AGP Executive Report

Social Media & Youth Mental Health: A U.S. teen withdrew his lawsuit against Meta over claims Instagram and other platforms are addictive and harmful to teens, closing out a closely watched “bellwether” case without a trial. Public Health Watch: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit 2,260 across 44 jurisdictions, with summer travel driving new exposures as vaccination rates lag. Food Security: New analysis says more than 10,000 New Mexico children lost federal SNAP benefits in the year after new federal rules took effect, as advocates urge Congress to delay penalties. Local Care Access: Unica Behavioral Health is launching an evening substance use disorder intensive outpatient program in Albuquerque, meeting Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Community Health Recognition: Therapeutic Justice Support Program manager Carlos Gonzales received a national treatment court hall of fame honor for his recovery work. Animal & Health Risk: USDA says New World screwworm detections have climbed to 41, including new cases near the Texas-New Mexico border.

Maternal Health & Safety: A new mother at Lovelace Women’s Hospital in Albuquerque says a fallen tree damaged her car as she tried to leave days after giving birth, raising questions about hospital liability and reimbursement. Public Health: The CDC reported cyclosporiasis cases have surged to 4,173 lab-confirmed cases across 41 states, with New Mexico listed among states not currently reporting cases. Child Development & Care Access: UNM’s Project MESA ran a free bilingual summer clinic for young children with autism, pairing family support with hands-on training for future speech-language pathologists. Healthcare Expansion: Christus St. Vincent plans to break ground on a new multi-specialty facility in Los Alamos, adding services like endoscopy, an on-site lab, pharmacy, and an infusion center. Workforce & Health Pipeline: New Mexico Workforce Solutions received $900,000 to expand apprenticeships in healthcare and other high-demand fields, aiming to connect more residents to paid training. Community Health & Prevention: Pediatric allergy specialists are urging early allergy testing as back-to-school season begins, warning that untreated allergies can worsen over time. Public Safety (Health-Adjacent): New Mexico State Police identified the remains of missing woman Jeanette Salazar in a kidnapping case; the medical examiner’s cause and manner of death are still pending.

Behavioral Health Overhaul Stalls: New Mexico lawmakers say the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act rollout is moving too slowly, with only Region 1 and Region 2 plans approved so far, leaving communities waiting on rebuilding efforts. Maternal Health Warning: A new state report finds nearly all pregnancy-related deaths in 2018–2023 were preventable, with behavioral health issues driving more than 40% of cases—pushing lawmakers to target mental health and substance use during pregnancy and postpartum. Newborn Support Push: New Mexico advocates are urging Congress to expand the NEST Initiative, which provides newborn essentials and postpartum recovery supplies; about 1,000 families in the state have already received kits. Local Care Expansion: Christus St. Vincent will break ground in Los Alamos on a new nearly 40,000-square-foot multi-specialty clinic with endoscopy, lab/pharmacy, and an infusion center for cancer care. Alzheimer’s Research: UNM researchers report early findings that low-level CO2 exposure may help clear tau before it accumulates, building on similar work in Parkinson’s. Public Health Alerts: New World screwworm has been detected in New Mexico, prompting guidance on wound care and protective steps for people and animals. Food Assistance Timing: SNAP recipients get August benefits on different dates by state, with New Mexico families among those planning around the schedule.

Maternal Health: New Mexico lawmakers heard new state data showing mental illness and substance abuse drove the majority of 74 pregnancy-related deaths from 2018–2023, with officials calling more than 97% preventable even as the pregnancy-related death rate fell sharply since the pandemic. Nursing Workforce: Lovelace Health System and Clasp launched a student loan repayment program offering up to $30,000 for qualified nursing students hired by Lovelace, aiming to ease shortages and build education-to-career pipelines. Radiation Care: UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center is using an MRI-linear accelerator to improve precision in radiation therapy, with early treatments already underway after installation. Public Health & Safety: General Mills recalled more than 730,000 Pillsbury bread rolls sold at Walmart due to possible glass fragments, including New Mexico among affected states. Animal Health: Colorado confirmed new vesicular stomatitis detections in La Plata and Archuleta counties, with quarantines in place and reporting urged for suspicious equine lesions. Air Quality: Heat plus wildfire smoke is worsening air quality across parts of the West, raising ozone and particle-related health risks. Justice & Health Systems: Bernalillo County MDC reported another inmate death in custody, with the medical examiner set to determine cause and manner.

