Health
‘Numerous’ complaints of Kentucky foster youth sleeping in office buildings spark investigation
After receiving what she called “numerous” complaints about foster children in Kentucky sleeping in office buildings without supervision by trained staff, state Auditor Allison Ball said Tuesday the Office of the Ombudsman will investigate. Calling it an “ongoing crisis” that is “years” in the making,? Ball said the ombudsman will investigate the Cabinet for Health […]
Kentucky awards first 26 medical cannabis licenses after lottery drawing
LOUISVILLE — Kentucky awarded its first 26 medical cannabis licenses through a lottery held Monday at the Kentucky Lottery Corporation in Louisville.? The first round of licenses, drawn by state lottery staff, went to 16 cultivators and 10 processors.? Monday’s winners will get an email within 24 hours and must pay a licensing fee within […]
‘Operation Counter-Mold:’ The hidden battle in military homes
Editor’s note: Since this investigation was published Oct. 24 in Rolling Stone ?the Army has offered to move both of the Fort Campbell families into new homes. The story is republished from POGO, The Project On Government Oversight. On the weekends, Aubrey Metzler lets out her frustration with military housing by screaming at strangers in […]
Supporters of birthing centers gain some political ground in Kentucky
After compromises from lawmakers, St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky is now neutral on legislation to clear the way for freestanding birth centers in the state.? Representatives for the health system have previously voiced some opposition, saying hospitals are best equipped to handle the unpredictability of birth.? Marc Wilson with Top Shelf Lobby spoke on […]
Republican lawmaker will renew efforts to make water fluoridation optional in Kentucky
A Republican lawmaker will once again push to end Kentucky’s requirement for certain utilities to add or adjust fluoride levels in drinking water. Rep. Mark Hart, R-Falmouth, filed House Bill 141 in 2024, but it died without clearing either chamber.? Speaking before the Interim Joint Committee on State Government Tuesday, Hart said he wants to […]
1 million+ patients lose coverage as insurers, hospitals drop Medicare Advantage
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Libby and Andrew Potter usually ignore the avalanche of Medicare Advantage ads that land in the mailbox at their home in Huntsville, Alabama, each fall as Medicare’s open enrollment period begins. Libby, a retired middle school librarian, has what she considers good health insurance through the state employee health plan. Andrew has […]
Addiction Recovery Care cuts more staff, facilities in response to payment cuts
The state’s largest provider of drug and alcohol treatment is making further cuts in staff and facilities as it faces steep cuts in Medicaid payments from the government health plan that covers nearly all its clients. Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, based in Louisa, said it will temporarily close four programs and reduce staff as […]
Kentucky domestic violence survivors?now have a way to remove personal information from online
Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.? Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams’ office has launched a program to help domestic violence survivors delete their personal identifying information (PII) from the internet.? Called DeleteMe, the program is a national privacy company that removes personal information from certain online sites. […]
Overdose deaths are down nationally, but up in many Western states
Despite an encouraging national dip in the past year, overdose deaths are still on the rise in many Western states as the epicenter of the nation’s continuing crisis shifts toward the Pacific Coast, where deadly fentanyl and also methamphetamine are finding more victims. Overdose deaths remain sharply higher since 2019. Many states are working on […]
More restrooms have adult-size changing tables to help people with disabilities
ADAIR, Iowa — The blue-and-white highway sign for the eastbound rest stop near here displays more than the standard icon of a person in a wheelchair, indicating facilities are accessible to people who can’t walk. The sign also shows a person standing behind a horizontal rectangle, preparing to perform a task. The second icon signals […]
Kentucky AG challenges Biden’s minimum staffing rule for nursing homes
Kentucky is joining 19 other states in challenging a Biden administration rule that sets minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes. The nursing home industry has pushed back against the rule, saying it couldn’t afford to comply even if enough new staff could be found amid a widespread health care workforce shortage, Kentucky Health News previously […]
Parents in Kentucky could be liable for kids’ misuse of guns under Republican lawmaker’s plan
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call or text the suicide prevention lifeline at 988.? A Northern Kentucky Republican will file a bill in the 2025 legislative session to hold parents and guardians civilly accountable for gun violence or misuse carried out by minor children in their care.? […]