AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Nursing Homes Watch: CMS data spotlighted several Oklahoma facilities in Q1 2026, including Wilkins Health & Rehabilitation Community (Stephens County) as second-largest with a 4/5 rating and no fines, while Drumright Nursing Home (Creek County) landed second-largest but with a 1/5 rating and multiple fines/penalties. Local Care Quality: Grace Skilled and Nursing Therapy Norman (Cleveland County) earned a top 5/5 overall rating with no fines, and Covenant Living at Inverness (Creek County) was the only non-profit listed there, also posting a 5-star CMS rating. Cost Pressure & Access: Oklahoma’s attorney general sued to block a major aluminum smelter project, arguing it could harm Oklahoma’s cattle—an issue that matters for rural health and food systems. Health Policy & Staffing: A WalletHub study ranked Louisiana among the worst states for nurses, citing a projected 6,000 RN shortage by 2030—another reminder of the staffing strain facing healthcare nationwide. Patient Safety: Sedgwick County’s Major Crash Team investigated a three-vehicle injury crash east of Derby, with multiple people transported in serious/critical condition. Community Health: Oklahoma City’s OHCA launched an AI chatbot to help SoonerCare members navigate benefits.

Community Health Access: Community Clinic expanded its women’s health services in Siloam Springs, adding checkups, birth control/family planning, menopause and hormone support, and pregnancy care. Preventive Care: An OU Health urologic oncologist urged men to start prostate cancer screening discussions around age 45 and keep up routine screenings to catch problems early. Blood Clot Safety: Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa became Oklahoma’s first National Blood Clot Alliance VTE Center of Excellence, highlighting prevention, early treatment, and follow-up for DVT/PE. Public Health Alert: Health experts warn alpha-gal syndrome is spreading as tick bites can trigger a potentially life-threatening allergy to red meat and dairy. Food Security: The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Summer Feeding Program returns to Kay County with free meals for kids through Aug. 7. Local Care Updates: Oklahoma City reported a deadly weekend shooting victim who later died in hospital; investigators are still seeking a suspect.

Nursing Home Watch (CMS ratings): Oklahoma’s latest CMS updates show a wide spread in nursing home quality. Checotah Nursing Center (Mcintosh County) fell to a 1-star overall rating, while Rainbow Health Care Community and Rainbow Assisted (Creek County) earned 4 stars. Community Health Center (Grant County) scored 4 stars with no fines or penalties, and ELK Crossing (Stephens County) hit 5 stars with no enforcement actions. On the low end, Clinton Therapy & Living Center (Custer County) received a 1-star rating with major fines and penalties, and Brentwood Extended Care & Rehab (Muskogee County) also landed at 1 star with $97,625 in fines. Public Health Alert (supplements): Federal health officials reopened a salmonella investigation tied to imported moringa leaf powder after additional illnesses, bringing totals to 119 sick across 36 states. Child Welfare: Oklahoma will extend support for foster youth after age 18 under a new program starting July 1, with help potentially including SoonerCare coverage and stipends.

Oklahoma Medicaid Coverage: Open enrollment for Sooner Select (managed care Medicaid) ends June 12, giving about 600,000 members a last chance to switch plans via the mySoonerCare portal or helpline, with “value-added” benefits like wellness incentives and vaccine rewards. Child Health Access: A Georgetown report finds uninsured rates for kids under 6 jumped sharply from 2022 to 2024, with Oklahoma among the highest—raising concerns about delayed care and longer-term impacts. Nursing Workforce Boost: A $2 million endowed gift from the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation creates a permanent nursing scholarship at Oklahoma City University, targeting students amid ongoing nursing shortages. Foster Care Stability: Oklahoma’s new law lets eligible foster youth stay in care until age 21, including some who can opt back in if they aged out early. EMS Funding Pressure: Hennessey leaders say ambulance costs are rising and the current funding model isn’t sustainable, prompting a push to rethink long-term EMS support. Car Seat Safety: Safe Kids Oklahoma and Bethany Children’s Health Center host a car seat checkup June 4 in Marietta, offering help installing seats and discounted options for families with proof of assistance.

