AGP Executive Report

Rural Health Funding Push: North Dakota HHS is rolling out $50.5 million in new Rural Health Transformation Program grants to expand access to care, strengthen the rural workforce, and boost tech use, with several deadlines as soon as July 30 (including wellness equipment for critical access hospitals and rural schools, and pharmacy dispensing kiosks). Fertility Fraud Lawsuit: A Minot fertility doctor, UND OB-GYN chair Dr. Dennis J. Lutz, is facing a civil suit alleging he used his own sperm during treatments without patient consent; the university says it is taking steps to fire him. Medicaid Overhaul Prep: HHS is preparing federally required Medicaid changes over the next two years, including work requirements for some Medicaid Expansion members starting Jan. 1, 2027. Behavioral Health + Policing Focus: The Cass County Public Safety Task Force is shifting toward measurable outcomes, naming behavioral health and crisis intervention training as top priorities. Kratom Special Session Talk: Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Republican leaders are discussing a possible special legislative session to consider banning kratom and addressing paused Military Gallery funding.

Kratom Policy Push: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is expected to call a special legislative session in early September to address kratom, with lawmakers weighing a possible ban as health officials and law enforcement warn about risks from federally unregulated products. Local Oversight Moves: Williston also adopted a resolution urging stronger state and federal regulation of kratom-labeled products, stopping short of a ban while monitoring enforceable options. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota HHS opened a new round of Rural Health Transformation Program opportunities totaling about $50.5 million, aimed at expanding access to care, strengthening the rural workforce, and supporting innovative tech across schools, hospitals, providers, pharmacies, and community groups. Measles Alert: North Dakota measles cases rose to 38, surpassing last year, with doctors urging the two-dose vaccine series as many cases involve people unvaccinated or with unknown status. Medicaid Work Requirements: North Dakota is preparing to implement federal work requirements for Medicaid Expansion starting in January, with many members expected to qualify for exclusions and the state rolling out notices and guidance. Fertility Care Lawsuit: A UND OB-GYN chair, Dr. Dennis J. Lutz, faces a civil lawsuit alleging he used his own genetic material during fertility treatments without patient consent.

Medicaid Work Rules: North Dakota HHS is preparing to start federal work requirements for Medicaid Expansion members in January, with adults ages 19–64 needing to work, train, volunteer, or enroll in education; officials say nearly half of about 23,000 members may qualify for an exclusion. Kratom Oversight: Williston became the latest North Dakota community to move on kratom concerns, adopting a resolution that doesn’t ban sales but supports stronger state and federal action to protect public health. Addiction Treatment Access: The state marked 10 years of its Substance Use Disorder Voucher program, created in 2015, saying it has approved services for 11,690 people and helped cover assessments, therapy, peer support, transportation, and medication-assisted treatment. Public Health Alerts: Sanford doctors urged families to get vaccinated as measles cases hit a 35-year high, noting school settings can speed spread; North Dakota reports cases in Cass and Grand Forks counties. Rural Care Focus: A Watford City specialist story highlights efforts to reduce overmedication and improve targeted care, while follow-up reporting in a Hungerford case points to ongoing questions about emergency transfers and access to advanced cardiac care. Patient Safety Transparency: Leapfrog says a record number of hospitals and surgery centers are now publicly rated for patient safety, with participation exceeding 80% of inpatient beds nationwide. Air Quality: Canadian wildfire smoke is settling over the Northern Plains, pushing AQI into unhealthy ranges and prompting respiratory precautions.

Rural Specialty Care: Watford City’s newest gastroenterology and hepatology specialist, Dr. Mark Brewster, is drawing attention for a more targeted approach to treatment and caution around overprescribing, tying his philosophy to personal experience with medication management. Rural Emergency Response: McKenzie Health is answering more questions tied to the June 9 death of Dennis Hungerford, with the hospital outlining how rural transfer decisions are made while declining to share internal clinical details. Public Health—Measles: Sanford Health doctors are urging North Dakota families to get children vaccinated before the school year as measles cases hit a 35-year high nationwide; local reports include cases in Cass and Grand Forks counties. Patient Safety Transparency: The Leapfrog Group says a record number of hospitals and surgery centers are now publicly rated for patient safety, with participation topping 6,000 facilities. Mental Health Access: North Dakota’s Behavioral Health Program Directory is expanding statewide access to mental health and substance use disorder support. Food Safety: North Dakota Game and Fish is warning anglers about “sandy flesh” and other fish conditions, advising against eating fish that look or smell wrong. Statewide Health Context: North Dakota jumped to No. 4 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States rankings, though healthcare remains a weaker spot in the scoring.

