Priscilla Easterling News Today

A new website aims to help more consumers enroll in health coverage and other public benefits offered on Kynect, Kentucky’s health insurance website.

A pandemic-era policy that waived recertifications for Medicaid recipients has ended. Those who do not recertify could lose coverage.

One in seven Medicaid recipients in Louisville will need to recertify their eligibility over the next year to avoid losing coverage.

Legislation that eliminates the residency requirement for Oregons aid-in-dying law is awaiting the governors signature. House Bill 2279 repeals the requirement that people utilizing the states Death with Dignity Act must be Oregon residents. Callie Riley is the Northwest regional advocacy manager for Compassion & Choices. ...

June is national safety month and workplace injuries are an important focus. What is considered a workplace injury is broader than many workers may understand. Lee Thomas, an attorney and board member of Washington State Association for Justice, said the state is unique in that it considers the wear and tear of work over time as an injury. ...

During Alzheimers and Brain Awareness Month, experts are seeking better access to Alzheimers treatment drugs. In Connecticut, 80,000 people age 65 and older live with this illness, and a report from the Alzheimers Association found this number is expected to grow to 91,000 by 2025. While there is no cure for Alzheimers, the Food and Drug Administration has approved new drugs to slow its progression. ...

Kentucky residents risk losing Medicaid coverage as pandemic regulations ease; 60,000 children may require further eligibility documentation.

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced several actions in an effort to crack down on illegal, flavored, disposable vape products which are popular among kids and teenagers. 51% of Arizona high school students have tried electronic vaping products, and adds that teens who do vape are nearly four times more likely to start smoking cigarettes, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Jim Carroll, former director of National Drug Control Policy under President Donald Tr...

Thousands of Kentucky residents and children face the threat of losing Medicaid and Kentucky Childrens Health Insurance as pandemic renewal regulations ease and the Medicaid renewals process returns to normal. Kentucky Voices for Health staff say renewal notices will be sent through May 2024, requesting extra details to assess household eligibility. While some individuals may no longer qualify because of income, others risk losing coverage if they fail to provide necessary documents. ...

July 1st is the official start date for Medicaid expansion in South Dakota, but health organizations involved with outreach say those who fall under the new eligibility guidelines can start applying ahead of time. Last fall, voters gave their consent for the state to use federal incentives to expand the public health coverage program. Determining Medicaid eligibility appeared daunting and nerve-wracking for first time applicants, said Sarah Houska, a volunteer with the American Heart Associati...