Rural Hospital Funding: U.S. Senate leaders backed a five-year extension of the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration, letting rural hospitals test Medicare payment models to stay financially stable and keep care close to home. Cybersecurity Access: University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute will launch a cybersecurity clinic with a $1 million Google grant, offering risk assessments and hands-on training for small manufacturers, nonprofits, and tribal businesses. Workforce & Care Quality: Agape Care Group was named a 2026 Top Workplace for Nursing by Nurse.com, citing nurse feedback on support, respect, and career growth. Prescription Safety for Students: OU’s “Professor Pill” campaign is rolling out on campus to help new students handle medications safely and avoid misuse. Health & Safety Training: Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps is offering free summer seminars on heat illness and bite/sting/itch prevention. Local Health Community: OMRF marked World MS Day with a patient art event celebrating people living with multiple sclerosis. Public Health Coverage Gap: A new report finds uninsured rates for children under 6 are rising again, with Oklahoma among states with the highest levels. Emergency Preparedness: VA and tribal partners are hosting a disability presumptive conditions event in Eufaula to help veterans and surviving spouses access benefits and health care.

Men’s Health Push in Oklahoma: Craft Body Scan is launching a June Men’s Health Month campaign with a $149 Couples Heart & Lung Scan, aiming to get more men into preventive care. Workplace Drug Testing Rules: Oklahoma’s OMMA employment amendments take effect Nov. 1, 2026, shifting how employers can act on positive marijuana tests (with limits for safety-sensitive roles), while Maine adds new procedural requirements for drug testing. Medical Marijuana Policy Shift: The federal government reclassified medical marijuana to Schedule III, which could open some federal tax benefits, but states still face a patchwork of rules. Parkinson’s Wellness on Route 66: TSET highlights Parkinson’s cyclists riding Route 66 to a Phoenix conference, underscoring exercise as a way to slow progression. Local Health & Safety: A pursuit in Pauls Valley ended with police and OHP firing on a suspect with a long gun; the suspect was taken for medical care. Maternal Health Story: A Texas mother delivered premature twins on an Oklahoma highway during a Memorial Day trip, with the babies later transferred to Oklahoma Children’s care.

Public Safety: OKC police say a DUI driver was arrested after a two-car crash in northwest Oklahoma City injured several people, including two children; another NW OKC crash left a driver expected to be taken into custody after release from the hospital. Violence Update: Bartlesville police are investigating a shooting at a shopping center that sent one person to a Tulsa-area hospital; investigators say it appears isolated. Health & Care: Tulsa Nursing Center earned a 5-star CMS rating in Q1 2026, with no fines or penalties reported. Community Health Needs: A Perkins family is fundraising for a toddler’s intensive therapies after birth complications led to cerebral palsy and related diagnoses. Policy Watch: Federal medical marijuana rescheduling is moving forward, but states are still navigating a patchwork of rules and what comes next. Wellness Tech: Fitness pros share which recovery devices they actually use and recommend, including massage guns.

Medical Marijuana Policy: The federal government’s move to reschedule medical cannabis is expected to bring tax and research benefits, but states still face a messy patchwork on what comes next for adult-use cannabis. Public Health & Safety: A 17-year-old Spurs fan in San Antonio was declared brain-dead after catastrophic head injuries during playoff celebrations, underscoring the real-world risks of large crowds and vehicle-related festivities. Oklahoma Violence Update: Oklahoma City police are searching for a suspect after a man was hospitalized following a shooting near NW 10th Street and MacArthur Blvd. Rural Hospital Access: U.S. senators pushed bipartisan legislation to extend the Rural Hospital Program, aiming to protect care in underserved areas. Breast Cancer Research: OU College of Medicine researchers report that obesity may help early breast cancer progress to invasive disease, pointing to new targets like SULF2. Marijuana Regulation in Oklahoma: Oklahoma law signed to impose harsher penalties on repeat DUI offenders adds to the state’s broader public safety push.

