Health
Beshear signs bill to address shortage of health care workers in Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear on Wednesday signed a bill aimed at addressing Kentucky’s health care workforce shortage. House Bill 200, which received bipartisan support from legislators, will create a health care workforce fund with private-public partnership administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE). “This broad-reaching initiative helps nurses, nurses aides, mental health counselors, dental hygienist, […]
Transgender teen: Anti-LGBTQ bills mean Kentucky doesn’t want me here
This story discusses suicide and anti-LGBTQ attacks. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also has trained counselors available around the clock. Reach them at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/, or […]
Ending a pregnancy in 14 states leaves few options. Some are looking to Europe and India for help.
The pills came in a dark salmon-colored envelope sealed with a plastic covering that traveled more than 7,000 miles, over a dozen time zones from Nagpur, India, in almost exactly one week. They were placed partially under the doormat of a home in a state with one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the […]
U.S. remains a grim leader in preterm births. Why? And can we fix it?
Tamara Etienne’s second pregnancy was freighted with risk and worry from its earliest days — exacerbated by a first pregnancy that had ended in miscarriage. A third-grade teacher at an overcrowded Miami-Dade County public school, she spent harried days on her feet. Financial worries weighed heavy, even with health insurance and some paid time off […]
Medical cannabis overcomes big obstacle in Kentucky as state Senate votes for legalization
FRANKFORT — A bill to legalize medical marijuana for some Kentuckians who suffer from chronic illnesses overcame a major hurdle Thursday evening, winning a seal of approval from the state Senate. Legislation similar to Senate Bill 47 has died in the Senate in previous sessions. However, senators voted 26-11 in favor of the measures with […]
Postpartum depression bill has now cleared both Kentucky chambers
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. FRANKFORT — A bill aimed at providing education and resources for new parents who may face postpartum depression has now cleared both Kentucky chambers. Senate Bill 135, sponsored by Sen. Shelley […]
Advanced practice nurses in Kentucky will have more prescribing authority under new law
For years, Beth Partin has practiced medicine in rural Kentucky through a collaborative agreement with a physician. Because her husband is a physician, Partin – who has a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree – said she hasn’t had an issue getting a provider to sign an agreement with her in compliance with a state law […]
Republican senator proposes rewrite of anti-trans legislation, other floor amendments filed
FRANKFORT — A Republican senator proposed striking much of anti-trans House Bill 470 after Senate Republicans caucused behind closed doors for three hours Tuesday. A floor amendment filed around 8 p.m. Tuesday narrows the prohibitions in HB 470 and would give parents more leeway than the original bill to make health care decisions for their […]
Medical marijuana bill advances for first time in Kentucky Senate as this session wanes
A bill legalizing medical marijuana access for some Kentuckians with chronic illness received a Senate committee’s approval Tuesday as this year’s legislative session enters its final days. Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, is the latest bill to be filed by the Republican to try to legalize medicinal use of marijuana that […]
Kentucky legislature advances anti-trans bill
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. The Trevor Project, which aims to end suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, also has trained counselors available around the clock. Reach them at 1-866-488-7386, via chat at https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/, or by texting START […]
Bill to address physician burnout has now cleared both Kentucky chambers
This story mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. A Kentucky Senate bill aimed at preventing burnout among physicians has now cleared both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly. Republican-backed Senate Bill 12 unanimously cleared the Senate in late February […]
More than a third of Kentucky hospitals at risk, warns Kentucky Hospital Association report
Citing “inflation, record-high operating costs, and lower volumes,” a new report released this month says 38% of Kentucky’s hospitals are at risk of closure thanks to “the unsustainability of operations.” Health-care consulting firm Kaufman Hall prepared the report at the request of the Kentucky Hospital Association. The report shows that the state’s hospitals spent much […]