Daylight Saving Time & Kids’ Health: A proposal for year-round daylight saving time could leave North Dakota children waiting for buses and walking to school in the dark more often, raising safety concerns and worries about disrupted sleep and circadian rhythms, with a Fargo sleep specialist calling it a major issue for adolescent mental health. Fertility Fraud Lawsuit (Minot): A newly filed Ward County case alleges a Minot fertility doctor secretly used his own genetic material during insemination, leading to two women discovering they were biologically related to him years later after DNA testing. Mental Health for First Responders (Moorhead/Fargo area): Moorhead is seeking a $250,000 federal grant to expand counseling access for police officers across a 100-mile region in both Minnesota and North Dakota. Caregiving & Dementia (North Dakota): A North Dakota family says a rescue golden retriever is helping an Alzheimer’s patient by staying close on walks and waking her during tremors. Public Health & Environment (Lithium in water): A study measuring lithium in tap water in Tribal communities found many homes in the Dakotas above a federal screening level, adding to concerns about long-term exposure. Labor & Health Benefits (Fargo dairy): Over 100 Cass-Clay Creamery workers in Fargo voted to authorize a strike, citing demands for fair wages, health care, and protections. Crash Update (Stutsman County): The North Dakota Highway Patrol identified two men killed in a head-on crash on Highway 20; a passenger was seriously injured and taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center. Heat Risks: A heat dome is pushing triple-digit temperatures across the Plains into North Dakota, with advisories and warnings affecting tens of millions.

Reproductive Health & Patient Safety: A newly filed Ward County civil case alleges Minot fertility doctor Dennis Lutz secretly used his own genetic material during insemination, leading to two births in the mid-1980s, with the women saying they learned the truth only after recent DNA testing. Public Health & Environment: A Minnesota fish die-off is worsening, with hundreds of dead fish tied to hot water and low oxygen; North Dakota Game and Fish reports fish deaths in Richland County. Workforce & Health Benefits: More than 100 Cass-Clay Creamery workers in Fargo voted to authorize a strike, citing contract talks with Dairy Farmers of America over wages, health care, pensions, and worker protections. Injury & Emergency Response: The North Dakota Highway Patrol identified two men killed in a Stutsman County head-on crash near Courtenay; a 52-year-old passenger was seriously injured and taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center. Environmental Exposure: A study finds drinking water can be a major source of long-term lithium exposure, with many samples in Tribal communities in the Dakotas above a federal screening level. Health Policy & Access: A bipartisan U.S. Senate bill led by ND Sen. Kevin Cramer would create a “safe harbor” for insurers covering regulated cannabis businesses. Climate & Safety: A heat dome is pushing dangerous, sustained temperatures above 100°F from Texas to North Dakota, with major heat risks and high humidity expected to linger.

Heat Safety: A dangerous heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with temperatures above 100°F from Texas to North Dakota and about 70 million people facing heat advisories and extreme heat warnings—overnight lows won’t cool much, raising the risk of heat illness. Crash Updates: The North Dakota Highway Patrol identified two men killed in a Friday head-on crash on Highway 20 near Courtenay—Devin Moritz, 23, of McHenry, and Wyatt Ellingson, 54, of Edgeley. A 52-year-old passenger, Carrie Ellingson, was seriously injured and taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center; investigators say neither driver was wearing a seat belt. Nutrition Debate: North Dakota canola and sunflower industry leaders pushed back on recent national “seed oil” rhetoric, saying demand for canola and sunflower oil remains strong and that dietary experts note oils are generally safe in moderation. Community Health: Sanford highlighted drowning prevention, warning that drowning is a leading cause of death for young children and urging life jackets and close supervision around water.

Heat Safety: A dangerous heat dome is expanding across the central U.S., with forecasts pushing temperatures above 100°F from Dallas to North Dakota and keeping overnight lows high—conditions that raise the risk of heat illness, especially for people without reliable cooling. Public Health Alerts: North Dakota DEQ issued a harmful algae bloom advisory for Devils Lake, warning people and pets to avoid the water if it looks discolored, has scum, or smells bad. Infectious Disease Watch: West Nile virus has been detected in North Dakota mosquitos in Williams County, with older adults at higher risk for severe illness. Healthcare Access & Costs: A report says North Dakota’s SNAP benefit distribution error rate hit 9.89% in fiscal 2025, the highest in decades, potentially affecting future state costs. Community Care Funding: U.S. DOJ awarded $555,000 to the Community Violence Intervention Center in Grand Forks to improve accessibility and outreach for disabled and deaf victims. Local Medical Updates: Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center welcomed cardiologist Dr. Priscilla Ababio to serve the Brainerd Lakes area. Injury & Emergency Response: State Patrol identified two men killed in a deadly Stutsman County head-on crash near Courtenay; a seat-belted passenger was seriously injured and taken to Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

