Author: Melissa Patrick
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Nursing homes say Ky. has highest malpractice insurance costs and needs lawsuit review panels to keep providers and facilities
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The state’s nursing-home lobby is renewing its effort to get legislative insulation from lawsuits, a prospect that could improve if Republicans control the state...
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Increasing Kentucky’s cigarette tax by $1.50 a pack would decrease youth smoking, Cancer Society lobbyist writes
To decrease youth smoking in the state, the Kentucky director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is calling for an increase of $1.50 per pack of cigarettes and all...
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First day of open enrollment on federal health-insurance exchange got off to a rough start for some Kentuckians
The first day of open enrollment to sign up for health insurance on the federal health exchange, Nov. 1, got off to a rough start for some Kentuckians. Sharon Bush,...
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Friedell Committee hears focus should be on prevention programs, community strategies and community partnerships
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News FRANKFORT, Ky. – Seventy percent of the influence on our health comes from our own behaviors and the environment. So, plans to improve Kentucky’s...
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State sues failed Kentucky Health Cooperative’s former chief executive board and contractors, alleging mismanagement
By Melissa Patrick and Al Cross Kentucky Health News The former president and directors of the Kentucky Health Cooperative, created under federal health reform, are facing a lawsuit from the...
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Cost of employer-based health insurance grew more slowly after 2010 reform law, but not for single-person plans in Kentucky
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The growth in premiums and deductibles for employer-based health insurance has slowed since federal health reform was enacted, but workers probably haven’t noticed because...
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Medicaid participants can change their managed-care organization through Dec. 16; there are five to choose from
Kentuckians with Medicaid coverage can switch to a different managed-care organization though Dec. 16. Switching is voluntary and coverage with a newly chosen MCO will start Jan. 1. Kentuckians can...
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Health commissioner leaves political correctness at the door, talks about getting governor to back anti-smoking measures
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News FRANKFORT, Ky. – State health officials didn’t shy away from saying that smoking was one of Kentucky’s top health issues at a recent meeting...
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Kentuckians who qualify for tax-subsidized health plans will sign up on HealthCare.gov this year; open enrollment begins Nov. 1
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentuckians who qualify for health plans subsidized by tax credits, called Qualified Health Plans, will sign up on HealthCare.gov instead of Kynect during the...
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UK center promotes at-home test for colorectal cancer, reports on efforts to get young women vaccinated for cervical cancer
More people in Appalachian Kentucky die from colorectal cancer than in any other region of the state. A screening project of the Rural Cancer Prevention Center at the University of Kentucky is...