AGP Executive Report

Border Health & Food Prices: USDA says the U.S. will reopen one Arizona cattle crossing to Mexican feeder cattle on Aug. 24, with New Mexico ports (Santa Teresa, Columbus) next, while spending $25 million on a sterile fly dispersal facility to fight New World screwworm—aiming to protect animal health and keep meat supply steady. Public Health Alerts: A fast-moving cyclosporiasis outbreak has reached 45 states, with Ohio reporting thousands of cases as the CDC tracks lab-confirmed infections. Heat & Safety: A near-record heat wave is pushing wildfire risk and raising blackout concerns across parts of the West and central U.S., with emergency power steps in place. New Mexico Courts: The NM Supreme Court ruled prosecutors can’t use a teen’s hospital statements or related bodycam footage in the Alexee Trevizo newborn case, citing doctor-patient confidentiality. Food Assistance After Flooding: McKinley County SNAP recipients get until Aug. 10 to request replacement benefits for flood-damaged groceries. Healthy Aging Tech: UNM Health Sciences and NM Health Care Authority launched “Vive Bien/Live Well,” a free bilingual app for adults 65+ with preventive care tips and personalized plans.

ACA Coverage: KFF reports ACA Marketplace enrollment fell in most states after enhanced federal subsidies expired—New Mexico is the lone exception, using state funds to replace the lost aid. School Mental Health Funding: A court order blocks the U.S. Education Department from ending two school mental health grant programs, keeping counselor and clinician support in place while litigation continues. Healthy Aging in NM: UNM Health Sciences Center and the New Mexico Health Care Authority launched “Vive Bien/Live Well,” a free bilingual app for adults 65+ with preventive care tools and personalized plans. Flood Relief for Food: New Mexico extends SNAP replacement requests for flood-affected McKinley County households until Aug. 10. Border & Foster Care Lawsuit: NM AG Raúl Torrez sues CYFD over allegations a teen was forced to cross into Mexico alone to reunite with his mother. Court Ruling in Artesia Newborn Case: The NM Supreme Court says statements made to a doctor during emergency treatment can’t be used against Alexee Trevizo, citing physician-patient confidentiality. Maternal Health: CDC data show gestational hypertension affects 1 in 10 U.S. mothers, up sharply since 2016.

Public Health: Cyclosporiasis keeps spreading, with CDC reporting 6,707 lab-confirmed cases since May 1 and now 45 states affected—officials say the true number of illnesses may be higher as investigations continue. Health Access (NM): UNM Health Sciences Center and the New Mexico Health Care Authority launched Vive Bien/Live Well, a free bilingual healthy-aging app for adults 65+ to support independence through preventive tools. Medicare & Mental Health (Federal): A bipartisan Senate bill, the Increasing Mental Health Options Act, would speed access by removing a Medicare requirement that psychologists get physician approval in some settings. Insurance Coverage (National): A KFF analysis shows ACA Marketplace effectuated enrollment fell to 19.2 million in 2026 (down from 21.8 million), reflecting the impact of subsidy changes—New Mexico is the exception in broader reporting. Problem Gambling (NM): A statewide coalition is offering free access to the RecoverMe app for New Mexicans, using therapy and mindfulness tools for gambling recovery. Food Safety: The egg-linked Salmonella situation continues to ripple nationally, with FDA linking cases to recalled eggs.

Medicare Mental Health Access: A bipartisan Senate bill by Sen. John Kennedy and Sen. Martin Heinrich would speed up Medicare mental health care by removing a rule that requires psychologists to get physician approval in some settings—aimed at cutting delays, especially in rural areas. ACA Enrollment Shift: New Mexico is the only state seeing ACA marketplace enrollment rise (+14%) after federal premium subsidies expired, because the state replaced the lost help with its own funding; nationally, enrollment fell in 49 states. School Mental Health Funding: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Education from cutting school-based mental health grants, with states including New Mexico arguing the terminations are unlawful. Rural Health Dollars: New Mexico extended the deadline for the $47 million Rural Health Innovation Fund to Aug. 3, giving providers more time to apply for projects that expand services and strengthen rural care. Public Health Watch: CDC reports cyclosporiasis suspected cases have surged to more than 18,000 across 45 states, with most linked to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Child Welfare Overhaul: Deb Haaland renewed her promise to overhaul CYFD, citing a DOJ report and a lawsuit alleging a teen was dropped at the U.S.-Mexico border and told to cross alone.

