Tagged: healthcare

The dispute between a Christians-only health plan and the Kentucky state government will result in a court hearing later this month.

Medi-Share is a Florida-based ministry. Members can pay into the plan, then withdraw funds to pay medical bills. The state Supreme Court has classified Medi-Share as an insurance company that is not allowed religious exemptions to state law. Recently, the dispute garnered the attention of local tea partiers, who took Medi-Share's side.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Barack Obama’s healthcare overhaul law, known as the Affordable Care Act, could extend Medicaid to 300,000 more Kentuckians if the state decides to accept the terms laid out in the law.

The court ruled the federal government cannot withhold Medicaid funds to states that choose not to implement rules under the ACA, but if states choose to increase the poverty level for eligibility to 133 percent, the federal government will support them.

Kevin Russell from scotusblog.com explains:

A new competition to spur innovation in the healthcare industry is happening soon in Kentucky.

The Bluegrass Code-a-thon offers a $10,000 prize to the person who comes up with the best healthcare innovation in a single day. Organizers say the innovation can be anything, like a new way to share patient information or a unique smart phone application.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has released a new online directory of community groups that could provide support for patients and their families.

The foundation lists more than 140 organizations in the directory. Combined, they reach all of Kentucky's 120 counties. The groups aren't healthcare providers, but they can give guidance, referrals and emotional support.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says early work has begun on the state's health insurance exchange.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states must build online marketplaces where residents can compare insurance plans and prices. If states don't, the federal government will run the exchanges. Beshear has promised to sign an executive order implementing the exchange if the Supreme Court rules the ACA is constitutional, but he says the state is already preparing for that outcome.