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Press release: The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation grants $25,000 to the Missouri Rural Health Association to support Rural Health leadership and mentorship program. On: August 27, 2026 The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation ("MolinaCares"), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Missouri ("Molina"), has awarded a $25,000 grant to the Missouri Rural Health Association ("MRHA") to launch the Causeway Lighthouse, a mentorship initiative connecting rural health leaders across the state. The program extends MRHA's "Causeway," a free, virtual community offering resources, case consultations, and legislative tracking. Missouri's rural communities face significant healthcare workforce challenges, with over 78% of the state's Health Professional Shortage Areas in rural areas. A 2024 MRHA assessment of healthcare professionals found widespread professional isolation, limited access to reliable resources, and gaps in communication training, along with strong interest in a shared peer network. The Causeway Lighthouse responds directly to these findings, pairing rural health leaders through structured mentorship and peer support. "Rural health leaders do their best work when they have peers to learn from and a structure to support their growth," said Heidi Lucas, executive director, Missouri Rural Health Association. "Molina's grant allows the rural health workforce a place inside the Causeway where established leaders mentor emerging ones through direct listening, hands-on onboarding, and ongoing peer support." The Causeway Lighthouse will operate as a centralized, virtual hub where rural health leaders connect for peer-to-peer mentorship and collaborative problem-solving. The MolinaCares grant funds recruitment and onboarding of emerging and established rural health leaders, one-on-one listening sessions, and mentor preparation. "Consistent mentorship and peer support strengthens the healthcare workforce, thereby improving the continuum of care," said Jay Ludlam, plan president, Molina Healthcare of Missouri. "By supporting MRHA's Causeway Lighthouse, we are creating a practical forum for leaders where the sharing of knowledge and shared challenges results in healthier outcomes for Missouri's rural communities." Interviews are underway to identify mentors for the Causeway Lighthouse community. The initiative is expected to launch in December 2026. The grant is part of Molina's Advancing Health: Powered by Local Partnerships initiative, which invests in community-based organizations that remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes.

Two healthcare companies with strong cash positions are attracting investor attention, whilst a fertility benefits provider faces challenges. Progyny holds $214.4 million in net cash, representing 14.2% of its market capitalisation. However, the company has struggled with underwhelming unit sales over the past two years and demonstrates below-average returns on capital. Trading at $27.95 per share, Progyny commands a 13.9x forward price-to-earnings ratio. Molina Healthcare maintains a net cash position of $1.22 billion, or 11.9% of market cap. The managed healthcare provider has achieved 13.7% annual revenue growth over five years, outpacing sector averages. Operating across 21 states, Molina serves low-income individuals through Medicaid, Medicare, and Marketplace programmes. Axos Financial, a digital banking and financial services company, holds $39.48 million in net cash, though this represents just 0.7% of its market capitalisation.

Kentucky kindergarten vaccination rates among lowest in nation. Posted: Aug 5, 2026 / 03:16 PM CDT Updated: Aug 5, 2026 / 03:16 PM CDT * Kentucky ranked fifth lowest nationally for kindergarten vaccination rates during the previous school year. * Measles cases nationwide reached a 35-year high throughout the first seven months of 2026. * Community organizations offered free medical services and supplies to help families prepare for school. KENTUCKY (FOX 56) - As Kentucky students return to classrooms, health officials are raising concerns about the state's kindergarten vaccination rates, which rank among the lowest in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's SchoolVaxView survey, Kentucky ranked fifth lowest in the country for kindergarten vaccination rates during the last school year. About 86% of Kentucky kindergarteners were up to date on required vaccines, compared with the national average of 91%. Dr. Stanton said maintaining high vaccination rates is important not only for individual students but for the broader community. "There are a lot of things that were very bad a century ago that we have gotten rid of, or almost completely eradicated, because of vaccinations," Stanton said. "As a health care professional, we don't want to see a return to these times where there's such high risk on things we can prevent." Health experts say vaccinations help protect people who cannot receive vaccines or who may not develop a strong immune response after vaccination. "Herd immunity is incredibly important because some people simply can't get the vaccinations and others don't respond or don't build an appropriate immune response to that vaccination," Dr. Stanton said. "So we're protecting them." Latest KENTUCKY news: He says herd immunity is also important when it comes to measles, given how contagious the virus is. He says 96% vaccination rates are needed for herd immunity. "We're already seeing a 35-year high in measles cases across this country in 2026 through the end of July had already seen as many cases as all of 2025, and those numbers are going to continue to grow," Dr. Stanton said. To help families prepare for the school year, organizations are providing resources before classes begin. Passport by Molina Healthcare hosted a back-to-school event at its One Stop Help Center in Lexington, offering families free physicals, vaccinations and dental care through a partnership with Kare. The event also provided backpacks and new shoes donated by community organizations. "It is important because we want our kids to be in the best shape to start school," said Mendez. "So vaccines, dental and medical care are an important part of getting ready for school." Despite the benefits of vaccination, Dr. Stanton said misinformation continues to contribute to vaccine hesitancy among some parents. One common concern he hears is that natural immunity is stronger than immunity from vaccines. Dr. Stanton said vaccines protect while avoiding the risks associated with contracting preventable diseases. "The challenge we're facing right now is just this simple distrust," Stanton said. "It was already existing, but it was fueled significantly by the COVID pandemic." As families complete their back-to-school preparations, Stanton encourages parents to rely on medical professionals and evidence-based sources when making health decisions. "I would strongly encourage you to talk to a pediatrician or use legitimate evidence-based sources and have those conversations, because when you make these decisions, you're making the decision for a child or a newborn that can't make decisions on their own," said Dr. Stanton.