand community-based behavioral health services for children, youth, and families, with Minot and Jamestown regions targeted and funding running from Sept. 30, 2026 through Sept. 29, 2028. Rural Access to Care: HHS also opened about $2 million in federal funding for rural non-emergency medical transportation vehicles, aiming to remove a major barrier to getting to appointments. Kratom Policy Push: Lawmakers continued kratom hearings ahead of a Sept. 2 special session, weighing options from a full ban to restricting synthetic products tied to 7-OH, as the governor’s temporary ban remains in effect. Public Health & Safety: A nationwide salmonella recall linked to jalapeños continues to ripple through grocery shelves, including Whole Foods products, while West Nile concerns rise even as mosquito counts drop in parts of the region. Community Health Workforce: The University of Mary expanded its tuition-free academy model with 65 new scholarships annually, including nursing and other health-related pathways.

Kratom Policy Push: North Dakota lawmakers’ Kratom Working Group heard hours of testimony as Gov. Kelly Armstrong’s temporary kratom ban (effective Aug. 5) heads toward a Sept. 2 special session; bills are due Friday noon, with debate likely to focus on whether to ban all kratom versus targeting synthetic products high in 7-OH while regulating natural leaf. Rural Care Tech Debate: A KFF Health News report highlights growing skepticism about using AI to expand rural healthcare, noting limited proof it improves access or patient outcomes and concerns about how states track results. West Nile Watch: Mosquito counts are down in parts of the region, but West Nile virus activity is rising, with North Dakota reporting its first human case in Cass County and additional positive mosquito pools. Local Health System Changes: Altru’s Home Health Services will close Sept. 1, affecting 56 patients in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, with transition plans underway. Food & Benefits: Federal SNAP changes are leaving some refugees in North Dakota without benefits, raising worries about access to nutritious food for families dealing with health and resettlement needs. Workforce & Access: Sanford Health plans a primary care clinic inside Fargo South High School, aiming to improve local access while giving health sciences students hands-on experience.

Rural Access Push: North Dakota Health and Human Services is opening applications for about $2 million in grants to help rural clinics and hospitals buy accessible non-emergency medical transportation vehicles, aiming to cut one of the biggest barriers to care—getting to appointments. Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong declared a public health emergency and kratom products are now illegal to sell, possess, or use in North Dakota, with officials citing overdoses and deaths tied to kratom and potent derivatives like 7-OH. West Nile Update: ND confirmed its first human West Nile case of the year in Cass County; health officials say mosquitoes are active and urge bite prevention while pools in multiple counties have tested positive. SNAP Changes Hit Refugees: Federal SNAP restrictions tied to noncitizen eligibility are leaving refugees among thousands of North Dakotans losing benefits, raising concerns about food insecurity for families managing health and resettlement stress. Food Safety Watch: A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled Mexican jalapeños has expanded to more products and states, including North Dakota, with higher risk for young children, older adults, and immunocompromised people. Public Health Tech Debate: A national report questions whether states should spend big rural-health funds on AI tools when published proof of patient outcome benefits is limited.

Rural Health Access Funding: North Dakota HHS is opening applications for about four ~$500,000 grants to help rural hospitals and clinics buy accessible non-emergency medical transportation vehicles, aiming to remove a major barrier to care. Public Health—West Nile: NDHHS confirmed the first human West Nile virus case of the season in Cass County; officials urge mosquito bite protection while mosquitoes are active. Kratom Crackdown: North Dakota has moved to ban kratom products, with state leaders citing overdoses and deaths; local public health officials say Narcan may help in kratom-related overdose situations. Food Safety—Salmonella: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled Mexican jalapeños has expanded to grocery products and multiple retail chains, with North Dakota listed among affected states. Food Safety Oversight—Cyclosporiasis: Reporting highlights that a Mexico farm linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak reportedly wasn’t inspected for years, while FDA foreign inspection targets remain far unmet. Cattle Health—Anthrax Risk: NDSU warns cattle producers to watch for anthrax as conditions can favor spore survival and exposure. Community Health Infrastructure: Great Plains Food Bank says construction is underway on a larger Fargo distribution center, targeting a fall 2027 opening to meet growing demand.