Child Welfare Lawsuit: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued CYFD after reports the agency left a 15-year-old boy at the U.S.-Mexico border and told him to cross alone to reunite with his estranged mother, seeking a restraining order and the child’s return to New Mexico. Health Policy & Access: A KFF analysis finds Obamacare enrollment fell in 49 states after enhanced federal subsidies expired, but New Mexico is the lone exception because it used state funds to replace the aid. Medical Malpractice Reform: New Mexico earned an American Tort Reform “Trailblazer” designation after lawmakers passed HB 99, setting tiered punitive-damage limits and raising the bar for punitive claims in malpractice cases. Public Health & Safety: A CDC report on alpha-gal syndrome found antibody positivity in tick-heavy states is far higher than the estimated illness rate, warning that testing asymptomatic people can mislead. Livestock & Disease Control: USDA confirmed phased reopening of southern cattle ports starting Aug. 24, with Santa Teresa and Columbus, N.M. next, contingent on New World screwworm safeguards and inspections. Local Governance: Doña Ana County’s Project Jupiter meeting turned chaotic, with arrests after developers missed reporting deadlines on local hiring and workforce details.

Child Welfare Lawsuit: New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued CYFD after reports the agency left a 15-year-old at the U.S.-Mexico border and told him to cross alone to reunite with his estranged mother, alleging violations of constitutional rights and seeking a restraining order. Open Meetings Fight: Las Cruces voted to repeal parts of its code that created select and policy review committees after a watchdog accused the city of secret policymaking and Open Meetings Act violations. Postpartum Care Update: Early state findings suggest New Mexico’s 2022 Medicaid postpartum expansion doubled doctor visits for new mothers, a sign officials say could help reduce pregnancy-related deaths. Primary Care Access & Rx Abandonment: A new analysis ranks New Mexico No. 1 for prescription abandonment risk, pointing to a severe primary care shortage—not drug prices—as the main driver. Border Livestock Health: USDA announced a phased reopening of southern cattle ports starting Aug. 24, with strict inspections tied to New World screwworm safeguards. Food Safety: Federal health officials continue investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to recalled eggs, with New Mexico included in FDA recall coverage. Community Health Event: Albuquerque’s Fix-It Clinic is set for Aug. 8, offering free repair help to keep broken items out of landfills.

Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order letting the Southwest Power Pool call on extra power across a 17-state region as extreme heat strains the grid, with the order set to run through Aug. 3. Food Safety: The CDC says a Salmonella outbreak tied to recalled eggs may not respond to some common antibiotics, based on sequencing results from sick patients—an urgent reminder to check recall lists and watch for symptoms. Public Health Access: A new report finds most states saw fewer people enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage after COVID-era subsidies expired, but New Mexico is the outlier with enrollment up about 14.5% year over year. Rural Care: Medical schools are expanding programs aimed at training more specialists for rural communities, where shortages leave patients without key services. Animal Health & Trade: USDA announced a phased reopening of cattle imports from Mexico starting Aug. 24, with New Mexico ports following if progress continues against New World screwworm. Local Health Support: Albuquerque-area groups held a free back-to-school health clinic offering screenings, vaccinations, and vision care to help families connect to ongoing treatment.

New World screwworm watch: USDA says the flesh-eating parasite has reached New Mexico after returning to the U.S. in June; as of July 23, APHIS confirmed 42 animal cases across Texas and one NM county, prompting renewed biosecurity and public reporting guidance. Food safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to a massive egg recall has sickened 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, including New Mexico; FDA urges shoppers to check cartons for the specific plant codes and dates and to discard or return recalled eggs. Community health access: Albuquerque-area families got free back-to-school screenings—sports physicals, vaccines, dental/vision checks, blood work, and glasses—through a clinic run by the Rotary Club of Albuquerque and Somos Unidos Foundation. Training for care: Rio Rancho students practiced mock hip replacement surgery during a health career academy, building hands-on skills for future medical work. Mental health & youth tech: A Tennessee trial over Instagram’s impact on teens is underway, with state attorneys citing internal Meta research about compulsive use and harms like depression and self-harm. Local resilience: Las Vegas adopted a 25-year urban forestry plan to use green stormwater infrastructure to reduce post-fire flooding impacts.

