AGP Executive Report

Cold Case Closure: New Castle County Police identified remains found in Wilmington’s Sellers Park in 2011 as Hannah Graham Kleitz, who died in 1907, using DNA review, 3D skull scanning, and facial reconstruction. Wilmington Violence: Police say three people were hospitalized after a shooting near D and Townsend Streets; a 31-year-old man, 19-year-old man, and 21-year-old woman were in stable condition. Crash Update: Delaware State Police report four people hospitalized after a multi-vehicle crash on Route 40 with entrapment. Public Health & Care: Delaware’s measles situation remains centered in one county, and the state approved 2027 marketplace health insurance rates. Cancer Community: The Phillies and Nemours Children’s Health honored young cancer warriors at Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, including a Delaware child meeting Bryce Harper. Local Wellness & Safety: Delaware State Beach Patrol lifeguards helped Sussex win the national lifesaving championship for a third straight year. Food Security: Food Bank of Delaware is among this year’s Superstars in Business award winners, recognized Oct. 29. Health Tech/Industry: Sudarshan Pharma Industries announced a 9.5% stake acquisition in Delaware-registered MedTherapy Biotech as it expands into the U.S. market.

Public Safety: Wilmington saw a Saturday night shooting near D and Townsend streets that sent three people to the hospital—ages 31, 19 and 21—reported stable, with police asking for tips. Road Injuries: A multi-vehicle crash on Route 40 with entrapment hospitalized four people; one 40-year-old is in serious condition at Christiana Hospital. Health Access in Southern Delaware: Beebe Healthcare and CAMP Rehoboth opened a new Beebe Health Suite offering HIV/STI screening, PrEP, vaccinations and care coordination, aiming to expand preventive care in a trusted community setting. Infectious Disease Watch: Delaware measles cases remain at 23, all in Kent County, with DPH urging residents to stay up to date on the two-dose MMR. Health Policy: Delaware’s Department of Insurance approved 2027 ACA marketplace rates, with average increases ranging from about 13.9% to 20.2% depending on the carrier. Community Health & Prevention: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension kick off free stormwater management seminars Sept. 16 to help reduce runoff that can harm water quality. Sports Medicine/Wellness: Sussex County’s Delaware State Beach Patrol won the U.S. Lifesaving Association national championship for a third straight year, highlighting ongoing rescue and medical response work. Local Health Philanthropy: ThinkSecureNet’s “Season of Comfort” donation drive benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware through Nov. 10.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Day: The Phillies and Nemours Children’s Health will host their 10th annual event Sunday, Sept. 6 at Citizens Bank Park, honoring young cancer patients and families with on-field tributes and special experiences. Nursing Home Oversight: Advocates are raising alarms as troubled nursing home operator Genesis HealthCare files for bankruptcy restructuring, worrying residents may not see real improvements. Delaware Public Health: Delaware measles cases remain at 23, all in Kent County, with guidance urging people to get the full two-dose MMR series. Health Coverage Costs: Delaware approved 2027 ACA marketplace health insurance rates, with insurers citing federal policy changes and the end of enhanced premium tax credits. Local Care Access: ChristianaCare’s proposed Georgetown micro-hospital faces legal and licensing pushback from Bayhealth, TidalHealth and Beebe. Community Health Services: Beebe Health Suite opened at CAMP Rehoboth to expand HIV/STI screening, PrEP, vaccinations, and care coordination. Safety & Violence: Wilmington police report multiple shootings over the weekend, including three people injured near D and Townsend streets. Stormwater & Water Quality: Sussex Conservation District and UD Extension kick off free stormwater management seminars starting Sept. 16.

ACA Coverage Costs: Delaware approved 2027 rates for the ACA marketplace, with Highmark and AmeriHealth Caritas facing double-digit increases tied to federal policy shifts and the end of enhanced premium tax credits. Public Health: Delaware measles cases remain at 23, with all confirmed infections still in Kent County; officials urge residents to get the two-dose MMR series. Trans Youth Medicaid Fight: Delaware is among states suing the Trump administration over a rule that would block federal Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Local Care Access: Beebe Health Suite opened at CAMP Rehoboth, expanding HIV/STI screening, PrEP, vaccinations, and prevention services in a trusted community setting. Hospital Competition: Three health systems are challenging ChristianaCare’s proposed Georgetown micro-hospital, raising licensing and legal concerns. Health Infrastructure: ChristianaCare marked a construction milestone for its Springfield neighborhood hospital, with an opening targeted for fall 2027. Emergency Preparedness: Delaware’s insurance commissioner approved ACA marketplace changes while Savannah opened cooling centers ahead of a heat advisory.

