Health officials focus on strong measures to ‘flatten the curve’ to fight the coronavirus; what that means
Kentucky Health News When health officials talk about strong measures to ‘flatten the curve’ to fight the coronavirus, this is…
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Clinicians suspected Kentucky’s first case of coronavirus, but patient didn’t qualify for testing
By Melissa Patrick and Al Cross Kentucky Health News Kentucky found its first case of the new coronavirus, in Harrison…
Commentary: Is our political system properly serving public-health system? We need reason, not a rant
By F. Douglas Scutchfield and Al Cross Kentucky Health News The new viral disease, Covid-19, began in China, which continues…
Children need 14 doctor visits before age 6, preschoolers increasingly not covered by insurance
Kentucky Health News In 2018, the number of Kentucky pre-schoolers without health insurance was about half again as large as…
Flu cases creep up for third week in a row; nine more Kentuckians have died from it; get a flu shot
Kentucky Health News Amid all the headlines about the novel coronavirus, health experts warn that there is a much more…
Senate President Stivers, long the key obstacle for medical marijuana in KY, now sees ‘a narrow path’
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The most important legislative opponent of legalizing medical marijuana in Kentucky said Friday that…
Smoke-free advocates rally in Frankfort for measures to decrease soaring youth use of e-cigarettes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky’s Coalition for a Smoke-free Tomorrow rallied in Frankfort this week to call on…
Cases of flu keep accelerating in Kentucky; there’s still time to get a flu shot
Kentucky Health News Influenza kept spreading faster in Kentucky in the week ended Dec. 21, the last week for which…
Federal appeals-court judges hear appeal but indicate doubt about Bevin’s work requirements for Medicaid
Kentucky Health News Federal judges were dubious Friday of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s campaign to add work requirements to the…
CDC urges ‘no vaping’ as investigation is ongoing on four deaths, more illnesses now linked to e-cigarettes
Kentucky Health News Four deaths have been linked to use of electronic cigarettes and federal officials are investigating more than…
Youths using e-cigs more likely to try marijuana; connection increased with refillable e-cig pods
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The first death attributed to vaping occurred on Friday in Illinois. A man between 17-38 years old had…
Grant allows former Ky. governor Fletcher to start treatment, housing for addicts in 101 rural counties
An organization headed by former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher will get $6.6 million in federal funds “to establish a center…
FDA probes 127 reports of seizures or other symptoms possibly related to e-cigarettes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating 127 reports of seizures, tremors, fainting or…
Health Departments have another year ’til pension hikes kick in but some are ready to raise taxes
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News While local health departments are more than grateful that legislation passed in the recent…
KY has 59 operating syringe exchanges and six in the wait; public-health advocates credited for increase
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Kentucky is lauded nationwide for its embrace of syringe exchanges to thwart the spread…
State could owe 58 hospitals ‘hundreds of millions’ if lower-court rulings on Medicaid rates stand
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News For about nine years, the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services used a…
Kentucky Health News: One Affordable Care Act insurer wants 12% rate hike next year; other one, -4.5
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News One of the two insurers offering government-subsidized individual health plans in Kentucky for 2020…
Kentucky Health News: Rural hospitals continue to be at risk of closing; federal policy complicates pay
Kentucky Health News Rural hospital closures are a growing trend, and federal policies don’t support a model that would include…
Study: Private insurance pays hospitals 241% more than Medicare; suggests shift to a Medicare model
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News As health-care costs continue to rise for both employers and employees, one group of…
As school nurse programs are threatened, Medicaid money made available for physical, behavioral health
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Many of Kentucky’s school districts have long struggled to pay for school nurses, let…
Bevin says he exposed his kids to chickenpox, rejecting vaccinations; health officials say that’s risky
By Melissa Patrick Kentucky Health News Gov. Matt Bevin said in a radio interview that he exposed his nine children…
Ban on tobacco in schools still alive; may pass House with measure raising to 21 legal age to buy
By Melissa Patrick and Al Cross Kentucky Health News With just three days left to pass bills, lawmakers in the…