affordable care act

Report: Kentucky Doctor Shortage Likely to Worsen With Health Care Expansion

Associated Press and Rick Howlett — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:02:32 +0000

A technology firm hired by the state says the planned expansion of Kentucky’s Medicaid program and the push to help the uninsured get health coverage will likely worsen the state’s shortage of physicians.

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.

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.

Democrats Walk Out of Meeting on Insurance Exchange

Kenny Colston — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:17:38 +0000

A second legislative hearing on Kentucky’s federally-mandated health insurance exchange led to a dramatic walkout by Democrats today.

For the second consecutive time, the interim joint Health and Welfare committee saw their meeting devolve into arguments over the exchange.

And this time, a motion by Republicans to register a vote of disapproval against the exchange led every Democrat to get up and leave in the middle of the meeting.

Beshear Appoints Insurers, Advocates to Health Insurance Exchange Board

Kenny Colston — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 22:08:45 +0000

Governor Steve Beshear has named the members of the state health insurance exchange board.

The now-19 member board includes top level officials from Kentucky's major insurers, including Anthem, Humana and Bluegrass Family Health.

It also includes represents from the state’s major hospitals, including Central Baptist in Lexington and KentuckyOne Health, which operates statewide.

Patient advocate groups, including Kentucky Voices for Health, AARP and Kentucky Youth Advocates, also have seats on the board.

Hobby Lobby Sues Over Health Care Act's Emergency Contraception Mandate

Dan Modlin, Kentucky Public Radio — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 18:43:26 +0000

The Hobby Lobby retail chain has gone to court to fight one of the provisions of the federal government's new health care law.

The Affordable Care Act requires employer’s to cover certain preventive services. This includes access to emergency contraception, like the morning-after pill, which prevents embryos from implanting in the uterine wall. Hobby Lobby’s founders say they currently provide birth control for their employees, but they object to being forced to provide insurance for what they call “abortion inducing drugs.”

Health Insurance Exchange Explained

Laura Ellis — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 23:41:10 +0000

After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, the federal health care law pushed by President Obama, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear announced that Kentucky would create a state health insurance exchange and eligible for federal subsidies under the new law. Also in Indiana.

So how will it work? We found out Friday on Byline, with Julie Appleby, a senior correspondent for the nonprofit news service Kaiser Health News (a program of the Henry J.