[♪♪] >> Bill: THE SLATES ARE SET FOR NOVEMBER.

REPUBLICAN DANIEL CAMERON NAMED ROBBIE MILLS HIS RUNNING MATE WHILE COLEMAN SIGNS UP WITH BESHEAR AGAIN.

KENTUCKY IS BEHIND ON NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS AS SERIOUS COMPLAINTS ROLL IN.

THOUSANDS OF KENTUCKY MEDICAID RECIPIENTS TUESDAY THEIR COVERAGE.

FLOODS HIT WESTERN KENTUCKY AS EASTERN KENTUCKY PREPARES TO MARK A YEAR SINCE HISTORIC FLOODING THERE.

FINALLY A PLEASANT SUMMER WEEKEND COMING UP AND COMMENT IS NEXT ON KET.

GOOD EVENING I'M BILL BRYANT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO COMMENT COMMENT A "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" A LOOK BACK AND ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK'S NEWS IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE GUESTS ON OUR PANEL OF WORKING KENTUCKY JOURNALISTS TONIGHT ARE MARK PAYNE, GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS REPORTER FOR LINK NKY.

AND MELISSA PATRICK REPORTER FOR KENTUCKY HEALTH NEWS AND JOHN CHEVES THE REPORTER FOR THE LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER AND KENTUCKY'S BUSINESSES PLAN FOR A POSSIBLE U.P.S.

STRIKE.

KENTUCKY REMEMBERS JOE WRIGHT WHO FOUGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE AS PART OF THE BLACK SHEEP SQUADRON.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THE TOP OF THE TICKETS ARE NOW SET.

REPUBLICAN DANIEL CAMERON NAMED HIS RUNNING MATE THIS WEEK AND HE IS STATE SENATOR ROBBIE MILLS OF HENDERSON.

CAMERON SAID ALL ALONG HE WANTED SOMEONE WHO COULD GET ALONG WELL WITH LAWMAKERS.

WITH MILLS HE GETS A RUNNING MATE WHO HAS SERVED IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

MILLS SHARES CAMERON'S SOCIAL STANDS MEANWHILE, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR WILL ONCE AGAIN BE RUNNING WITH LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN AND BESHEAR QUICKLY POUNCED ON THE REPUBLICAN PICK.

>> HE IS PRO COAL.

PRO FAMILY.

AND IS A STRONG LEADER FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY.

ROBBIE WILL BE A GREAT PARTNER IN OUR QUEST TO DEFEAT ANDY BESHEAR.

>> THIS IS THE EXTREME HONOR.

IT IS A TRUE HONOR TO BE ASKED TO RUN WITH DANIEL TO TAKE BACK THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN KENTUCKY.

>> WHAT I WILL SAY AS A LEGISLATOR, ROBBIE MILLS LED THE EFFORT TO PASS A SEWER BILL THAT WOULD HAVE STRIPPED THE EARNED RETIREMENTS OF EVERY TEACHER, POLICE OFFICER, FIREFIGHTER, SOCIAL WORKER EVERY STATE, CITY AND COUNTY EMPLOYEE THAT WAS MADE A PROMISE AND HE WAS WILLING TO BREAK IT.

>> Bill: MARK, WHAT DOES SENATOR ROBBIE MILLS BRING TO THE CAMERON TICKET.

>> HE BRINGS A SOLID CONSERVATIVE RECORD THAT ALIGNS WITH DANIEL CAMERON'S VALUES AND SENATOR MILLS CAMERON GETS A REPUBLICAN THAT SERVED IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

SO HE HAS THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP THAT IS SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR GETS CRITICIZED FOR HAVING A LACK OF WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH CHAMBERS.

I THINK ANY DEMOCRAT MIGHT HAVE THAT SAME STRUGGLE WITH BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITIES.

BUT SENATOR MILLS HAS INTRODUCED BILLS THAT ALIGN WITH CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN AND WILL BE USED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

THE BIG ONE BEING SENATE BILL 83 FROM 2022 THAT BANNED TRANSGENDER WOMEN FROM PARTICIPATING IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.

SENATOR MILLS BROUGHT REILLY GAINS A FORMER SWIMMER TO THE CAPITAL LAST YEAR AND THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THAT WAS GAIN'S FIRST FORAY INTO KENTUCKY POLITICS.

SHE CAMPAIGNED WITH KELLY CRAFT WHEN SHE WAS RUNNING FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION THIS PAST SPRING.

BUT I EXPECT THAT MILLS AND CAMERON WILL CAMPAIGN ON SIMILAR CULTURE WAR SUBJECT MATTER AS WE MOVE INTO THE FALL.

SO FROM THIS PICK I EXPECT CAMERON'S CAMPAIGN TO FOCUS ON THAT.

