AGP Executive Report

Mosquito-Borne Illness: Florida dengue cases reached 425, with Manatee reporting its first local infection and Citrus joining the state count. Sarasota County also confirmed locally acquired West Nile virus; older adults face greater risk of severe illness. Health Coverage: South Florida patients and advocates warn ACA premiums are becoming unaffordable after federal subsidies expired. One Miami-Dade resident said her monthly bill rose from about $180 to more than $1,000 as open enrollment nears. Dementia Care: A federal plan announced at Broward Health shifts focus to prevention, early detection, research and family support as dementia cases are projected to nearly double by 2060. Patient Protection: A Fort Lauderdale telemedicine executive received 20 years in prison for a $46.2 million Medicare fraud scheme involving unnecessary braces and genetic tests, underscoring the need to scrutinize unsolicited medical offers. Cancer Detection: A new Florida partnership will bring a study of an investigational blood-based breast cancer test to communities through mobile mammography sites. Mass Shooting: Twelve people, including six minors, were injured near Florida A&M’s stadium during homecoming; one victim remained in critical condition.

FAMU Shooting: A 15-year-old has been arrested after gunfire near Florida A&M’s homecoming game injured 12 people, including six minors. Five victims have left the hospital; one remained in critical condition. Mosquito-Borne Illness: Florida’s locally acquired dengue cases have reached 425, with new October infections reported near Orlando. Researchers are testing AI tools to help detect outbreaks faster. Food Safety: A recall of Miyoko’s Creamery plant-based butter includes products sold in Florida over concerns about mold, yeast and E. coli. Customers should not eat it and can return it for a refund. Healthcare Access: BayCare plans to pilot robotic blood-draw technology, which would make it the first Florida health system to test the approach. Florida patients are also raising concerns about steep bills from freestanding emergency rooms after routine visits.

Tallahassee Shooting: A 15-year-old has been arrested and faces 11 attempted-murder counts after 12 people, including six juveniles, were injured near Florida A&M’s stadium. One victim remains in critical condition. Dengue Watch: Florida has reported 425 locally acquired dengue cases, with October infections in the Orlando area and Seminole County issuing its first advisory. Vaccine Policy: Physicians are challenging Florida’s push to remove four school vaccine requirements as warnings grow that the state could face its worst measles outbreak in nearly 50 years. Health Services: FSU is developing a statewide data system to improve mental health care, while Hillsborough County has launched what’s described as the nation’s first blood-drone delivery service.

Tallahassee Shooting: Twelve people, including six children, were injured near Florida A&M after a homecoming game. Five have been released from hospital; six remain hospitalized, one in critical condition. Dengue Watch: Florida has topped 400 locally acquired dengue cases, with reports putting the total at 425 as infections spread into October. Rural Care: Florida secured $193.7 million in federal funding to upgrade rural health care and reduce travel times for patients. Vaccine Rules: Physicians are challenging Florida’s move to roll back school vaccine requirements as hospitals and doctors prepare for possible changes.

