June 4, 2026

Seeking Input From CHWs, Doulas, Home Visitors, and Other Care Navigators to Co-Design a Digital Care Navigation Tool

The Bursky School of Public Health at WashU in partnership with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is seeking care navigators to participate in a 60-minute virtual meeting to co-design and test a digital tool that provides searchable, real-time information about clinical and non-clinical services around the state.

Participants receive a $50 stipend for the 60-minute meeting and an additional $200 to test the beta version of the app over four weeks, if desired.

When:

1. Early June: Design sessions (virtual meetings) to develop a wish list of functionalities.
2. Mid- to late-summer: Beta testing of the digital tool (if desired).

Who can participate

• Community health workers
• Doulas
• Home visitors, and
• Other care navigators assisting clients in Missouri

What participants will do:

The goal of the sessions is to answer questions such as:

• Is the concept a good idea?
• What gap does it fill?
• What healthcare resources and social services should be included in the app?
• What other functionality would you like to see included?

Click Here to Learn More

Respond with your name, role/organization, and best contact information if interested: cahsper@wustl.edu

June 4, 2026

Missouri’s Naloxone Standing Order Continues to Save Lives as Access Expands and Overdose Deaths Decline

JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today announced continued progress in the state’s fight against opioid overdoses, highlighting strong utilization of Missouri’s Naloxone Standing Order and encouraging trends showing simultaneous declines in overdose deaths.

According to the Missouri Department of Social Services, annual Medicaid claims for naloxone dispensed through the state standing order exceed 11,000 claims per year, with numbers increasing steadily each year. In 2025 alone, 11,436 Medicaid claims were processed under the standing order—a clear indicator that Missourians are increasingly accessing the lifesaving medication.

“Overdose deaths are decreasing at the same time naloxone utilization is growing. This is one tactic that is truly saving lives,” said Dr. Heidi Miller, chief medical officer with DHSS. “We have to meet people where they are at. If we can save the life, we then have the opportunity to help them find a path toward a long-term recovery.”

The updated 2026 standing order simplifies eligibility criteria, explicitly includes individuals under age 18, and allows pharmacists the option to dispense a larger quantity when clinically appropriate. It also incorporates updated instructions for rescue breathing and reinforces the importance of continued monitoring after naloxone administration, particularly critical given potent emerging opioids such as nitazenes, which may require additional doses.

“Naloxone is effective for all opioids, including newer kratom derived compounds like 7OH and MGM15,” Miller noted, underscoring the importance of broad public access to the medication.

Missourians of all ages are accessing the standing order, with more than 18,000 claims among adults ages 35–54 and over 13,000 claims among adults 55 and older since 2023. Children under 18 accounted for nearly 600 naloxone claims during the same timeframe.

The strong utilization of naloxone complements Missouri’s broader prevention strategy. Overdose deaths across the state have fallen for three consecutive years since 2023, with 2025 seeing a 23% decline in opioid deaths and a 17.4% decline in accidental drug poisonings. These reductions exceed the national rate of decline by roughly 1.5%.

Missourians can access naloxone at pharmacies statewide through the standing order, request free mailorder or pickup naloxone by finding a location at GetMissouriNaloxone.com and receive training and overdose response information through DHSS and partner organizations.

DHSS encourages all Missourians—families, educators, healthcare providers and community organizations—to keep naloxone on hand and stay informed about overdose prevention.

March 5, 2026

Help MHA Recognize #MoHospitals CHAMPIONS OF CARE!

Healthcare is powered by people. Behind every patient story is a nurse who stayed late, a housekeeper who ensured a safe space to heal, a therapist who encouraged one more step, a technician who caught something critical, a leader who removed barriers so care could happen.

Missouri’s hospitals are filled with individuals and teams whose compassion and commitment shape the health of our communities every single day.

Now it’s time to recognize them.

In celebration of National Nurses Week (May 5-12) and National Hospital Week (May 10-16), the Missouri Hospital Association is accepting nominations for the 2026 Champions of Care.

Nominate an individual or team who exemplifies excellence, compassion and dedication to patient care. Share their story and help us celebrate the difference they make.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY!

The nomination period closes Friday, March 27. The winners will be selected by a majority vote from MHA staff with nominee identities kept anonymous. Recognition of winners will occur throughout May in the following ways:

• Special feature in MHA newsletters, website and social media,
• Personalized certificate of appreciation, and
• A Champions of Care celebration package, courtesy of MHA

Click Here to Nominate Your Champion Today

March 3, 2026

HRSA Requests Feedback on 340B Rebate Model Pilot, Comment by April 20

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issue a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit stakeholder input regarding the potential use of rebates to effectuate the ceiling price under the 340B Program, including the standards and procedures that should govern the approval of manufacturer rebate plans and the impacts on all stakeholders.

