healthcare

Five Kentucky Residents Reportedly Contracted Fungal Meningitis

The Associated Press — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 20:03:03 +0000

Health officials say they have been notified that five Kentucky residents came down with fungal meningitis after receiving medical care in Tennessee.

The state Public Health Department says these cases match the pattern of an outbreak linked to injections of steroids distributed by a Massachusetts pharmacy.

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.

U of L Medical Center Taking More Time to Find Partner

Gabe Bullard — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:33:04 +0000

The University of Louisville Medical Center is going to take more time searching for a new business partner.

The UMC put out a request for proposals for a new partner earlier this year, with a goal to finish the deal by the end of this month. But today (Thursday), officials released a statement saying they need more time. They stress that talks have been productive, but say it may take until the end of the year to secure a deal.

Restrictions on Birth Control Prompt Louisville Medical Practice to Leave KentuckyOne Health

Laura Ellis — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:00:00 +0000

In January, when Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's Healthcare merged with Lexington's St. Joseph Health System to form KentuckyOne Health, Highlands Family Medicine was part of the deal. But now the Bardstown Road doctors office, which has around 6,000 patients, has announced they'll leave KentuckyOne due to religious restrictions that affect how they can care for patients.

Under KentuckyOne's policies, doctors whose practices had been part of Jewish & St. Mary's aren't allowed to dispense birth control for pregnancy prevention.

Judge Sets Hearing in Christian Health Care Group Controversy

Gabe Bullard and The Associated Press — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:22:05 +0000

The dispute between a Christians-only health plan and the Kentucky state government will result in a court hearing later this month.

Medi-Share is a Florida-based ministry. Members can pay into the plan, then withdraw funds to pay medical bills. The state Supreme Court has classified Medi-Share as an insurance company that is not allowed religious exemptions to state law. Recently, the dispute garnered the attention of local tea partiers, who took Medi-Share's side.

Federal Healthcare Law and Kentucky Medicaid, Youth

Devin Katayama — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 17:32:01 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul law, known as the Affordable Care Act, could extend Medicaid to 300,000 more Kentuckians if the state decides to accept the terms laid out in the law.

The court ruled the federal government cannot withhold Medicaid funds to states that choose not to implement rules under the ACA, but if states choose to increase the poverty level for eligibility to 133 percent, the federal government will support them.

Kevin Russell from scotusblog.com explains:

Code-a-Thon Organizations Hope to Spur Innovation in Healthcare

Kenny Colston — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:30:07 +0000

A new competition to spur innovation in the healthcare industry is happening soon in Kentucky.

The Bluegrass Code-a-thon offers a $10,000 prize to the person who comes up with the best healthcare innovation in a single day. Organizers say the innovation can be anything, like a new way to share patient information or a unique smart phone application.

Healthcare Group Creates Directory to Help Patients Find Support

Kenny Colston — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:15:00 +0000

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has released a new online directory of community groups that could provide support for patients and their families.

The foundation lists more than 140 organizations in the directory. Combined, they reach all of Kentucky's 120 counties. The groups aren't healthcare providers, but they can give guidance, referrals and emotional support.

Beshear Says Early Work Has Begun on Health Insurance Exchange

Lisa Autry, Kentucky Public Radio — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 16:40:52 +0000

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says early work has begun on the state's health insurance exchange.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states must build online marketplaces where residents can compare insurance plans and prices. If states don't, the federal government will run the exchanges. Beshear has promised to sign an executive order implementing the exchange if the Supreme Court rules the ACA is constitutional, but he says the state is already preparing for that outcome.

State Responds to Medicaid Operator Ending Contract

Devin Katayama — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:23:45 +0000

This is an update to an earlier story.