Category: FEATURED
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Health experts say not to ‘vape’ around children, because the secondhand aerosol (it isn’t vapor) from e-cigs isn’t safe for them
Evolving research shows that electronic cigarettes’ secondhand aerosol (it’s not vapor, despite what the industry says) is not without health risk, and experts warn users to not “vape” around children,...
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OD deaths in Ky. dropped nearly 15% in 2018; officials credit many policy initiatives, but say ‘incredible challenges’ remain
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky saw a nearly 15 percent drop in drug-overdose deaths in 2018, the first decline since 2013, and almost three times the national decline...
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Opioid distribution database shows Ky. was 2nd for most legal pain pills per person between 2006-12; county-level data available
Washington Post map; click here to view the interactive version. —– Between 2006 and 2012, drug companies distributed 76 billion doses of prescription pain medicine, “enough pills to supply every adult and...
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Bevin touts Medicaid proposal, claims ‘hundreds of thousands’ in Kentucky ‘should be going to work and choose not to go to work’
Bevin spoke to reporters after his Chamber interview. (Photo by Jack Brammer, Lexington Herald-Leader) —– By Al Cross Kentucky Health News Gov. Matt Bevin gave a vigorous defense of his plan...
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State says it won’t tolerate bad treatment of independent pharmacies by pharmacy middlemen in Medicaid program
Medicaid Commissioner Carol Steckel —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky legislators were assured at a July 8 meeting that the state is committed to resolving the payment issues...
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Ky. has 59 operating syringe exchanges and six in the wait; state drug-policy director credits public-health advocates for increase
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky is lauded nationwide for its embrace of syringe exchanges to thwart the spread of HIV and hepatitis C among intravenous drug users, but...
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State health department sending nurses to jails, treatment centers, homeless shelters, other sites with hepatitis A vaccine
The state Department for Public Health has sent a team of nurses to give hepatitis A vaccinations at county jails, state probation-and-parole offices, homeless shelters, treatment centers and drug stores, the Cabinet for...
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Kentucky opens first sober-living unit in a medium-security prison anywhere, with plans to open others across the state
SOAR’s logo was designed and painted by one of the program participants. (Photo by Melissa Patrick, Kentucky Health News) —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News BURGIN, Ky. – Kentucky again...
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Plan to change how some rural hospitals are paid would hike pay to 39 in Ky., totaling $4 million a year, hospital association says
Table from Kentucky Hospital Association letter endorsing changes in the Medicare wage index. —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A Trump administration plan to change the way Medicare pays hospitals,...
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State could owe 58 hospitals ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ if Ky. Supreme Court lets stand lower-court rulings on Medicaid rates
WCPO.com photo —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News For about nine years, the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services used a formula to reimburse hospitals for Medicaid that two Kentucky...