Local Health Access: Beebe Healthcare and CAMP Rehoboth opened a new Beebe Health Suite in downtown Rehoboth Beach, expanding HIV/STI screening, PrEP, vaccinations, and care coordination for southern Delaware. Hospital Competition: Three health systems—Bayhealth, TidalHealth, and Beebe—are challenging ChristianaCare’s proposed Georgetown “micro-hospital,” raising questions about Delaware licensing, legal authority, and ownership/operations. Health Costs: Delaware’s Department of Insurance approved 2027 ACA marketplace rates, with average increases ranging from about 4% to 20% depending on the carrier and plan type, citing federal policy changes and the end of enhanced premium tax credits. Public Health: Delaware measles cases remain at 23, all in Kent County, with most cases among people not fully vaccinated; officials reiterate MMR effectiveness and the need for a second dose if only one was received. Disability Rights: Gov. Lamont urged the Trump administration not to retreat from federal disability law protections, warning that changes could affect community-based care. Policy Fight Over Youth Care: 21 states, including Delaware, sued the federal government over a rule that would bar federal Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for transgender youth. Community Safety: A K-9 officer, FiasKo, helped New Castle County police find a missing 6-year-old boy in Brandywine Creek State Park, leading searchers to him near a pond.

Transgender Medicaid lawsuit: Twenty-one states (including Delaware) and D.C. sued HHS over a rule that would block federal Medicaid funding for youth gender-affirming care, arguing Congress left coverage choices to states and that the Oct. 13 change targets transgender kids. Health coverage costs: Delaware released approved ACA Marketplace rates for 2027, with insurers citing federal policy shifts and the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits as drivers of higher costs. Juror mental health: A high-profile Delaware County murder trial tied to Lindsay Clancy spotlights a growing push to support jurors after traumatic cases, including counseling resources. Local EMS planning: Five Delaware County municipalities moved toward creating an EMS authority expected to be operational in 2027, aiming to stabilize advanced life support after provider changes. Privacy law: Gov. Matt Meyer signed a Delaware sensitive-data privacy bill restricting how companies can sell or process health-related and other sensitive information without clear purpose and consent. Hospital competition: Delaware health systems are pushing back on ChristianaCare’s proposed downstate campus plan, arguing licensing and ownership issues.

Immigration Protections: Gov. Matt Meyer signed three Delaware bills in Milford aimed at limiting state and local involvement in civil immigration enforcement and strengthening safeguards for immigrants, including restrictions on civil arrests at certain state facilities and limits on cooperation with federal civil immigration actions at child-serving sites, colleges, houses of worship, and healthcare facilities. Hospital Oversight: TidalHealth asked Delaware’s health boards to delay ChristianaCare’s proposed Georgetown campus micro-hospital, arguing it may not meet Delaware’s micro-hospital definition and raising licensing/ownership concerns. Public Health & Water Safety: Delaware joined a multi-state push urging the EPA to add microplastics to drinking-water monitoring rules, citing microplastics as a public health concern. Transportation Access: Delaware received a federal grant to study passenger rail expansion south of Wilmington/Newark through Kent and Sussex into Maryland, with next steps focused on feasibility and service planning. Mental Health: A Delaware piece marks National Suicide Prevention Month, highlighting elevated risk among agriculture producers and the Farm State of Mind Alliance’s work. Community Health Infrastructure: Sussex Conservation District and UD Cooperative Extension announced a Stormwater Seminar Series to help residents and professionals reduce runoff pollution.

Child Safety & Public Health: Delaware police say a K-9 helped locate a missing 6-year-old with special needs in Brandywine Creek State Park, and the child was found healthy and reunited with family. Environmental Health: Delaware joined a multi-state push urging the EPA to add microplastics to its drinking-water monitoring list, arguing residents deserve clear oversight of a growing public health concern. Health Policy & Access: Delaware is among states watching a broader legal fight over federal Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for low-income youth, with Delaware’s attorney general joining coalition challenges. Infectious Disease Watch: Delaware measles cases have climbed to 23, with all confirmed cases reported in Kent County and public health urging MMR vaccination. Local Health Systems: Delaware County communities approved a regional EMS authority to provide advanced life support, aiming to stabilize funding and staffing. Delaware Transportation & Safety: State police are investigating a fatal Lewes motorcycle crash that killed a 48-year-old Harbeson man. Substance Use & Community Recovery: State parks are planning “healing in nature” events for people in recovery, expanding programming to include veterans.