AND ON THE SURFACE HE DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF BAGGAGE THOUGH HE DOES NOT HAVE THE NAME RECOGNITION LIKE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARELS MIGHT HAVE OR WILL SCHROEDER WHO RAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Bill: JOHN, YOU HEARD BESHEAR QUICKLY CRITICIZE THE PICK NOTING MILLS A ROLE IN THE PENSION BILL ORIGINALLY PASSED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A SEWER BILL.

AND LIVENED UP SOME OF THE ELECTORATE IN 2019.

>> RIGHT.

THIS WAS SENATE BILL 1 IN 2018 THE SUEABLE BILL.

AND IT WASN'T JUST THE CONTENTS THE CONTENTS WOULD HAVE TAKEN AWAY TRADITIONAL PENSIONS FROM PUBLIC EMPLOYEES INCLUDING SCHOOLTEACHERS AS PART OF THE CHANGES THAT GOVERNOR BEVIN WANTED.

IT WAS THE WAY IT WAS PASSED.

AT THE END OF THE SESSION LATE AT NIGHT WITHOUT PUBLIC REVIEW AND THE WAY IT WAS PASSED THAT CAUSED THE KENTUCKY SUPREME COURT TO STRIKE IT DOWN LATER SAYING IT WAS RUSHED THROUGH WITHOUT THE MANDATORY THREE READINGS AND PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

IT WAS VERY UNPOPULAR.

TEACHERS MARCHED ON THE CAPITOL.

AND I THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HOPING HE CAN TIE THE CAMERON MILLS TICKET TO THIS IN AN EFFORT TO GET PUBLIC EMPLOYEES SORT OF WORKED UP.

>> Bill: MARK, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN SIGNED UP TO RUN AGAIN WITH BESHEAR AND SHE IS A FORMER COACH AND TEACHER AND SAYS THAT EDUCATION AND TEACHERS WILL ONCE AGAIN PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS 23 RACE AS THEY DID IN 2019.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE BESHEAR CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO RUN ON BESHEAR'S FIGHT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION SUCH AS ADVOCATING FOR TEACHER RAISES AND UNIVERSAL PRE-K.

HE IS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO PAINT THE LEGISLATURE HAS PERHAPS SOMEWHAT ANTI-PUBLIC EDUCATION THEY PASSED THE CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING BILL IN 2022.

THE SCHOOL CHOICE VOUCHER BILL THAT THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN IS KEY TO THAT ARGUMENT.

>> AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 100,000 ACTIVE AND RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS IN KENTUCKY.

AND THEY ARE EDUCATED AND THEY TEND TO BE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY VOTE IN POLITICAL LOCK STEP BUT THEY ARE A POTENT POLITICAL FORCE AND I THINK GOVERNOR BESHEAR IS HOPING HE CAN MARSHALL THEM COME NOVEMBER.

>> Bill: DO YOU BELIEVE THEM TO BE AS COHESIVE AS THE 19 RACE?

>> THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS VOTED THE WAY THE DEMOCRATS HOPE THAT THEY WOULD VOTE.

BUT I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DEFINITELY HAVE THEIR VOTES COURTED.

PEOPLE WILL BE APPEALING TO THEM.

>> Bill: JOHN A HUMOR ASIDE FORMER U.K. BASKETBALL STAR CAMERON MILLS HE TOLD THE HERALD LEADER YEARS FROM NOW HE EXPECTS HE WILL BE GETTING QUESTIONS ABOUT DIDN'T YOU ONCE RUN FOR GOVERNOR?

>> THE BASKETBALL PLAYER CAMERON MILLS GOOD NATUREDLY RUSHED TO TELL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HE IS NOT THE TICKET CAMERON-MILLS.

HE IS NOT ENDORSING ANYBODY THIS NOVEMBER.

>> Bill: THERE'S POLLING OUT THERE FROM PUBLIC OPINION STRATEGIES AND IT'S INTERESTING.

IT WON THE INITIAL POLL SHOWS BESHEAR WITH AN EARLY ADVANTAGE IN THE RACE AND A 63% APPROVAL OVERALL.

IT SHOWS ALSO THAT NEARLY 4 IN 10 REPUBLICANS APPROVE OF BESHEAR'S JOB PERFORMANCE.

AND THAT HAS HELD STEADY, MARK, FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

AND WE'VE SEEN DIFFERENT POLLS AND DIFFERENT METHODOLOGIES AND GENERALLY THE GOVERNOR IS GETTING ABOUT 6 OUT OF 10 TO SAY THEY ARE OK WITH WHAT IS HE DOING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

MORNING CONSOLE IS PUTTING THE POLLS OUT AND THEY CONSISTENTLY SHOW GOVERNOR BESHEAR AS THE MOST DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN THE COUNTRY.

HE IS EVEN DEEPLY POPULAR AMONG REPUBLICANS.