This RFI seeks comments on whether HRSA should implement a rebate model under the 340B Program and how best to operationalize any such rebate framework for stakeholders. The information collected through this RFI will assist HRSA in evaluating the operational, financial, and drug access for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders across the drug supply chain.

To provide stakeholders additional time to submit meaningful comments for HRSA’s review in evaluating operational, financial, and potential impacts on access to drugs for patients under a rebate model, HRSA has extended the comment period from 30 days to 60 days. Feedback on the RFI is due no later than April 20, 2026.

In addition, in compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects of the Paperwork Reduction Act, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of the Information Collection Request (ICR), related to a potential 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program.

Comments on this ICR should be received no later than April 27, 2026.

Click Here to Learn More and Comment on 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program,- April 20 deadline

Click Here to Learn More and Comment on Agency Information Collection Activities, April 27 deadline

January 27, 2026

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Recall Alert

Abbott has initiated a medical device correction for certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and Free

Style Libre 3 Plus sensors in the United States after internal testing determined that some sensors may provide incorrect low glucose readings.

If undetected, incorrect low glucose readings over an extended period may lead to incorrect treatment decisions for people living with diabetes, such as excessive carbohydrate intake or skipping or delaying insulin doses. These decisions may pose serious health risks, including potential injury or death, or other less serious complications.

Abbott has identified and resolved the cause of the issue, which relates to one production line among several that make Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors to fulfill replacement and new orders and does not expect significant supply disruptions.

This action involves approximately 3 million Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors in the U.S. from that production line, about half of which are estimated to have expired or been used. Globally, Abbott has received reports of 736 severe events (57 in the U.S.) and seven deaths (none in the U.S.) potentially associated with this issue.

Important Instructions for People Using Libre 3 or Libre 3 Plus Sensors:

• Consumers should visit https://www.freestylecheck.com/us-en/home.html to confirm whether their sensor is potentially affected by this medical device correction.
  • Abbott will replace any potentially affected sensors at no charge.
  • Detailed instructions on how to check sensors and request a replacement are available on https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer
• If consumers are currently wearing or have a sensor that has been confirmed as potentially impacted on https://www.freestylecheck.com/us-en/home.html or by a customer service representative, they should immediately discontinue use and dispose of it.
• Consumers should use a blood glucose meter or the built-in meter in the FreeStyle Libre 3 reader to make treatment decisions when sensor readings don’t match symptoms or expectations.
• To learn more or get help with questions, visit https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer or call Abbott’s customer service at 1-833-815-4273, available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • Agents are available 24/7 through live chat at https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/support/contact-us.html.
• FreeStyle Libre 3 readers and mobile apps are not impacted.
• Additionally, no other Libre products (FreeStyle Libre 14 day, FreeStyle Libre 2, FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus, or Libre Pro sensors) or Abbott biowearables are impacted.

Abbott is issuing this medical device correction in other affected countries where Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors are distributed.

Consumers in other countries can also visit https://www.freestylecheck.com/us-en/home.html for more information.

January 14, 2026

Missouri Nurses Association Expands Membership to Licensed Practical Nurses in Historic First

In a historic milestone marking the first membership expansion in its more than 100-year history, the Missouri Nurses Association, (MONA) announced that it will begin welcoming Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) as members effective January 1, 2026.

Founded over a century ago, MONA has long served as the professional voice for nursing in Missouri, advocating for nurses, patients, and the nursing profession at the state level. This expansion reflects MONA’s commitment to strengthening nursing advocacy by bringing nurses across roles and practice settings together under a unified voice.

“Advocacy is strongest when nurses stand together,” said Jill Kliethermes, Executive Director of the Missouri Nurses Association. “Licensed Practical Nurses play a vital role in healthcare delivery across Missouri, and welcoming LPNs into MONA strengthens our collective voice as we advocate for policies that impact nurses and the patients they serve.”

As LPN members, participants will have access to state-level advocacy and engagement opportunities, select educational programs and events, and member savings and benefits offered through MONA. While LPN membership does not include American Nurses Association (ANA) membership benefits currently, the expansion ensures that LPN perspectives are represented in conversations affecting nursing practice, workforce issues, and healthcare policy in Missouri.

The decision comes at a time when healthcare systems nationwide are navigating workforce challenges and evolving care models. MONA’s leadership emphasized that expanding membership reflects both the realities of modern nursing and the organization’s mission to advance the profession through inclusion, advocacy, and collaboration.

“This is an important evolution for MONA,” Kliethermes added. “For more than 100 years, we have adapted to meet the needs of nurses and patients. Welcoming LPNs as members reinforces our commitment to representing nursing as a profession and ensuring that nurses’ voices are heard at the Capitol.”

Annual Dues: $72 per year

Click Here to learn More and Join