Delaware Data Privacy: Gov. Matt Meyer signed two bills that lower the Personal Data Privacy Act threshold to 10,000 consumers and expand opt-outs for automated decisions affecting areas like health care, housing, and employment. Health Campus Planning: State agencies reviewed ChristianaCare’s proposed $65.1 million Georgetown campus, including primary, specialty, behavioral health, and a neighborhood hospital with emergency and inpatient beds, with a hoped-for late-2028 opening. Food Safety Watch: Even as the cyclosporiasis season is “over,” CDC reporting shows confirmed cases still rising nationwide, with Delaware still not exempt from activity this season. Trans Youth Medicaid Fight: Multiple states, including Vermont and others, sued the Trump administration over a rule blocking Medicaid/CHIP reimbursement for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth. Public Health & Safety: Delaware State Police investigated a fatal Sept. 1 motorcycle crash near Lewes after a Kia U-turn pulled into the path of a Harley. Community Food Access: Sussex County’s G’s DElights received a $12,500 Delaware Grocery Initiative award to expand freeze-dried, locally sourced healthy snacks and reduce food waste. Local Housing: PLUS reviewed Springboard Cottage Community’s early plans for 124 affordable cottage units in Georgetown, aiming for mixed-income rentals with some subsidy support.

Food Safety: The CDC says the cyclosporiasis season is technically over, but confirmed cases are still being reported nationwide; as of Aug. 31, 18,445 infections have been logged since May 1, with 2 deaths and 990 hospitalizations. Maternal Health: Delaware hospitals must now provide written discharge plans for pregnant patients sent home before delivery after Gov. Matt Meyer signed SB 301, including aftercare instructions and confirmation of transportation. Public Health & Community Support: St. Anthony’s Community Center will unveil a new name and identity at a Sept. 10 fundraiser, reflecting its expanded services beyond seniors and Meals on Wheels. Cancer Care: Bayhealth kicks off its 21st annual Go Pink! campaign, with this year’s theme “Hope Rises” and proceeds supporting free breast health services. Environmental Permitting: Gov. Meyer signed HB 456 to streamline DNREC permitting for docks and other work on Delaware’s submerged lands and tidal waters, with clearer timelines and expanded general permits. Road Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal Sept. 1 motorcycle crash in Lewes where a Kia made a U-turn and pulled into the rider’s path, killing a 48-year-old Harbeson man.

Maternal Health Policy: Delaware lawmakers signed Senate Bill 301 requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients who come in with labor symptoms, aiming to reduce gaps in next steps, warning signs, transport, and emergency delivery options—especially for Black patients. Local EMS Funding: Sussex County approved two optional programs to strengthen volunteer fire and EMS—centralizing ambulance billing through a third-party vendor and sharing county-funded ambulance purchases—projected to save taxpayers nearly $500,000 a year. Preventive Care Access: Beebe Healthcare and CAMP Rehoboth opened a new downtown health suite offering HIV/STI screening, PrEP services, vaccinations, and care coordination. Community Health & Awareness: Bayhealth’s 21st annual Go Pink! campaign kicks off with “Hope Rises” messaging and free screening support; Delaware Ovarian Cancer Foundation volunteers continued Turn the Town Teal in Rehoboth and Lewes ahead of a Sept. 19 Wilmington 5K. Health Story Spotlight: A Delaware family is raising awareness of a rare epilepsy diagnosis after surgery helped stop their infant son’s seizures.

Maternal Care Update: Delaware signed a maternal health bill requiring hospitals to create discharge plans for pregnant patients seeking labor-symptom care, aiming to reduce gaps that hit Black patients hardest. Infectious Disease & Prevention: Beebe Healthcare and CAMP Rehoboth opened a downtown health suite offering HIV/STI screening, PrEP services, vaccinations, and care coordination. Aging & Rural Health: The Delaware Journal of Public Health highlighted Milford Wellness Village’s geriatric care model as a replicable approach for rural communities. Community Health & Access: La Red Health Center marked 25 years of expanding care in southern Delaware, rooted in its role within the Milford Wellness Village. Health Policy & Workforce: Delaware lawmakers and advocates pushed Senate Bill 23, the Housing for Every Delawarean Act, arguing stable communities depend on teachers and healthcare workers being able to live locally. Paid Leave Watch: Maryland launched employer registration for its paid family and medical leave program, with benefits up to 12 weeks starting in 2028. Opioid Enforcement: Walmart agreed to a $50 million settlement over allegations of illegally filling opioid prescriptions in Delaware federal court. Cancer Awareness: Lewes and Rehoboth went teal for ovarian cancer awareness, with reminders that symptoms can be vague and should be checked. Public Health Safety: A heat advisory hit parts of the region, warning of heat illness risks and urging hydration and caution.

