Jun 15 Local News UnitedHealth to “Pursue All Available Options” to Challenge Humana Tricare Award After a contentious two year dispute, Louisville insurance giant Humana will retain a lucrative military contract. Humana held the military’s Tricare contract for years. It allows the company to provide insurance for active and retired members of the armed services and their families throughout the south. Humana lost the contract to Minnesota-based UnitedHealth in 2009, […] By Gabe Bullard Jun 15 Local News UnitedHealth to “Pursue All Available Options” to Challenge Humana Tricare Award Gabe Bullard
Feb 28 Local News Beshear, Others Seeking Waiver on Healthcare Law Provision The law requires large insurance companies to spend at least 85% of premiums on medical care. The commonwealth currently requires 65% of premiums to be spent on care. Governor Steve Beshear's administration has asked the White House to let Kentucky raise the percentage by 5 points each year until it's in line with the law. State officials say if the increase isn't gradual, it could hurt the local insurance market. By Gabe Bullard Feb 28 Local News Beshear, Others Seeking Waiver on Healthcare Law Provision Gabe Bullard
Feb 25 Local News Humana to Retain Defense Department Contract Humana previously held the contract, but lost a bid to renew it two years ago. It was instead awarded to the United Health Group. Humana challenged the decision, saying the two companies were not judged according to the same criteria. The award has been re-evaluated, and Humana will once again have the contract. By Gabe Bullard Feb 25 Local News Humana to Retain Defense Department Contract Gabe Bullard
Feb 18 Local News Optometry Bill On Its Way To Beshear It wasn’t introduced until February. Neither House and Senate leaders nor the governor ever mentioned it as a priority. But a bill allowing optometrists to perform certain surgical procedures currently only done by ophthalmologists—who are medical doctors—is on its way to Governor Steve Beshear for his signature. By Tony McVeigh Feb 18 Local News Optometry Bill On Its Way To Beshear Tony McVeigh
Feb 9 Local News Kentucky To Expand Medicaid Managed Care But Will Increase Oversight The state saved millions of dollars in Louisville through a managed care program called Passport, even though questionable spending ultimately led to a management shakeup. Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller says any new programs will face strong oversight. By Tony McVeigh Feb 9 Local News Kentucky To Expand Medicaid Managed Care But Will Increase Oversight Tony McVeigh
Feb 8 Local News Kindred To Acquire RehabCare Kindred Healthcare will purchase St. Louis-based RehabCare. The $1.3 billion transaction will create the nation's largest rehabilitation services provider. By Gabe Bullard Feb 8 Local News Kindred To Acquire RehabCare Gabe Bullard
Jan 17 Local News Yarmuth Says The Message Will Be Clearer During New Healthcare Debate Yarmuth, who favors the law, says the repeal debate will give he and like-minded Democrats the opportunity to discuss the legislation more clearly than they could when it was first up for a vote. By Gabe Bullard Jan 17 Local News Yarmuth Says The Message Will Be Clearer During New Healthcare Debate Gabe Bullard
Jan 10 Local News Yarmuth says Healthcare Debate May Benefit Democrats Third District Congressman John Yarmuth calls any full repeal of the law symbolic and unlikely to pass the Senate. But, he hopes the majority keeps trying anyway, because it will lead to a new debate on the legislation. By Gabe Bullard Jan 10 Local News Yarmuth says Healthcare Debate May Benefit Democrats Gabe Bullard
Jan 5 Local News Yarmuth Looks To Protect Legislative Victories From Repeal Yarmuth says he's been pleased with new Republican Speaker John Boehner's nods to bipartisanship, but he's not sure whether that will pan out over the next two years. While Yarmuth has his concerns about GOP's plans for the upcoming session, he says the party may have difficulty reigning in newly-elected representatives. By Gabe Bullard Jan 5 Local News Yarmuth Looks To Protect Legislative Victories From Repeal Gabe Bullard
Nov 30 Local News Farm Bureau Meeting In Louisville This Week Every year, delegates meet to discuss business, receive awards, elect officers and to determine their legislative priorities. Executive Vice President David Beck says the bureau may revise its stance on certain provisions in the healthcare overhaul law, but the main focus will likely be the upcoming farm bill. By Gabe Bullard Nov 30 Local News Farm Bureau Meeting In Louisville This Week Gabe Bullard
Nov 29 Local News Hospital Merger Talks Continue, Ethics Among Issues To Be Resolved The University of Louisville is in talks to create a statewide medical network with Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's Healthcare and Catholic Health Initiatives. Groups such as Planned Parenthood have protested similar mergers between secular and religious institutions, saying Catholic doctrines can threaten contraceptive counseling, vasectomies, in vitro fertilization or other reproductive issues. By Gabe Bullard Nov 29 Local News Hospital Merger Talks Continue, Ethics Among Issues To Be Resolved Gabe Bullard
Nov 18 Local News Cook Says Changes Are Coming To Passport The board of directors of Medicaid manager Passport Health Plan met Thursday for the first time since an auditor's report revealed inappropriate spending and conflicts of interest within the agency. Passport CEO and board chair Dr. Larry Cook says an interim-CEO will be hired to relieve him of his duties in that position. By Gabe Bullard Nov 18 Local News Cook Says Changes Are Coming To Passport Gabe Bullard
Nov 11 Local News U Of L Board Authorizes Initial Step In Healthcare Merger Negotiations on a merger with Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's Healthcare and Colorado-based Catholic Health Initiatives began in March. The U of L Board of Trustees Thursday moved the talks forward by authorizing a letter of intent. The letter paves the way for the creation of a new healthcare system comprised of all three entities. By Gabe Bullard Nov 11 Local News U Of L Board Authorizes Initial Step In Healthcare Merger Gabe Bullard
Nov 8 Local News Senator Scott Brown Discusses Repeals, Cuts At U Of L Brown's speech largely focused on reducing spending and keeping taxes at their current levels. When asked where spending cuts should be made, he declined to specify, and said that could be determined through a thorough review of all government programs. By Gabe Bullard Nov 8 Local News Senator Scott Brown Discusses Repeals, Cuts At U Of L Gabe Bullard
Sep 27 Local News Flu Shots At Public Schools Start Tuesday Health department director Dr. Adewale Troutman says the vaccines are free, but can only be offered at schools where at least 80 percent of the students are on free or reduced lunch. By Gabe Bullard Sep 27 Local News Flu Shots At Public Schools Start Tuesday Gabe Bullard