Month: April 2013
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Health departments raise, or try to raise, tax rates to offset state cuts, higher benefit costs and Medicaid payment problems
Some county health departments are trying, and others may try, to increase property-tax rates to make up for Medicaid shortfalls, program cuts and the rising costs of employee benefits so...
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New website for after-school programs promotes ‘Drink Right, Move More and Snack Smart’ to fight childhood obesity
To combat the country’s childhood obesity epidemic, ChildObesity180, a new initiative from Tufts University, has launched Healthy Kids Hub, a website with resources for out-of-school-time programs, encouraging kids to develop...
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National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, a Kentucky product, seeks to make the nation face up to its problem
The second annual National Rx Drug Abuse Summit, organized by Eastern Kentucky’s Operation UNITE, called for a national commitment to combating the country’s drug-abuse problem U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-5th...
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Beshear says he will decide in four to five weeks, or July 1 at the latest, whether or not to expand Medicaid
By Al Cross Kentucky Health News This story has been updated. Gov. Steve Beshear said Monday that he will decide within the next four to five weeks, or maybe by...
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Poll shows health care costs are a burden for many Kentuckians
A recent statewide survey shows health-care costs are a burden for many Kentuckians, especially for those who are poor and don’t have insurance and put off getting care they need...
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Lawsuit alleges state health insurance exchange is unauthorized
Tea Party activist David Adams filed a lawsuit Monday challenging Gov. Steve Beshear’s legal authority to create Kentucky’s health insurance exchange without approval from the General Assembly. The governor created...
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To keep kids from getting fat, use smaller plates and portions, limit TV viewing and make sure they get 10 hours of sleep a night
Kentucky ranks high in child obesity. Parents can make sure their children maintain a healthy weight with three simple suggestions highlighted in recent studies: Serve them meals on smaller, child-size plates, pay...
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Survey shows most rural doctors in Southern Kentucky aren’t ready for electronic health records; grant will help them switch
A recent survey found that 63 percent of rural health providers in Southern Kentucky have not installed electronic health records software, so more than 280 of the small and rural...
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U of L dean says $50 billion in annual health costs could be saved if Americans just walked more
Small changes in health behavior can have a huge impact on the public’s overall health and well-being, and during National Public Health Week discussions last week, Dr. Craig Blakely, the...
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Beshear vetoes prompt-pay bill but takes several steps to address problems in Medicaid; he and Haynes say it’s working
Gov. Steve Beshear has vetoed the bill designed to make Medicaid managed-care firms pay health-care providers more quickly, but is taking administrative steps to address the issue. Beshear said he...