Title X fight: Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined a 23-state lawsuit challenging new federal conditions that could cut off Title X family planning funding unless states drop nondiscrimination initiatives and align programs with the administration’s “ideological vision.” Maternal health support: WHYY reports on Josie’s Grace, a Newark nonprofit offering “fourth-trimester” support for pregnant and new mothers, warning it may run out of federal funding soon. Opioid accountability: Walmart agreed to pay $50 million to settle DOJ/DEA allegations that its pharmacies illegally filled thousands of invalid opioid and controlled-substance prescriptions. Workplace health ruling: Delaware Superior Court affirmed denial of workers’ compensation for a teacher’s spinal stroke, saying work stress alone wasn’t enough under the “substantial cause” standard. Mental health workforce: Delaware is part of a broader push for easier counselor licensing across state lines, as the Counseling Compact expands. Addiction treatment spotlight: Six Banyan/ Clearbrook residential treatment centers, including Banyan Delaware, were recognized in Newsweek’s 2026 rankings. GLP-1 pricing model: NexLife expanded a flat-rate compounded GLP-1 telehealth program with microdose and sublingual options.

Opioid Accountability: Walmart agreed to pay $50 million to settle DOJ/DEA allegations that its pharmacies filled thousands of invalid opioid and controlled-substance prescriptions since 2013, with claims that internal “refusal-to-fill” reports were ignored and sales goals outweighed Controlled Substances Act compliance. Family Planning Fight: Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new federal Title X family planning funding conditions, arguing they threaten contraception, cancer screenings, and other preventive care. Delaware Courtroom Update: In the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, psychiatrist Dr. Avram Mack—who testified for the prosecution—was reported to be “no longer employed” by Nemours Children’s Health after his testimony. Local Tragedy: Delaware State Police identified Hilary Brooks, 36, and Mia Brooks, 11, as the two killed in a Delmar motorcycle crash; investigators say the rider passed in a no-passing zone and struck a rollback truck turning into a driveway. Rural Health Workforce: The Delaware Rural Health Coalition announced a new cohort of Community Health Worker trainees for Kent and Sussex counties, funded by the Longwood Foundation. Water Quality Funding: DNREC is seeking proposals for its Community Water Quality Improvement Grants, with a submission deadline of Oct. 30.

Opioid Enforcement: The U.S. Justice Department and DEA announced a $50 million settlement with Walmart over allegations that its pharmacies illegally filled thousands of invalid opioid prescriptions, with claims tied to “pill mill” prescribers and internal “refusal-to-fill” warnings. Local Health & Safety: Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal Delmar motorcycle crash that killed a 36-year-old woman and an 11-year-old passenger after the bike passed in a no-passing zone and struck a rollback truck turning into a driveway. Medicaid Watch: New data show sharp local Medicaid billing increases in 2024, including Millsboro ambulance/transport claims ($174,447), Smyrna hearing services ($10,321), and Lewes coronavirus diagnostic panel claims ($2,214). Care Access & Oversight: ChristianaCare is requiring adults to show photo ID, a policy change that could affect how patients check in for services. Health Policy & Workforce: As “Workforce Pell” expands, more short-term training programs may become eligible—potentially opening new pathways into roles like medical assisting and EMT work.

Fatal crash in Delmar: Delaware State Police report a 36-year-old woman and an 11-year-old girl died Saturday after a motorcycle passed in a no-passing zone and hit a rollback truck making a left turn into a private driveway; the 19-year-old rollback driver was not hurt, and troopers are still investigating. Another deadly motorcycle crash: In Pennsylvania’s Northampton County, a rider died after losing control and colliding with another motorcycle; one man was seriously injured. Medicaid spending snapshots across Delaware: New data show Medicaid billing increases in multiple categories—Laurel pathology/lab services rose to $107 in 2024, Seaford durable medical equipment hit $3,701, New Castle pathology/labs reached $3,369, Milford pathology/labs climbed to $22,897, Magnolia ambulance/transport jumped to $27,299, and Ellendale medicine services rose 33%. Opioid enforcement update: Walmart agreed to pay $50 million to settle a DOJ case alleging unlawful opioid prescriptions, with claims tied to “pill mill” activity and missed red flags. Health system leadership: Delaware Health Information Network named Mike Lewis its chief growth officer to expand services and analytics. Local wellness support: A Milford therapy dog, Lucy, was nominated for a national First Responder Paws award.