Month: January 2011
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As debt deepens and auditors arrive, Adair County hospital CEO resigns and is apparently escorted from the building
The CEO of Westlake Regional Hospital in Columbia “resigned Monday morning and was apparently escorted out of the hospital,” reports the Adair County Community Voice. Rusty Tungate “and eight others...
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Two bills would encourage, protect whistleblowers
Two proposed bills would serve to crack down on fraudulent health care claims and make it easier for employees to blow the whistle on illegal activity. State Sen. Tom Jensen,...
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Jobs increasing in health services industry
Though Kentucky has been hit hard by the recession, certain industries, including health care, are hiring. State unemployment trends show educational and health services have grown 20.5 percent since 2001....
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Effect of new health care law on premiums debatable
Neither President Barack Obama nor Republicans who oppose him are entirely accurate about whether or not the new health care law will lower premiums. Obama insists it will, Republicans say...
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Health-related proposals target obesity, smoking; none are expected to pass this session
Though several health-related bills have been introduced in the Kentucky General Assembly, including ones that target smoking and obesity, legislators do not expect sweeping overhauls this year. “I don’t look...
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Skyrocketing prescription drug abuse is subject for examination by Kentucky’s two biggest newspapers
The uphill battle against prescription drug abuse across the state was extensively explored in Kentucky’s two largest newspapers this weekend. In their series titled “Prescription for Tragedy,” which continues today, The...
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18 percent of Kentucky nursing homes had 10 or more deficiencies in July-Sept.; 42 exceeded state average of six
State inspectors found 20 of Kentucky’s nursing homes, 18 percent of the total, had 10 or more deficiencies during the third quarter of 2010. Kentucky nursing homes have an average of...
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Lobbying on bills to require prescriptions for meds like pseudoephedrine intensifies in Kentucky and West Virginia
The lobbying battle over meds and meth is ramping up in Kentucky and West Virginia, with business interests weighing in against it in Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce issued...
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Company to pay $2 million for doctoring Medicaid documents
The company that administers Medicaid for Jefferson and 15 other counties will pay more than $2 million in damages because it falsified documents to get a bonus. AmeriHealth Mercy‘s altered...
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Wal-Mart says it will make store-brand food healthier, cut prices for fruits and vegetables to encourage consumption
Wal-Mart has announced plans to drop its prices on fruit and vegetables and offer packaged foods with lower salt, fat and sugar contents. The company’s efforts are the result of...