The Affordable Care Act in Kentucky

Kentucky's Insurance Exchange Is Named, 'Similar to Travelocity or Expedia' Experience

Kenny Colston — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:24:13 +0000

Kentucky's new exchange for people on the market for healthcare now has a name and a website.

It'll be called Kynect—pronounced "connect." People can access it at kynect.ky.gov. A phone line will be running in August.

Kynect will be fully operational in time for October open health insurance enrollment.

Medicaid Expansion Bill Clears Indiana Senate Panel

Rick Howlett and Associated Press — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 22:26:15 +0000

The Indiana Senate Public Health Committee is advancing a proposal to expand Medicaid using the state's health savings account plan.

The panel voted 9-3 today to request that the federal government allow Indiana to use its Healthy Indiana Plan to cover the roughly 400,000 residents who would qualify under an expansion.

The measure, which has the backing of Gov. Mike Pence, now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee. A similar proposal has been introduced in the House.

Kentucky Health Co-Op Not in Danger After Fiscal Cliff Cuts

Kenny Colston — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 20:12:37 +0000

One lesser-known aspect of the Affordable Care Act is it’s reliance on state health cooperatives — which work separate of the state- or federally run health exchange, but are free to offer their own brand of insurance on the exchange.

But recent Congressional deal-making is putting those co-ops in danger.

While states are getting grants to fund their exchanges, co-ops were getting federal loans which had to be paid back within five years.

Tea Party Plans Anti-Obamacare Rally to Mark Kentucky Legislative Session Opening

Kenny Colston — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Before the first gavel is hit the start the 2013 legislative session in Kentucky, Tea Party activists plan to rally in the Capitol Rotunda against the federal Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

It’s the second capital rally against the health care law, which Kentucky has actively worked to implement by executive order from Governor Steve Beshear.

Rally organizer and activist David Adams says the goal of the rally is to convince lawmakers to pass a law overturning Beshear’s order and the health exchange in Kentucky.

Legislators Unlikely to Put State Health Exchange into Law

Kenny Colston — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:01:00 +0000

Gov. Steve Beshear will likely have to re-issue his executive order to keep the state’s health exchange running.

Beshear started the exchange — part of the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare — earlier this year through an executive order and state health officials have forged ahead with its creation.

But unless the Kentucky General Assembly takes up the issue to puts it into law, it's likely Beshear’s original order will have to be re-issued to keep work on the exchange moving forward.

Kentucky Gets Federal Approval for State-Based Health Exchange

Kenny Colston — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 17:57:10 +0000

After months building a state-based health exchange, Kentucky officials have been told that the federal government has given approval to their work.

Despite objections from Republican lawmakers, Kentucky officials quickly began working on a state-based exchange --- a part of the Affordable Care Act.

Many states surrounding Kentucky are opting for a federal-run exchange or haven’t yet made a decision.

Because of that fast work, federal health official Chiquita Brooks-LeSure announced that Kentucky now has official government approval to continue their exchange.

Young Ad Targets Obamacare

Phillip M. Bailey — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:55:32 +0000

In the race for Indiana's Ninth Congressional District race, Republican incumbent Todd Young has released a TV ad attacking President Obama's health care overhaul.

The 30-second spot criticizes the Affordable Care Act as "just one more way that Washington is trying to control" residents lives. It shows a series of doors in doctor's offices slamming in the viewers face to signify a barrier between physicians and their patients with Young opening the door for residents.

Check it:

State Chooses Anthem Plan as Benchmark for Insurance Exchange

Kenny Colston — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 20:27:26 +0000

State officials have chosen the new benchmark program for the Kentucky Health Insurance Exchange.

Officials have recommended the state’s so-called small group plan, provided by Anthem, as the benchmark. All other plans offered in the exchange must provide similar or better care.

The state says the plan is affordable and broad enough to adequately provide for Kentuckians.

But consumer advocates haven't yet decided to endorse the state's decision.

Kentucky's Health Insurance Exchange Board Will Meet, Rename Exchange

Kenny Colston — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 19:50:01 +0000

The advisory board tasked with overseeing Kentucky's health insurance exchange is set to have its first meeting Thursday.

The 19-member board is made up of public officials, insurance executives, doctors and consumer groups. The agenda is short, focusing mainly on organizational tasks like forming subcommittees. The board is also getting an overview of the exchange from Executive Director Carrie Banahan.

Kentucky's Mental, Behavioral Health Centers Prepare for Influx of Newly-Insured Patients

Kenny Colston — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:16:32 +0000

As Kentucky officials continue to implement the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, doctors are preparing for a rush of new patients in every sector of the health care industry.

Seven Counties Services CEO Tony Zipple says at least 25 percent of uninsured Americans have behavioral issues that need attention. And once the Affordable Care Act takes effect, he's expecting to see a flood of newly-insured patients seeking treatments.

More patients means a higher demand for doctors. And Zipple says the state needs to act to recruit enough professionals before the flood begins.