Extreme Heat Watch: A heat dome is keeping dangerous, humid conditions locked over the central U.S., with temperatures above 100°F stretching from Texas to North Dakota and about 70 million people under heat advisories; forecasters warn overnight lows won’t cool enough, raising the risk of heat illness—especially for people without reliable cooling. Food Safety & Water Health: North Dakota’s DEQ issued a harmful algae bloom advisory for Devils Lake, urging people and pets to avoid discolored or scummy water; separately, West Nile virus was detected in North Dakota mosquitos in Williams County, a reminder to take bite precautions. Public Health Policy: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for fiscal year 2025, the highest in nearly three decades, raising concerns about program administration and potential future costs. Local Care & Community: Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center welcomed cardiologist Dr. Priscilla Ababio, expanding specialty access for the Brainerd Lakes area. Injury Update: A deadly head-on crash on Highway 20 near Courtenay killed two drivers and sent a seat-belted passenger to Jamestown Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Extreme Heat Alert: A heat dome is pushing “hazardous” conditions across the central U.S., with temperatures above 100°F expected into Monday and major risks flagged for North Dakota and surrounding states—especially dangerous for people without cooling or proper hydration. Food Safety & Water Health: North Dakota DEQ issued a harmful algae bloom advisory for Devils Lake, warning people and pets to stay out if water looks discolored, smells bad, or has scum; separately, West Nile virus was detected in North Dakota mosquitos, raising summer mosquito-control and protection reminders. Retina Care Access: North Dakota Eye Clinic says it will start in-office retinal injections locally in September to help patients affected by Altru’s eye service closure. SNAP Administration: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% in fiscal 2025—the highest since 1997—prompting scrutiny of the state’s $162 million software system and potential future cost impacts. Public Health/Community Safety: A deadly head-on crash in Stutsman County killed two men and seriously injured a woman, underscoring ongoing road-safety concerns. Legal/Patient Safety: Two men who say they were switched at birth nearly 40 years ago are speaking out and suing the North Dakota hospital where they were born.

Cardiology Access: Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd Lakes welcomed cardiologist Dr. Priscilla Ababio, expanding local specialty care. Retina Care Continuity: North Dakota Eye Clinic says it will start in-office retinal injections in September to help patients affected by Altru Health System’s eye service closure. Public Health Watch: North Dakota reported West Nile virus detection in mosquitos in Williams County, adding to ongoing summer vector risk. Food Safety: Cyclospora concerns continue as NDSU experts urge North Dakotans to follow recalls closely; separate reporting says Mexico found lettuce and water samples from Taylor Farms negative for Cyclospora. Nutrition & Water Safety: A new study links household drinking water to long-term lithium exposure, with findings noting lithium levels in tap water across parts of the western U.S., including North Dakota/South Dakota. Health Policy & Costs: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for FY2025, the highest since 1997, raising questions about program administration and potential future costs. Local Health Infrastructure: State revolving fund loans totaling $15.2 million will support water system upgrades in multiple communities, including replacing lead service lines in Bottineau.

SNAP Watch: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% in fiscal 2025—the highest in nearly 30 years—raising concerns about a $162 million software system and potential future cost impacts as new federal rules phase in state cost-sharing. Health & Safety in Extreme Heat: With another weekend of triple-digit heat and smoky skies, officials are urging North Dakotans to limit time outdoors, protect kids and older adults, and stay hydrated to prevent heat illness and breathing problems. Water Infrastructure: The state awarded $15.2 million in revolving fund loans for water upgrades, including major work in West Fargo and lead-line replacements in Bottineau. Rehab Facility Financing: Berkadia secured equity and financing for a 50-bed inpatient rehab and long-term acute care replacement hospital in Bismarck, fully leased to Vibra. Public Health Education: Sanford is highlighting child drowning risks and prevention tips, stressing life jackets and close supervision around private pools. Food Access Boost: A new North Central Regional Grocery and Local Food Hub in Velva will use a donated facility to strengthen rural grocery supply and local food access.

Food Safety Update: Mexico’s health ministry says lettuce and water samples tied to Taylor Farms tested negative for cyclospora after inspections, even as U.S. authorities investigate a new cyclosporiasis outbreak and track a larger one linked to recalled iceberg lettuce. Rural Food Access: A former Dot’s Pretzels facility in Velva will become a North Central Regional Grocery and Local Food Hub to strengthen rural grocery supply and improve access to healthy, affordable food. Medicaid Watch: North Dakota HHS is preparing federally required Medicaid changes for Expansion members, including new work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, with exemptions for groups such as Native Americans, caregivers, people with disabilities, and pregnant individuals. Public Health Alerts: West Nile virus has been detected in Williams County mosquitoes, prompting mosquito spraying and new guidance to prevent bites. Healthcare Accountability: Two North Dakota men say DNA tests show they were switched at birth in 1988 and are suing Unity Medical Center, with the hospital disputing the claims and citing missing records. Wildfire Smoke: Sen. John Hoeven introduced a resolution urging Canada to do more to prevent and fight wildfires, citing health impacts from cross-border smoke. Community Wellness: A North Dakota State Fair vendor is offering hydration and wellness IVs to help people manage extreme heat.