Broadband Access: New Mexico is kicking off rulemaking for LITAP, its ACP-like Low-Income Telecommunications Assistance Program, with enrollment starting in December and discounts up to $30 statewide (up to $70 on Tribal lands) to help families access telehealth, education, and other services. School Health: The New Mexico Department of Health is urging parents to update kids’ immunizations before school starts, pointing families to VaxView and free “Got Shots” clinics through Aug. 29. Food Safety: A major Salmonella enteritidis egg recall is expanding across multiple states, including New Mexico, tied to nearly 1.6 million cartons of eggs distributed through Kroger and Brookshire’s; officials say illnesses have been reported and consumers should check codes and return or discard affected cartons. Mosquito-Borne Risk: New Mexico confirmed two West Nile virus cases—one hospitalized in Bernalillo County and one recovering at home in Otero County—along with prevention guidance like repellent use and removing standing water. Cancer Care: New Mexico Cancer Center announced advanced estrogen receptor-targeted PET imaging for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, aiming to reduce the need for long-distance travel for specialized scans. Maternal Health Disparities: A new Maternal Mortality Review Committee report finds pregnancy-related deaths in New Mexico were concentrated in 2021, with American Indian and Alaska Native women in the hardest-hit Northwest region. Animal Health & Biosecurity: The return of New World screwworm continues to drive heightened livestock precautions, including USDA plans for phased reopening of southern cattle ports with strict inspections.

Food Safety: The FDA says a multistate Salmonella outbreak is linked to recalled eggs from Midwest Poultry Services, including stores in New Mexico; officials report 98 illnesses and 26 hospitalizations across 17 states, and consumers are urged to check brands and sell-by dates and return or throw out affected cartons. Public Health Alerts: Albuquerque issued an ozone health alert for the metro area through Sunday evening, advising people with respiratory conditions to limit outdoor activity. Infectious Disease in NM: The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed two West Nile virus cases—one hospitalized in Bernalillo County and one recovering at home in Otero County—reminding residents to use repellent and reduce standing water. Maternal Health: A new state review found pregnancy-related deaths during COVID-19 were concentrated in 2021, with American Indian women in northwestern New Mexico hit hardest. Cancer Care: New Mexico Cancer Center debuted estrogen receptor-targeted PET imaging for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, aiming to reduce the need for long travel. Community Health Support: Albuquerque’s Senior Companionship Program is short on volunteers, with a waitlist of more than 100 seniors. Animal Health & Welfare: New Mexico shelters received $2 million in state funding for renovations and new facilities, including quarantine space.

Food Safety: The FDA says a multistate Salmonella outbreak sickened 98 people in 17 states, with 26 hospitalizations, and traces it to recalled shell eggs from Midwest Poultry Services; investigators say the producer doesn’t explain every illness, so more sources may be under review. Local Health & Equity: Albuquerque’s latest unhoused count rose 8% (2,740 to 2,960), with service providers estimating closer to 5,000, as the city weighs enforcement and shelter capacity amid ongoing behavioral health needs. Public Health Threats: Federal officials widened a cyclosporiasis investigation tied to shredded iceberg lettuce, adding more states to a growing outbreak linked to Taco Bell exposure. Animal Health & Border Trade: USDA announced a phased reopening of U.S.-Mexico livestock ports next month, including Santa Teresa, to resume cattle and bison imports while screening for the New World screwworm. Reproductive Health Policy: New Mexico AG Jay Jones joined an amicus brief backing continued access to mifepristone in a Fifth Circuit case.

Food Safety: The FDA says a Salmonella outbreak tied to a recall of about 19.1 million eggs has sickened at least 98 people and hospitalized 26 across 17 states, including New Mexico; the eggs were produced by Midwest Poultry Services in Texas and sold under brands such as Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire’s, Country Morning and Cal-Maine Sunups, with sell-by/best-by dates from July 20 to Aug. 17—health officials urge people to check cartons and not eat recalled eggs. Public Health Surveillance: The CDC and FDA are widening a cyclosporiasis investigation linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell; Reuters reports New Mexico hasn’t found a link yet, even as cases rise in other states. Mosquito-Borne Disease: New Mexico reported its first 2026 West Nile virus cases: a hospitalized woman in Bernalillo County and a man in Otero County recovering at home, with officials urging mosquito bite prevention and standing-water cleanup. Local Health & Prevention: Albuquerque Public Schools is using $2.6 million in opioid settlement funds to expand counseling and substance-use prevention, including new prevention clubs and substance-free athletics. Animal Health & Border Policy: USDA announced a phased reopening of southern livestock ports after a New World screwworm shutdown, with Douglas, Arizona set to resume Aug. 24 and New Mexico ports later.

