Health
Reproductive rights rally hears abortion ban violates some Kentuckians’ religious freedom
FRANKFORT — Just as the Senate and House gaveled in, supporters of reproductive rights rallied in the Capitol rotunda Thursday to call Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban cruel and ask lawmakers to undo it.? The Rev. Elwood Sturtevant, a board member at Kentucky Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, called it a “myth” that abortion is the […]
Kentucky bill weakening miner safety protection gains committee approval
For the second year in a row, Kentucky lawmakers are trying to weaken a protection for coal miners that was put in place in response to the workplace death of a miner in Harlan County. House Bill 196, sponsored by Rep. John Blanton, R-Salyersville, would reduce the required number of trained and certified coal miners […]
Bill barring use of public funds on transgender treatments for Kentucky inmates advances
FRANKFORT — Under a Republican bill advancing in the Kentucky legislature, a reported 67 incarcerated people would have to stop taking “cross sex hormones” if the treatments are paid for with public funds.? Advocates who asked — in vain — members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to vote against Senate Bill 2 said it’s unfair […]
McConnell cites RFK Jr.’s ‘record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories’ for his no vote
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was again the lone Republican opposing a Trump nominee Thursday when he cast a no vote against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation as health secretary, a day after voting no on Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director. Earlier McConnell voted against Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary. The U.S. Senate […]
GOP lawmaker moves to overhaul bill protecting drug discounts critical to some KY hospitals
A Northern Kentucky lawmaker has proposed a new version of a bill meant to protect a program that generates income for charity health care that some Kentucky hospitals say is essential for their survival. “This is a very critical program for our hospitals and access to care in rural communities,” Nancy Galvagni, president of the […]
Lawmakers move to ensure info is available to investigate complaints against state cabinet
After mediation and a judge’s order, Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball says the legislature needs to codify her office’s access to an important database kept by the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.? During a Tuesday committee meeting, Ball told lawmakers the cabinet appears to not be? forwarding every complaint it receives about itself to […]
KY urged to do more to protect children from accidental shootings, drug ingestion
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or tect the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.? Easy access and exposure to guns and drugs are killing Kentucky children.? That’s according to the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, which released its 2024 report last week.? […]
Trump administration plans for federal contracts stir worries across Kentucky
From farmers who have installed fencing for rotational grazing to medical researchers running million dollar laboratories, Kentuckians are worried about Trump administration disruptions to federal contract payments. University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto on Monday said a decision announced late Friday by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “will cost UK tens of millions of […]
Kentucky child not vaccinated against influenza dies from flu
A Kentucky child who was unvaccinated for influenza has died from the flu, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced Friday.? This is the first pediatric flu death this season, according to the department. Nothing else about the child is known. This comes as flu vaccination is down around the state, with 17% of Kentucky […]
Bill would clamp down on ‘bad actors’ selling nicotine to youth, says sponsor
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, has filed a bill that he promised would add “teeth” to Kentucky laws aimed at keeping nicotine products out of the hands of kids.? Higdon’s Senate Bill 100, filed Thursday, seeks to license all retailers who sell tobacco and vape products, giving the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control inspection and […]
Birthing centers bill wins Kentucky Senate approval for first time
The long-debated controversy over freestanding birthing centers in Kentucky reached the floor of the Senate Friday as a bill aimed at paving the way for them easily won approval, 34-0 with two lawmakers passing. Senators stood and clapped after the vote. The bill now heads to the House, which last year approved legislation aimed at […]
Kentucky urged to increase criminal penalties, education to protect kids from ‘sextortion’
FRANKFORT — Kentucky’s laws haven’t caught up to the digital age and rampant sexual extortion targeting children, advocates said Wednesday.? That’s why they’re pushing for swift passage of Senate Bill 73, which makes?sextual?extortion?—?or?sextortion?—?a felony. The bill would also make it easier to collect legal damages from a perpetrator and require schools to educate children about […]