Memphis health brief: Flu trends ease, maternal care support, and insurance reform proposals
Memphis, TN – February 27, 2026 – Flu-like illness is easing in Shelby County as Regional One highlights maternal support and lawmakers target insurer denials.
Memphis-area health leaders this week pointed to a mixed picture: seasonal illness trends appear to be improving, while health systems and policymakers continue to grapple with access, coverage, and day-to-day safety challenges inside major facilities.
Flu activity in Shelby County: moderate and trending down
The Shelby County Health Department’s influenza surveillance page shows influenza-like illness activity has been decreasing and is currently described as moderate. In the most recent weekly snapshot, 4.5% of emergency department visits were for influenza-like illness, compared with 14.9% during the same time last year.
The health department’s breakdown also shows adults ages 18 to 44 accounted for the largest share of influenza-like illness emergency visits, followed by children ages 0 to 4. County officials note the data are updated every few days during periods of high seasonal activity.
Regional One highlights maternal support tied to prenatal care
Regional One Health, one of Memphis’ largest safety-net providers, spotlighted its Maternal One Model (MOM) Program, which is designed to connect eligible expectant mothers to prenatal care along with practical supports that can affect health outcomes.
In the hospital’s description, the program helps patients navigate needs such as transportation, healthy food access, baby supplies, and other community resources alongside clinical care. Regional One said the program began in August 2024 and supported more than 150 patients in its first year, with services sometimes continuing up to a year for families with multiple needs. The hospital also said it is exploring how to sustain the program after grant funding is expected to end in June 2026.
Health insurance policy: lawmakers cite denials and cost pressure
A Memphis-based report from The Daily Memphian described Tennessee lawmakers rolling out a set of proposed bills aimed at curbing what they called unfair health insurance practices. In announcing the legislation, lawmakers pointed to rising health care costs, claim denials, and concerns about provider reimbursements.
The proposals are at an early stage, but the debate comes as many patients and clinics across the Mid-South continue to navigate prior authorizations, coverage rules, and out-of-pocket costs.
Hospital operations: police presence reported at Regional One
Separately, Action News 5 reported a heavy law-enforcement presence at Regional One Hospital on Thursday night, Feb. 26, alongside activity at a second scene in Parkway Village. Officials had not confirmed whether the scenes were connected, and the station described the situation as developing.
Sources
https://www.shelbytnhealth.com/375/Flu-Activity-in-Shelby-County
https://www.regionalonehealth.org/blog/2026/02/26/regional-one-healths-maternal-one-model-program-is-building-a-healthier-community-one-mom-at-a-time/
https://dailymemphian.com/article/60130
https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/02/27/heavy-law-enforcement-presence-surfaces-regional-one-hospital/