Rural Health Funding: New Mexico’s Health Care Authority is accepting applications for a new $47 million Rural Health Innovation Fund aimed at expanding access in underserved rural, frontier and tribal areas, with projects expected to be community-led and sustainable after grant support ends. Jail Health & Safety: The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center is investigating the death of 45-year-old James Gonzales after a medical emergency led to transport to UNM Hospital, where he died two days later; the Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the cause. Medicaid Fraud: A Farmington woman, Dorothea Irving, pleaded guilty to a scheme involving a non-emergency medical transport company that submitted millions in false New Mexico Medicaid claims for trips that didn’t happen. Food Safety: The FDA says a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms was a false positive for cyclospora, but consumers are still warned not to eat implicated product as the investigation continues. Public Health Workforce: A CDC-backed campaign launched by the National Hispanic Health Foundation targets recruitment and retention to help close a nationwide public health staffing gap, including a pilot in Albuquerque. Healthcare Access Expansion: Roosevelt General Hospital in Portales is expanding with new operating rooms and added specialties like orthopedics, bariatric surgery, dermatology and cardiology.

FDA & Telehealth Peptides: The FDA’s compounding advisory committee meets July 23–24 to review whether wellness peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 can be legally compounded by specialty pharmacies, potentially reshaping the next big telehealth market. Food Safety: General Mills recalled 735,000+ Pillsbury frozen bread roll dough products due to possible glass contamination, including distribution to New Mexico; no injuries reported. Cancer Care Planning: New Mexico unveiled its Cancer Plan 2026–2031, aiming to boost screenings and improve access to prevention, treatment, and survivorship—especially in rural areas. Public Health & Animal Health: Officials are warning about the spread risk of New World screwworm and urging people not to try DIY treatments on wildlife, instead reporting suspected cases. Workplace Health Policy: New Mexico teachers are still excluded from a paid parental leave proposal for state workers, leaving many to use sick or vacation time. Community Health Reminders: A free “Talks with Docs” aging-well Q&A event is scheduled July 28 in Lubbock, focused on care planning and support resources.

Cancer Care: New Mexico unveiled its Cancer Plan 2026–2031, a five-year roadmap to cut cancer deaths by boosting screening, prevention, and access to treatment—especially for rural communities where screening rates lag. Food Safety: General Mills recalled more than 735,000 packages of Pillsbury bread roll dough after FDA flagged possible glass contamination; the affected frozen dough was distributed to foodservice accounts in multiple states including New Mexico. Public Health & Policy: New Mexico posted updated guidance for reporting and labeling products with intentionally added PFAS, laying out manufacturer requirements tied to the state’s PFAS Protection Act timeline. Health Equity at Work: Lawmakers are pushing paid parental leave for teachers, after educators say without it they must use sick time or vacation—often forcing impossible timing around childbirth. Animal Health Alert: Officials are warning about the New World screwworm’s spread and urging people to report suspected cases rather than try DIY treatments on wildlife. Community Health: Bernalillo County and city agencies stepped up bosque cleanups to reduce debris and wildfire risk during a dry season.

Wildlife Health Alert: New Mexico residents are being urged to report suspected New World screwworm or other parasite problems in deer and wildlife instead of trying DIY treatments, with officials warning that improper handling can worsen harm and delay help. Food Safety: General Mills recalled more than 735,000 packages of Pillsbury frozen bread roll dough in 19 states, including New Mexico, due to possible glass contamination—an FDA Class II recall aimed at preventing temporary or reversible health effects. PFAS Compliance: New Mexico Environment Department posted updated guidance and FAQs for manufacturers and consumers on new PFAS product reporting and labeling requirements tied to the state’s 2026 rule. Public Health Coverage: A new analysis finds New Mexico has one of the highest rates of public health insurance coverage in the U.S., underscoring how many residents rely on Medicaid/Medicare for care. Healthcare Workforce: Reporting highlights hospitals outsourcing in-person nursing to remote health workers in the Philippines, raising questions about access and quality as staffing shortages persist. Research Funding: UNM launched its NM SPARK program, selecting an inaugural cohort of faculty scholars with seed grants spanning health, AI, and other research priorities.

