Author: Melissa Patrick
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Study shows uninsured rate keeps falling, preventive services are popular and rural hospitals have more uncompensated care
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The share of Kentuckians without health insurance continues to drop, and new Medicaid enrollees continue to take advantage of free preventive health services, according...
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Many Americans, including those on Obamacare plans, can’t afford their health-insurance deductibles, studies show
The United States has entered the era of high out-of-pocket medical cost as a way to keep insurance premiums low, but recent studies have found that many Americans are having...
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Beshear calls for transparency as Bevin and feds work on Medicaid changes and stakeholders prepare to meet Thursday
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Former Gov. Steve Beshear sent an open letter to Gov. Matt Bevin and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell May 9, accusing his...
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Childhood obesity rates continue to rise nationally while Ky.’s rate has leveled off, but 1/3 of kids are still overweight or obese
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Nationally, childhood obesity rates are not declining and severe obesity rates are still rising, especially among minority children. However, in Kentucky, child obesity rates...
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Three more Kentucky counties get needle exchanges; several others discussing, some debating; most are in early stages
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Harrison, Pike and Knox counties are the latest in Kentucky to approve a needle-exchange program, bringing the total number of counties to 14, and...
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Study says intravenous drug users in almost half of Kentucky’s counties are at high risk of getting hepatitis C or HIV
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A preliminary report by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified 220 counties in the United States as being most vulnerable...
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FDA to regulate e-cigs: ban sales to minors, require warning signs, require federal approval; did not address advertising issues
In a long-anticipated move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced May 5 that it is assuming regulatory authority over all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, cigars, hookah, tobacco and...
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Stanford hospital is first in Kentucky to go back to laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, to relieve the pain of childbirth
Photo: Abigail Whitehouse, Interior Journal Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital‘s Birthing Spa in Lincoln County is the first in Kentucky to offer nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, as an alternative...
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Prescription drug addiction not only comes at a personal cost to individuals, but also at an enormous cost to employers
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News With nearly one of three opioid prescriptions being abused, employers are not only subsidizing the cost of these drugs, they are also paying for...
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State and national smoke-free leaders tell Ky. advocates to focus on local smoking bans because of political climate in Frankfort
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News More Kentucky localities are likely to see efforts for smoking bans, as a statewide ban appears less likely and leading advocates are saying to...