Category: HEALTH POLICY
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Four flu-related deaths have been reported in Kentucky; state health commissioner urges everyone to get vaccinated
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The Kentucky Department of Public Health has reported the first four influenza-related deaths of the 2019-2020 flu season, which runs through May. “We extend our condolences...
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Kentucky legislators have filed four bills targeting teen use of e-cigarettes; Coalition for a Smoke-Free Tomorrow is supporting two
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As teen use of electronic cigarettes continues to surge, Kentucky lawmakers in both parties will be working to pass bills aimed at decreasing their...
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Bill would create first-aid training program for mental-health and substance-use crises; hope is to make it as common as CPR
Rep. Moser explains mental-health first aid. —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News A bill to create a training program for mental-health first aid has been pre-filed by state Rep....
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Medicaid contracts rejected by legislative committee; members of another panel see secrecy and rush to award $8 billion in deals
On Gov. Matt Bevin’s last day in office, Kentucky lawmakers in one committee voted unanimously to reject his administration’s recent approval of $8 billion in Medicaid managed-care contracts covering 1...
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Man who led implementation of Obamacare under Gov. Andy Beshear’s father will be acting health secretary, then deputy
Andy Beshear and Eric Friedlander —– By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Just hours before being sworn in as the state’s next governor, Andy Beshear named the remaining secretaries of...
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Sunday, Dec. 15, is the deadline to sign up for federally subsidized health insurance, better known as Obamacare
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Time is running out to sign up for federally subsidized health insurance for 2020. The deadline for enrollment on Healthcare.gov is Sunday, Dec. 15, and fewer...
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Ky. is 43rd in annual health rankings, with high rates of cancer deaths, smoking, physical inactivity, mental distress and more
Even though Kentucky moved up two spots in this year’s America’s Health Rankings, at 43rd, it remains one of the 10 unhealthiest states. That’s where the Bluegrass State has been since...
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Flu spreads in Kentucky as the holiday season begins; health officials’ advice: get vaccinated, and don’t shake hands
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky has seen 785 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza since the flu season started in late September, and health officials say there are many more....
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Kentucky state senator taken aback by ‘shoutfest’ in White House between electronic-cigarette interests and their foes
State Sen. Julie Raque Adams speaks in the White House Nov. 22 as President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar listen. (Image from White House video, via WDRB-TV)...
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New state Medicaid contracts drop Passport and Anthem, which say they will appeal; top Beshear aide voices concern
On its way out, the administration of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin has given five health-insurance companies new, five-year deals to manage the care of Kentuckians on Medicaid — and dropped...