Tallahassee Shooting: Twelve people, including six juveniles, were injured near Florida A&M University’s Bragg Stadium Saturday night. Police say a fight preceded the gunfire; the investigation is ongoing. Dengue Watch: Florida has reported more than 400 locally acquired dengue cases this year, with new infections in the Orlando area and Seminole County issuing its first advisory. Hillsborough County has also extended its dengue emergency. Vaccine Rules: Florida hospitals and doctors are preparing for possible changes to school vaccine requirements, which physicians are challenging. The state is also facing warnings of a potential measles surge. Care Access: Florida secured $193.7 million in federal support for rural health care, aimed at improving services and cutting travel times. A separate $275 million initiative announced in Florida will train nursing-home nurses. Medicare Fraud: A Fort Lauderdale telemedicine company owner was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a $46 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Breast Cancer: Tampa’s Making Strides walk drew 30,000 people and raised more than $1 million for cancer research. Disease Watch: Florida has topped 400 dengue cases, its highest count of locally acquired cases in a century; Manatee County confirmed a case and Hillsborough extended its dengue emergency. Florida could also face its worst measles epidemic in nearly 50 years. Vaccines: Physicians are challenging the state’s effort to remove four school vaccine requirements. Care Access: Rising costs are pushing some people to skip medicines and doctor visits, while Florida secured $193.7 million in federal funding to bolster rural health care and cut travel times. Health Workforce: A $275 million nursing-home nurse training initiative was announced at a Florida rally. Medicare Fraud: A Fort Lauderdale telemedicine company owner was sentenced to 20 years in prison for a $46.2 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Flu Watch: U.S. flu hospitalizations are at their highest for this point in the season since 2010, the CDC says. Adults 65 and older and children under 5 have the highest rates. Care Costs: Rising healthcare costs are pushing some people to skip medicine and doctor visits. Medicare and ACA shoppers also face higher premiums and coverage changes. Mosquito-Borne Illness: Manatee County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case as Florida’s reported total topped 400; Sarasota County issued a West Nile advisory. Vaccine Policy: Florida doctors and hospitals are preparing for possible changes to school vaccine rules as physicians challenge the state’s rollback. Rural Access: Florida secured $193.7 million in federal support for rural healthcare improvements aimed at reducing travel times. Cape Coral also approved a $31 million deal for a new HCA hospital.

Mosquito-Borne Disease: Florida has surpassed 400 locally acquired dengue cases this year, with Manatee County confirming its first. Health officials urge residents to prevent mosquito bites as cases rise. Water Safety: Health alerts warn of toxic blue-green algae in Lake Okeechobee and red tide in Gulf County. Avoid contact with affected water; algae toxins can also harm pets and livestock. Vaccines: Florida has paused plans to remove school vaccine requirements as physicians challenge the rollback. Children’s Health: Monroe County is promoting preventive medical and dental care through Keys Kids Health Month and offering eligible children ages 1–7 free swimming lessons to help prevent drownings. Affordability: Rising medical costs are pushing people to skip care and medicine; one Florida nurse featured in a national report faced a $93,000 hospital bill after a stroke.

Mosquito-Borne Illness: Seminole County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case near Orlando and issued its first mosquito-borne illness advisory of 2026. Tampa Bay’s dengue problems also continue. Vaccine Policy: Physicians are challenging Florida’s plan to drop four school vaccine requirements, warning the rollback could weaken protections. Drug Safety: The FDA warned that counterfeit eye drops found in Florida and Georgia tested positive for bacteria; one contained staph. Mental Health: FSU is developing a statewide data system to improve mental-health care coordination, while USF researchers are testing an AI-powered mosquito trap to speed disease detection. Fentanyl: Gov. Ron DeSantis says deaths have fallen nearly 60% since 2023, but state data cannot show what caused the decline. Health Coverage: ACA open enrollment for 2027 begins Nov. 1 in most states. Rising premiums and new identity checks could complicate sign-ups.

Vaccine Rules: Florida physicians are asking an administrative court to stop the state from dropping four school and daycare vaccine requirements, arguing officials failed to follow rulemaking procedures. Alzheimer’s Care: Federal officials unveiled a revised national dementia plan at Broward Health in Fort Lauderdale, emphasizing prevention, earlier diagnosis, research and family support. Food Safety: A recalled Virginia oyster product linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak has sickened 27 people and hospitalized five; Florida is among the 12 affected states. Mosquito-Borne Disease: Florida’s dengue total has reached 368 cases, with 72 local cases reported in one week; Citrus County has also warned of two locally acquired infections. Child Safety: Florida recorded 140 child drowning deaths in 2025, a record, and 82 more have been reported so far this year. Opioid Crisis: A new state report says fentanyl deaths in Florida have fallen nearly 60% since 2023.

Dengue Watch: Seminole County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case as Florida’s 2026 total reached 368, including 72 new local cases in one week; Citrus County has also reported cases. School Vaccines: Physicians are challenging Florida’s push to drop four school vaccine requirements, with a separate challenge to proposed changes now in administrative court. HIV Prevention: A federal funding shift is cutting outreach and testing in Florida. One Tampa Bay group says it lost $445,000 after its program tested 600 people and identified 10 previously undiagnosed cases. Food Safety: Five Central Florida eateries were temporarily shut after inspections found violations including rodent droppings and roaches. Fentanyl: Florida reports fentanyl deaths have fallen nearly 60% since 2023.

