By Lindsay Travis, University of Kentucky/Kentucky Health News A team of researchers at the University of Kentucky is working to better understand the impact of opioid-use disorder on mothers and babies. Every 24 minutes in the United States, a baby is born with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) after being exposed via a mother with opioid-use…
Kentucky Health News The Cigna Group has pulled the plug on its planned merger with Louisville-based Humana Inc., which would have created a huge health-insurance company. “The companies couldn’t come to agreement on price and other financial terms, according to people familiar with the matter,” reports Lauren Thomas of The Wall Street Journal. “Cigna would have been acquiring Humana…
by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times LEXINGTON, KY — Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), in a crucial pivot, is now negotiating to extend its longstanding contract with the Lexington-Fayette Health Department for school nursing services. This move marks a significant shift from Superintendent Demetrius Liggins’ initial proposal to privatize these services and cut costs.…
Kentucky Health News If negotiations this month don’t find agreement that has been elusive so far, Louisville-based Baptist Health will no longer be in the Medicare Advantage networks of UnitedHealthcare and WellCare. It has been out of network with Louisville-based Humana for two months. “In-network rates for medical care are generally more affordable than out-of-network rates,” explains Morgan Watkins of Louisville Public Media. Patients…
By Melissa Patrick, Kentucky Health News Eleven nonprofit organizations have been selected to receive as much as $50,000 each from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky‘s Funding for Recovery Equity and Expansion Program. The FREE Program provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to organizations that raise awareness about overdose prevention, reduce the stigma associated…
Lexington, KY— In an upcoming Urban County Council work session on Tuesday, ONE Lexington will present its 2023 update, showcasing a range of initiatives aimed at tackling urban challenges, particularly those related to gun violence and its impacts on the community. Key Highlights of the Presentation: This comprehensive update from One Lexington reflects a…
By Melissa Patrick, Kentucky Health News The Kentucky Hospital Association‘s annual Workforce Survey Report says Kentucky suffers from an “acute shortage” of health care workers, with nearly 13,000 job vacancies in hospitals across the state at the end of 2022. “While the shortage of health-care workers is nationwide, it has hit the commonwealth especially hard, and KHA…
by Paul Oliva, The Lexington Times LEXINGTON, Ky.–A body tasked with making recommendations for the city’s use of National Opioid Litigation settlement funds will hear testimony from the general public for the first time on Friday. According to an agenda released by the city’s Opioid Abatement Commission Wednesday, open public comment will occur at…
‘We’re still trying to evaluate everything,’ says Right to Life’s Wuchner by Deborah Yetter, Kentucky Lantern Standing before cheering supporters on election night, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, wrapped up his reelection celebration with a round of thanks. “First to my parents,” he said, embracing Jane and Steve Beshear — his father himself…
By Al Cross, Kentucky Health News For the first time in 20 years, the rate of infant mortality in the U.S. showed a statistically significant increase in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national baby-death rate rose 3 percent from 2021, but in Kentucky it dropped 6 percent. The…