Legislature, Beshear pass law to protect independent pharmacies in Kentucky from commercial PBMs
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
A bill to address an unfair playing field between commercial pharmacy-benefit managers and independent pharmacists has been signed into law and will take effect Jan. 1.
As the final vote for Senate Bill 188 was made late on March 28, Rosemary Smith, co-founder of the Kentucky Independent Pharmacist Alliance, said she received at least 100 texts while watching...
Respiratory-virus activity ticks up a bit but hospital admissions fall; flu drives admissions, ER visits
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
The state Department for Public Health says respiratory virus activity ticked up a bit in Kentucky in the last week of March, but remained at a relatively low level, while hospitalizations for respiratory disease declined but remained at a level that the department considers moderate.
In the week ended March 30, emergency-room visits for influenza, COVID-19...
St. Elizabeth Healthy Headlines: High blood pressure is a ‘silent killer’ — there are ways to control it
When it comes to high blood pressure, ignorance isn’t bliss. In fact, not knowing could kill you.
That’s because high blood pressure (hypertension) has few noticeable symptoms. Left untreated, it can damage your kidneys, heart and other organs before you even realize you have it.
The good news is by understanding your risk of high blood pressure and taking steps to lower those risks, you can enjoy...
Governor recognizes National Public Health Week and DPH for helping create a stronger, healthier KY
Gov. Andy Beshear recognized this week, April 1-7, as National Public Health Week and thanked the Department for Public Health for helping create a stronger, healthier Kentucky.
“With the challenges Team Kentucky has faced over the years, our public health professionals have repeatedly made selfless decisions to show up and help others,” said Gov. Beshear.
“They deserve the title of health care...
Understanding the symptoms, causes, and management of Parkinson’s disease
By Dr. Zain Guduru
University of Kentucky
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. Named after Dr. James Parkinson, who first described it in 1817, this condition currently affects millions of people worldwide.
April is recognized as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, chosen because it is the birth month of Dr. Parkinson. While there is no...
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — aka ‘Obamacare’ – becoming untouchable safety net
Kentucky Health News
“A law once derided as ‘Obamacare’ and demonized as a big-government power grab is becoming a politically untouchable part of the American safety net, like Social Security and Medicare before it,” writes Dan Diamond, lead health reporter for The Washington Post.
As evdience, Diamond cites President Joe Biden’s “celebration” of the Patient...
St. E. Healthy Headlines: What’s in a nutrition label on foods you purchase? A step toward healthier eating
Most packaged foods sold in the United States include a nutrition label, which details nutrients in the food and recommended serving sizes. Understanding food labels and their importance can help you make better choices in the foods you purchase.
Beth Hils, MEd, RD, LD Dietitian at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, says understanding the information on these labels is the first step in helping you become...
Kentucky parents say access to reliable, affordable child care linked to better mental health
Nadia Ramlagan
Public News Service
More parents in Kentucky are switching jobs, delaying major purchases, cutting back on essential needs, and going into debt to afford child care, according to a new survey from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. Parents, especially mothers, in the Commonwealth say the financial stress and uncertainty around of child care is impacting their mental health.
Keisha,...
Navigating Aging: The burden of getting medical care can be exhausting for older patients
By Judith Graham
KFF Health News
Susanne Gilliam, 67, was walking down her driveway to get the mail in January when she slipped and fell on a patch of black ice.
Pain shot through her left knee and ankle. After summoning her husband on her phone, with difficulty she made it back to the house.
And then began the run-around that so many people face when they interact with America’s uncoordinated health...
New restrictions on vape sales win approval in the final hours with tobacco industry backing
By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern
A bill to curb underage vaping, which opponents say will hurt small businesses and encourage a “monopoly,” got in under the wire Thursday night, winning approval in the final hours before lawmakers broke until mid-April.
Changes to House Bill 11 made earlier in the day by the Senate Judiciary Committee — including lessening the proposed penalties for selling...
Studies show Paxlovid, a medication proven effective in the treatment of COVID-19, is being underutilized
By Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels
University of Kentucky
A safe and effective medication designed to prevent mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infections from becoming more dangerous has been available for almost two years. But recent studies have shown many patients eligible for the drug – Paxlovid – haven’t been prescribed it.
In a clinical trial, the orally taken medication reduced the risk of hospitalization...
St. E. hitting home run with Reds Eric Davis, Elly De La Cruz to champion proactive health practices
St. Elizabeth Healthcare has announced a new collaboration with Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz, aimed at championing proactive health practices within our community.
Through this partnership, St. Elizabeth will work with De La Cruz to utilize his platforms to highlight the importance of regular health check-ups, screenings and continuous care.
Elly De La Cruz
“We are thrilled to unite...
Health insurers again win lobbying battle with doctors, hospitals over ‘prior authorization’ of treatments
By Melissa Patrick
Kentucky Health News
A bill to exempt health-care providers who have 90% or more of their claims approved from health-insurance companies’ requirements for prior authorization of certain treatments has failed again.
“Unfortunately House Bill 317 looks like it’s dead,” said its sponsor, state Rep. Kim Moser. “We tried in good faith to work out a compromise...
St. Elizabeth’s Garren Colvin to speak at Covington Business Council’s monthly luncheon
Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, has been leading Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati to be a healthier region as a part of St. Elizabeth Healthcare for more than 40 years.
On April 18, he will be the guest speaker at the Covington Business Council’s monthly luncheon on “Investing in the Health of the Business Community.”
A native of Ludlow, Colvin first...
Criminal immunity for KY medical providers who make mistakes wins unanimous legislative support
By Sarah Ladd
Kentucky Lantern
A bill giving Kentucky’s health care providers criminal immunity for medical mistakes — which one lawmaker thinks will enshrine protections for in vitro fertilization by default — is on its way to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk.
House Bill 159, which would decriminalize medical mistakes made by health care providers, passed the House in February unanimously. On Friday...