Maternal Health: Simply Healthcare and the Preeclampsia Foundation are teaming up to help Florida mothers spot dangerous pregnancy complications; nearly 1 in 10 state births involves high blood pressure, while few expectant and new mothers recognize all warning signs. Dengue Watch: Seminole County confirmed a locally acquired dengue case, and Pinellas is using helicopters to support mosquito-control efforts as Florida faces growing concern over mosquito-borne illness. Mental Health: FSU is developing a statewide data system to improve mental health care in Florida. Drug Deaths: A new state report says drug deaths are falling; separate state figures show fentanyl-caused deaths down nearly 60% since 2023. Vaccine Policy: Florida’s proposed changes to school and daycare vaccine requirements are being challenged in administrative court, while Catholic schools and state officials dispute whether schools must grant religious exemptions. Birth Options: A new report links birth centers with better health outcomes and lists Florida among the states with the most centers.

Mosquito-Borne Disease: Citrus County issued an alert after two locally acquired dengue cases. The state’s latest report counted 368 local cases through Oct. 10, mostly in Hillsborough and Pinellas; Citrus was not yet listed. Fentanyl: Gov. Ron DeSantis says fentanyl-related deaths have fallen nearly 60% since 2023. The state report also showed total drug-related deaths down 12%; officials credit anti-trafficking efforts. School Vaccines: Florida’s proposed changes to school and daycare vaccine requirements are being challenged in administrative court. Student Health: Broward County plans to provide free menstrual products in at least seven schools.

Dengue Watch: Florida’s outbreak has reached 368 cases, including 310 in Hillsborough and 37 in Pinellas. Pasco County is stepping up door-to-door education and mosquito spraying. Overdose Trends: Fatal fentanyl overdoses fell nearly 60% from 2023 to 2025, according to a new state report. Flu Season: An early season and a strain that may pose added risks to younger people have doctors urging Floridians to get vaccinated. Vaccine Policy: Florida’s plan to drop four school-entry vaccine requirements is facing an administrative challenge and opposition from health advocates. Coverage Access: Reports say Medicaid eligibility crackdowns have left some eligible Florida families without coverage.

Dengue Watch: Citrus County confirmed two locally acquired cases as Florida’s outbreak reached 368 cases, with 72 new cases reported in one week and Pinellas emerging as a hotspot. A U.S. Virgin Islands report also highlights how local testing can speed results from months to less than a week. Food Safety: The FDA warned of a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled Virginia oysters distributed to Florida, including Publix. Coverage & Care: Reports say Medicaid eligibility errors are leaving some qualified immigrant families without coverage. Pinellas County is also ending its agreement with Suncoast Center for sexual assault exams, raising questions about access to care. Cancer Care: A South Florida melanoma survivor credits immunotherapy with keeping his advanced cancer undetectable for a decade; doctors also urge eligible people to get screened for lung cancer, which can develop without symptoms. Florida Research: UF researchers received millions to fight HIV, while USF scientists report progress toward a malaria vaccine.

Dengue Surge: Florida’s 2026 dengue count has reached 368, with 72 new local cases in a week and Pinellas County’s tally nearly doubling. Health officials are urging continued mosquito-control efforts and precautions. Medicaid Access: Reports say administrative errors and an immigration crackdown are leaving some eligible Florida families without coverage, as Medicare open enrollment brings added scrutiny to health costs and fraud. School Vaccines: Florida’s changes to required school vaccines are drawing backlash from health advocates, while a dispute over religious exemptions puts Catholic schools’ vaccine policies and state funding in the spotlight. Autism Services: A new Winter Park center will provide specialized, play-based support for up to eight young children with autism and related developmental needs. Melanoma Risk: A Florida Atlantic University study found melanoma death rates among Florida men 65 and older were about twice those of women; a Cape Coral survivor’s story underscores the importance of timely diagnosis.