Food Safety: FDA says General Mills is recalling more than 700,000 Pillsbury bread rolls in 19 states, including New Mexico, due to possible glass contamination—check “better-if-used-by” dates and lot codes before baking. Local Health Governance: U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez says Hidalgo Medical Services leadership failed to answer basic questions after a May meeting; HMS leaders say they invited him to discuss concerns, setting up another public fight over patient care and staffing. Public Health Coverage: A new analysis finds public insurance covers 36.8% of Americans, with New Mexico among the highest at 51.4%, underscoring how Medicaid and Medicare shape access to care. PFAS Compliance: New Mexico Environment Department posted guidance and FAQs for manufacturers and consumers on new PFAS reporting and labeling rules tied to intentionally added PFAS. Healthcare Workforce: A report highlights hospitals outsourcing in-person nursing to remote workers in the Philippines, raising questions about care quality and staffing models. Opioid Settlement Spending: State Auditor Maestas’ office says many NM cities and counties are lagging in spending opioid settlement funds, with about half of counties reporting no spending.

Opioid Settlement Spending: A new State Auditor report says New Mexico cities and counties are moving slowly on opioid settlement dollars, with about half of counties and most municipalities reporting no spending despite high overdose burden. Public Safety on the Move: New Mexico also reclaimed the No. 1 spot for pedestrian deaths in 2025 after a mid-year dip—Albuquerque accounted for nearly half of fatalities. Election Security Pushback: New Mexico’s secretary of state defended the state’s election system after President Trump’s claims of foreign interference and vulnerable voting tech. Care Access & Costs: New data presented at a retina specialists meeting shows Medicaid reimbursement can lag Medicare in some states, raising concerns about patient access. Child Care Expansion: New Mexico is streamlining licensing and zoning barriers to help providers open more free childcare slots. Community Health Outreach: A southern New Mexico resource fair paired Medicaid and prevention info with free produce boxes. Food Safety Recall: General Mills recalled 735,000+ Pillsbury bread rolls due to possible glass contamination. Workforce & Staffing Model: Reporting highlights U.S. hospitals outsourcing some in-person nursing duties to remote health workers in the Philippines amid nurse shortages.

Childcare Access: New Mexico is pushing to expand free childcare by streamlining licensing for new centers, including an Infant Toddler Contract Slots push and a new law that lets home-based providers operate without certain local zoning fees. Animal Health & Public Safety: Counties are issuing guidance to protect people and animals from the New World screwworm after cases were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, even as officials say the regional risk is low. Food Safety: General Mills recalled more than 735,000 Pillsbury frozen bread rolls in multiple states, including New Mexico, over possible glass contamination. Veterans Care: Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández introduced a bill to reverse VA home-health reimbursement rate cuts that reduced New Mexico payments for home health aide services by nearly 20%. Community Funding: The state awarded $38 million for more than 230 local projects statewide through the GRO program, with an emphasis on measurable outcomes, including behavioral health, rural medical care, and senior services. Wildfire & Smoke: Extreme summer conditions are intensifying nationwide, with wildfire smoke affecting the eastern U.S. and more large fires burning across multiple states.

Heat Safety: New Mexico health officials are warning residents about heat illness as temperatures push past 100°F, citing 453 heat-related emergency visits since April 1 and urging hydration, shade, and quick care for confusion, fever, or vomiting. Opioid Spending Watch: A new state auditor report says most opioid settlement money sent to New Mexico local governments from 2023-2025 remains unspent, with many rural counties and some municipalities reporting zero spending as the crisis continues. Screwworm Alert: Federal officials confirm the New World screwworm has returned to the U.S., raising stakes for livestock wound care and farm biosecurity as cases spread beyond the original outbreak areas. Food Recall: General Mills is recalling about 735,840 frozen Pillsbury bread rolls in 19 states, including New Mexico, after FDA flagged a glass contamination risk. Maternal Care Costs: New billing codes starting in January could make pregnancy-related care more “à la carte,” potentially affecting what patients pay and how visits are billed. Local Care Expansion: CHRISTUS Health plans a new Los Alamos community hospital opening with emergency, surgical, imaging, lab, pharmacy, and infusion services.