Rural Hospital Funding: U.S. senators backed a bipartisan move to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration for five more years, keeping Medicare payment tests alive for rural facilities in Oklahoma and across a dozen other states. CPR Access: National CPR Week kicks off June 1–7, with Heartland CPR in Oklahoma City offering free, non-certification CPR training on June 5 to help more people respond during sudden cardiac arrest. Maternal Health in a Crisis: A Texas mom delivered twin boys on an Oklahoma highway during a Memorial Day road trip after going into labor nearly two months early, sharing how quick action and staying calm helped her get both babies safely to care. Local Health Workforce: Hamilton Physician Group – Specialty Care added Umama Adil, MD, a pulmonary and critical care specialist who completed a fellowship in Oklahoma City. Community Health & Safety: Oklahoma City braces for major weekend crowds tied to Thunder Game 7 and Scissortail Park events, with parking expected to be tight. Public Safety Law: Oklahoma signed tougher penalties for repeat DUI offenders, allowing multiple DUI charges to be handled as a single felony case.

Public Safety & Health: Oklahoma City’s police Wellness Unit is expanding, with a new Cornerstone Wellness Center (12,500 sq. ft.) under renovation to give officers more private mental health care, peer support, and help for on-the-job injuries—no city tax dollars used. Maternal & Child Health: A Texas mom delivered twins on an Oklahoma highway near Lake Texoma, with the babies later transferred to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital; the story highlights how quickly prenatal emergencies can turn into urgent neonatal care needs. Workplace & Early Childhood Care: Lawmakers created an Early Childhood Task Force to study how Oklahoma delivers services for kids ages 0–5 and families, aiming to improve access and school readiness. Diabetes Care: The FDA expanded approval of inhaled insulin for kids 6+ with Type 1 diabetes (needle-free option), a major update for pediatric diabetes management. Community Health Access: Oklahoma Children’s OU Health and OKCPS are partnering to staff a pediatric behavioral health center, addressing a key gap in mental health services for children. Justice & Public Health: A Cleveland County jury sentenced Bobby Oliver Jr. to life without parole for a Valentine’s Day 2024 murder, underscoring the long-term community impact of violent crime.

Pediatric Diabetes Care: The FDA expanded inhaled insulin (Afrezza) approval for kids age 6+ with Type 1 diabetes or who need insulin for Type 2—making a needle-free option available for pediatric patients. Child Behavioral Health Access: Oklahoma Children’s OU Health and OKC Public Schools will staff a new Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center with seven teachers, supporting schooling during inpatient mental health stays (opening late 2026). Veterans’ Health Outreach: The Oklahoma City VA will host a June 6 community event to help veterans understand and enroll for PACT Act benefits, with on-site VA staff and guidance on required documents. Workforce & Training in Nursing: Carl Albert State College’s AAS Nursing Program hit a record 60 graduates for 2025–26, reflecting steady growth in Oklahoma’s pipeline of nurses. Foster Care Recruitment: Sunbeam Family Services is seeking 10 new foster parents in Oklahoma City, offering trauma-informed training and mental health support for children. Healthcare Funding & Innovation: Garner Health closed a $100M Series E to expand its digital platform aimed at helping patients find higher-performing doctors.

Early Childhood Policy: Oklahoma House Bill 1979 created an early childhood task force to review how the state governs early childhood programs, aiming to improve children’s care, health, and education outcomes. Public Health Research: University of Oklahoma researchers report obesity can change the biology of early breast cancer, helping noninvasive lesions become invasive—new findings published in The American Journal of Pathology. Health Access & Support: Oklahoma is funding the 211 hotline with $3 million to connect residents to essentials like housing, utilities, substance abuse help, and mental health services. Medicaid Spending Watch: New data show Medicaid provider payments in Moore for “Temporary National Codes (Non-Medicare)” jumped to $2.31M in 2024, up sharply from 2023. Community Health & Housing: Tulsa County’s homelessness count held nearly steady at 1,443 in the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, with a noted drop in unsheltered homelessness. Safety & Oversight: A whistleblower complaint has triggered an investigation into the Shawnee Hospital Authority’s alleged financial misconduct.