Medicaid Update: North Dakota HHS is preparing federally required changes to Medicaid Expansion, including new work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027 (80 hours/month) with exemptions for groups like Native Americans, caregivers, people with disabilities, pregnant/recently pregnant individuals, and certain health conditions. SNAP Pressure: New SNAP rules tied to payment accuracy could raise costs for states, and North Dakota grocers are bracing for uncertainty as restrictions roll out. Hospital Accountability: Two North Dakota men say they were switched at birth in 1988 at Unity Medical Center in Grafton and are suing; the hospital denies wrongdoing. Public Health Alerts: West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Williams County, prompting spraying and prevention guidance. Food Safety: Cyclosporiasis cases tied to a multi-state produce outbreak have spread to 41 states, with North Dakota reporting first summer cases. Community Wellness: A North Dakota State Fair vendor is offering hydration and wellness IVs for heat season. Rural Health Focus: “Sunday Morning” highlighted a North Dakota program tackling loneliness among rural seniors through neighbor-to-neighbor connection. Health Funding: HHS awarded nearly $4.7 million to North Dakota for health and education initiatives, including Head Start and tribal diabetes and opioid response efforts. Workforce & Care Access: A rural dermatology piece argues access gaps persist when communities aren’t invested in or remembered.

Extreme Heat Watch: A heat dome is pushing dangerous weekend temperatures across the Plains, with heat index values climbing above 100°F and higher humidity raising the risk of heat illness for North Dakotans and travelers. SNAP Changes in ND: USDA approved North Dakota’s Healthy Choice Waiver, limiting SNAP purchases of items like candy, soda, and energy drinks starting Sept. 1 for two years, with possible extensions. Foodborne Parasite Update: Cyclosporiasis linked to recalled lettuce has spread to 41 states, with North Dakota reporting first cases this summer; CDC says thousands are sick and many cases are still being confirmed. Medicaid Work Requirements: ND HHS is preparing to implement federal work requirements for Medicaid Expansion adults ages 19–64 starting Jan. 1, 2027, affecting an estimated 5,000–7,000 people, with possible “medically frail” exclusions. Substance Use Treatment Access: ND HHS marked a decade of its SUD Voucher program, with 11,690 North Dakotans approved since 2015 to help remove cost barriers to treatment. Local Care Shifts: Altru Health System will close its eye-care department after July 31, prompting patients to find new providers. Chronic Pain Research Push: U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer joined a bipartisan bill to improve chronic pain research and build a centralized information hub for better non-opioid care. Public Health in Action: U.S. Air Force Reserve conducted aerial mosquito control over Watford City to reduce adult mosquitoes and lower risk of mosquito-borne illness. Medicare Milestone: Noridian is celebrating 60 years supporting Medicare administration in North Dakota and nationwide. Baby-Swap Lawsuit: Two men sued a North Dakota hospital after DNA tests allegedly showed they were switched at birth 38 years ago.

Medicaid Work Requirements: North Dakota HHS says Medicaid Expansion adults ages 19–64 will face new work, training, education or volunteering rules starting Jan. 1, 2027—80 hours a month—with 5,000 to 7,000 members expected to be affected and some possibly qualifying for a “medically frail” exclusion. Hospital Accountability: Two men who say they were switched at birth 38 years ago after DNA tests are suing Unity Medical Center in Grafton, alleging a decades-long mix-up; the hospital says it has no evidence staff caused it. Public Health Alert: Measles cases in the U.S. hit 2,260 across 44 states, with CDC pointing to summer travel as a key driver as vaccination rates decline. Mental Health Access: North Dakota and Minnesota are seeing rising 988 calls, with FirstLink reporting a major increase since the national hotline launched. Care Access in Grand Forks: Altru Health System is ending eye-care services after July 31, prompting patient concerns about finding new providers. Rural Health & Safety: A U.S. Air Force Reserve mosquito control mission sprayed adulticide over Watford City to reduce risks like West Nile virus. Medicare Administration: Noridian marked 60 years supporting Medicare claims processing and provider reimbursement. Health Rankings: Forbes says two North Dakota hospitals earned 5-star honors in its 2026 ratings.