Category: HEALTH POLICY
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Kentucky had nation’s third largest increase in 2016-18 in percentage of children under 6 without health insurance
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Over the past two years, Kentucky saw the third largest increase in the nation for the percentage of children under 6 years of age...
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Northern Ky. Health Dept. declares hepatitis A outbreak over in 4 counties it serves; statewide, it may never be considered ‘over’
Top map shows the number of cases per county since the outbreak began in August 2017. Bottom map shows number of cases in November 2019. —– Dec. 16, 2019: Story...
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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....