Physician Burnout Watch: A new JAMA Network Open study finds 42.9% of surveyed physicians report burnout, with “belonging” and teammate support tied to lower burnout and less intent to cut hours or leave—an Oklahoma-relevant reminder that retention starts with culture. Oklahoma Policy & Care Access: Oklahoma lawmakers passed new measures affecting transgender people, including limits on using public funds for gender transition procedures and rules tied to foster/adoption decisions based on support for a child’s gender transition. Homelessness Funding Fight: An appeal has been filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court challenging Norman voters’ approval of an $8 million bond for a permanent homeless shelter after a lower-court dismissal. Public Health Alerts: A beverage recall tied to possible Salmonella contamination includes Oklahoma among affected states, raising stakes for families and anyone with higher infection risk. Food Security in Summer: Lawton Public Schools and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma are rolling out summer feeding programs with free meals and snacks for kids across multiple sites. Tobacco Funding: A public health coalition says Oklahoma’s TSET remains protected after the legislature’s final adjournment, keeping grant funding for quitting and youth prevention on track. Community Safety: Oklahoma City reported a vacant-home fire in the southwest area that led to a roof collapse; officials said no injuries were reported.

Medicaid Access in Focus: Oklahoma Health Care Authority launched SoonerGuide, an around-the-clock AI chatbot to answer SoonerCare eligibility questions in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, aiming to cut down on long waits for help. Rural Workforce Boost: Chickasaw Nation Health will use a $6.7 million TSET Legacy Grant to create five graduate medical education programs (two residencies, three fellowships) in rural Oklahoma, adding 16 physician training positions. Pediatric Care Expansion: A pediatric therapy clinic in Okmulgee County received a $50,000 Rural Health Transformation Program grant to expand services and equipment for children with disabilities, including hearing screening tech and communication software. Health System Oversight: Southern Hills Rehabilitation Center in Tulsa County received a 2-star CMS rating for Q1 2026, with CMS citing staffing and care factors behind the score. Community Health & Safety: Oklahoma Insurance Department promoted Medicare fraud prevention week, while officials reported a statewide push to improve internet safety guardrails for children.

School Distraction Crackdown: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Oklahoma’s permanent “Bell to Bell, No Cell” law, requiring districts to block student phone use during school hours with exceptions for emergencies and documented medical needs. Breastfeeding Access: The Oklahoma Breastfeeding Resource Center launched the OK BF app in English and Spanish, offering a 24/7 hotline, telehealth visits, virtual support groups, and links to the Mother’s Milk Bank. Foster Care Pressure: Anna’s House Foundation says Oklahoma is short on foster families, with advocates urging more people to step up and start by contacting the agency. Public Health & Safety: Emergency doctors report a rise in serious ATV and golf cart injuries, often tied to missing protective gear—especially helmets. Harm Reduction Funding Uncertainty: Oklahoma’s fentanyl test strip program is in limbo after federal funding rules changed, leaving the state to figure out what comes next. Food Support: The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Summer Feeding Program returns June 1–Aug. 7 with nearly 120 sites offering free meals and snacks for kids. Online Child Safety Fight: AG Kwame Raoul joined a coalition opposing the federal KIDS Act, arguing it would weaken state authority to protect children online. Wrong-Way Crash Update: Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the wrong-way driver in the I-40 crash that killed four faces multiple felony charges and is being held on an ICE detainer.

EpiPen Access Push: A Kiefer-area beekeeper says his husband died after a sting reaction when an EpiPen wasn’t available in time—now the family is urging Oklahomans to keep epinephrine on hand. Wrong-Way Crash Charges: In Canadian County, a 27-year-old man accused of driving the wrong way on I-40 while intoxicated is booked on multiple counts, including four counts of second-degree murder and DUI causing great bodily injury, after four young people were killed. Local Care Capacity: Oklahoma City’s OU Children’s Health is building a pediatric behavioral health center, and OKCPS teachers will help students keep up with schoolwork during treatment. Policy Watch: Gov. Stitt signed Oklahoma’s permanent “Bell to Bell, No Cell” school phone ban, while advocates warn new state laws targeting transgender Oklahomans could restrict healthcare and enable abuse. Air Quality Planning: The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality opened its 2026 air monitoring plan for public comment, including new ozone sites and expanded low-cost sensor use.