Maternal Care Costs: New billing codes starting in January will shift U.S. maternity care from bundled payments to fee-for-service, raising questions about whether care improves or costs rise for patients. Heat Safety: New Mexico health officials warn that temperatures above 100 degrees are expected, with 453 heat-related emergency visits since April 1; kids, older adults, outdoor workers, and people with chronic conditions are most at risk. Tribal Health Data: Arizona adopted a policy affirming tribal sovereignty over health data, a move that could change how tribes access and control information about their communities. Food Safety: General Mills recalled more than 735,000 Pillsbury bread rolls in multiple states including New Mexico after concerns they may contain glass. Harm Reduction: Sandoval County and NMDOH warned about illicit fentanyl sold by mistake as cocaine or meth, urging naloxone, small amounts, avoiding mixing, and testing substances. PFAS Fight: New Mexico’s PFAS product labeling rule is facing a federal legal challenge seeking to pause enforcement. Local Health Services: UNM Hospital and Bernalillo County agreed to end a health services agreement at MDC, with UNMH not renewing its contract.

School Mental Health Funding Fight: Fifteen Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration to block cuts to a $1 billion school-based mental health grant program, arguing the department plans to end funding despite a court order. Detention Health Care: UNMH says it won’t renew its contract to provide medical, dental and behavioral services at Bernalillo County’s Metropolitan Detention Center, with a transition planning process now underway. Drug Prices & Antitrust: A multistate coalition announced a $29.6 million Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with consumers potentially eligible if they bought certain drugs from 2009–2019. Public Health & Safety: Albuquerque volunteers distributed pamphlets to help people experiencing homelessness manage summer heat and overdose risk, while Albuquerque Fire Rescue reported a swift-water rescue that sent one person to a local hospital. Behavioral Health Access: A report highlights rising pressure on behavioral health providers as commercial insurance coverage—especially sexual abuse liability—gets harder and more expensive to obtain. Community Health Infrastructure: Oso Internet Solutions and Adtran announced expanded fiber broadband for the Ramah Navajo Indian Reservation, aiming to support homes, schools and healthcare providers.

School Mental Health Fight: Fifteen Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration to block cuts to a $1 billion school-based mental health grant program, arguing the department plans to end funding despite a court order. Drug Pricing Accountability: Attorneys general announced a $29.6 million Glenmark settlement over alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition; New Mexico is listed among states seeking compensation for purchases made between May 2009 and Dec. 2019. New Mexico Health & Community: Albuquerque approved an ordinance supporting Eden Pharmaceuticals’ expansion, and city/county crews cleared dozens of Bosque cleanup sites to reduce wildfire hazards. Public Health Watch: USDA confirmed 37 New World screwworm infestations nationwide, with Texas driving the outbreak and New Mexico’s case listed as inactive. Care for Kids: UNM Children’s Hospital and Rainbow Ryders debuted “Hope Rising,” a balloon launching at the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Behavioral Health Insurance Pressure: A report says commercial coverage—especially sexual abuse liability insurance—is getting harder and more expensive for behavioral health providers.

School Mental Health Fight: Fifteen Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration to stop planned cuts to a $1 billion school-based mental health grant program, arguing the move violates a court order and would strip districts of funding to hire and train counselors. Radiation Compensation Push: New Mexico advocates and lawmakers are backing a proposed expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, aiming to raise payments to $150,000, widen covered cancers and eligible downwinders/atomic veterans, and extend the filing window. West Nile in NM: Mosquitoes in Bernalillo County tested positive for West Nile virus; health officials say it’s a recurring seasonal risk and urge people to watch for flu-like symptoms and protect against bites. Cyclospora Update: Cyclosporiasis cases are rising nationwide, with New Mexico reporting four so far; officials stress safe food handling and note symptoms can take up to two weeks to appear. Harmful Algal Blooms: The NM Environment Department launched an interactive harmful algal bloom advisory map for major lakes, with multiple sites under watch or warning and guidance to keep people and pets out of affected water. Animal Health Alert: New World screwworm remains a concern in the region after cases in Texas and southeastern NM, though South Dakota officials say current safeguards keep the risk low.