West Nile in NM: New Mexico’s first 2026 West Nile virus cases were confirmed—an Albuquerque-area woman in her 70s is hospitalized and an Otero County man in his 30s is recovering at home—prompting renewed mosquito bite prevention and yard cleanups. Food safety alert: The FDA expanded a Salmonella investigation tied to recalled eggs from Midwest Poultry Services; 98 people in 17 states are sick, including New Mexico, with 26 hospitalizations and no deaths reported so far. Outbreak watch: Health officials also continue tracking cyclosporiasis, with the CDC/FDA investigation widening to more states as New Mexico reports no confirmed links to the current multistate lettuce outbreak. Infectious disease trend: A summer uptick of COVID-19 is being reported in parts of the West and South, with CDC estimates including New Mexico—still at very low levels, but rising. Local health policy: Albuquerque Public Schools is putting $2.6 million from opioid settlement funds into counseling and student prevention programs. Wildfire/forest health: The U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico signed a new 20-year agreement to expand thinning, restoration, and wildfire risk reduction. Child welfare scrutiny: NMDOJ delivered lawmakers dozens of reform recommendations for CYFD after linking multiple child deaths to agency failures. Animal health & NM border ports: USDA outlined a phased reopening of southern cattle import ports, including steps that could later reopen New Mexico entries, tied to New World screwworm controls.

Salmonella Alert: The FDA says 98 people in 17 states have been sickened by Salmonella linked to recalled Midwest Poultry Services eggs, with 26 hospitalizations; cases span from Nov. 21, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and New Mexico is among the affected states—health officials urge shoppers to check cartons and return or discard recalled eggs. Infectious Disease Watch: New Mexico reported two West Nile Virus positives—one hospitalized in Bernalillo County and one recovering at home in Otero County—reminding residents to protect against mosquito bites. Measles Update: The U.S. hit a measles record not seen since 1991, with New Mexico among last year’s deaths; the surge is tied to low vaccination coverage and ongoing outbreaks. Mental Health for Teens: Navi, a digital wellness app co-designed with teens, launched statewide in New Mexico with free access for ages 13–18, aiming to close gaps in youth mental health support. Child Welfare Oversight: The New Mexico Department of Justice urged lawmakers to reform CYFD after linking child deaths to systemic failures, including missed removals and unstable placements. Food Assistance Impact: SNAP losses are rising in New Mexico, with thousands of residents—especially children—losing benefits since federal changes.

Food Safety: The FDA says Midwest Poultry Services is voluntarily recalling 1,589,577 dozen eggs (white shell and brown cage-free) made in Texas due to possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination. The eggs were sold at Kroger and Brookshire Grocery stores across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Mississippi, with “sell by” dates from July 20 to Aug. 17; no illnesses were reported. Public Health: New Mexico reported 5 cyclosporiasis cases in 2026, with officials linking most illnesses to recent travel and a broader Mountain West outbreak tied to contaminated produce, urging thorough washing and basic food-safety steps. Maternal Care: Native Air and LifeGuard in Roswell added a TOCO monitor for continuous in-air fetal monitoring, expanding higher-level support for high-risk pregnancies during transport. Health Care Oversight: Albuquerque’s Presbyterian Hospital had its patient food service kitchen returned to green status after a city inspection found 15 violations, including hot foods held below required temperatures. Animal Health: New World screwworm restrictions are complicating dog and cat transports from Texas shelters, adding permits and paperwork that slow rescue adoptions.

Drug Safety Alert: Santa Fe and San Miguel counties warn that powdered fentanyl may be showing up in street drugs, with a recent crash case tied to a suspected fentanyl dose instead of meth. Maternal Care Access: Native Air and LifeGuard in Roswell added a TOCO monitor for continuous in-air fetal monitoring on high-risk pregnancy transports, aiming to improve real-time care during transfers. Food Safety: FDA-linked recall: Midwest Poultry Services is pulling nearly 1.6 million dozen eggs sold in New Mexico (including Brookshire stores) over possible Salmonella Enteritidis contamination; shoppers should check carton codes and dates and not eat affected eggs. Public Health Workforce: A new campaign to recruit and retain public health workers is being tested in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Atlanta, with CDC-backed expansion planned. Court-Ordered Treatment: New Mexico courts reported early positive results from a 2025 law allowing judges to order competency restoration treatment through community programs, not just psychiatric facilities. Telecom Affordability: New Mexico’s PRC begins rulemaking for a Low-Income Internet discount program, with discounts up to $30 and up to $70 on Tribal lands. SNAP Pressure: Analysis says more than 10,000 New Mexico children lost SNAP benefits in the past year amid new federal rules and state paperwork burdens.