>> Bill: AND THIS AFTERNOON, CAME ANOTHER POLL FROM THE SAME ORGANIZATION.

JOHN, THAT AUSTIN HORN REPORTED FOR THE HERALD LEADER.

>> MY COLLEAGUE AUSTIN WROTE ABOUT POLLING SHOWING EARLIER LAST MONTH THE PRITCHARD COMMITTEE DID A POLL FOR THIS GROUP, AND THEN THEY DID ANOTHER POLL FOR REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

SHOWING ORIGINALLY A 10-POINT LEAD FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND THEN A 4-POINT LEAD.

AS COMPARED TO ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON.

YOU CAN SAY THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR MAINTAINS A LEAD FOR THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR'S MAIN TAPED HIS LEAD IS SHRINKING OVER TIME DEPENDING ON YOUR PARTISAN OUTLOOK.

I'M LEARY OF POLLING THIS DAY AND AGE ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT A FEW POINTS AND HOW MUCH SIGNIFICANCE YOU CAN READ INTO THAT.

I THINK CLEARLY THE REPUBLICANS FACE A CHALLENGE IN THIS ONE PARTICULAR RACE.

KENTUCKY IS A RED CONSERVATIVE STATE, A REPUBLICAN STATE.

WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES IS THEY HAVE AN INCUMBENT GOVERNOR WHO SEEMS TO BE POPULAR AND KENTUCKY IS DOING WELL.

THEY HAVE TO CONVINCE KENTUCKIANS THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING WELL AND CONVINCE KENTUCKIANS THAT THEY DON'T LIKE THIS GUY AND THEY HAVE A FEW MONTHS LEFT TO CONVINCE VOTERS WHY THEY SHOULDN'T GIVE HIM A SECOND TERM.

IT IS NOT AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB.

IT WOULD BE EASIER IF HE WAS NEW, RUNNING FOR HIS FIRST TERM AND THEY HAD NOT BEEN FOUR YEARS STARING AT THE GUY AND HEARING FROM HIM EVERYDAY.

THEY HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.

>> Bill: IN A HISTORIC WAY HE BECAME WELL-KNOWN.

>> WE'VE NEVER SEEN A GOVERNOR AS MUCH AS WE'VE SEEN THIS GOVERNOR.

THAT IS WHY YOU WILL HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT THE WOKE RADICAL EXTREME LEFTIST WOKE GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TO CONVINCE US HE IS NOT JUST THIS Mr. ROGER GUY WE SEE ALL THE TIME.

>> Bill: THE ROUGH WEATHER CONTINUED BESHEAR DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN WESTERN KENTUCKY AFTER FLOODING HIT THAT AREA.

MAYFIELD HAD MORE THAN 11 INCHES OF RAIN IN A DAY AND THAT IS A NEW STATE RECORD.

AND MARK, CAMERON ACTIVATED THE PRICE GOUGING LAWS BECAUSE OF THE FLOODING.

BOTH CAMERA AND AND BESHEAR ARE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR IS IN MAYFIELD.

DISASTERS GRAB ATTENTION.

AND PARTICULARLY OF THE POLITICIANS WHO WANT VOTES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR LED THE STATE THROUGH THE COVID PANDEMIC, THE FLOODS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY AND NOW THE FLOODING IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

HE MAINTAINED AN EVERPRESENT VOICE DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH HIS PRESS CONFERENCES BUT OF COURSE THAT WORKS TWO FOLD WHEN HE IS UP FOR REELECTION.

AT THE END OF THE DAY HE CAN SAY I'VE LED US THROUGH THIS BUT GOT FACE TIME AND IS ABLE TO CRAFT THAT NARRATIVE THAT HE WANTS.

CAMERON DOES IT AS WELL WITH THE OPIOID ABATEMENT SETTLEMENTS HE TRAVELS AROUND THE STATE TALKING ABOUT THAT WORK AND HE CAN SAY I'M FIGHTING THE OPIOID AND FENTANYL EPIDEMICS.

HE DOES IT WITH AMICUS BRIEFS AND FILING LAWSUITS GOVERNANCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT BIDEN.

>> Bill: AND MIKE HARMON'S TEAM IS LOOKING INTO THE TEAM KENTUCKY FUND.

BESHEAR MADE NOTE THAT HARMON WAS AT A CAMERON EVENT AND CALL IT IS POLITICAL.

HARMON SAYS THE WAY HE OPERATES THAT OFFICE IS NOT POLITICAL.

>> THE STATE AUDITOR STAFF IS NONPARTISAN INVESTIGATORS AND ACCOUNTANTS.

THE LEGISLATURE ASKED THE OFFICE TO LOOK INTO HOW THE MONEY WAS RAISED AND DISPENSED TO DISASTER VICTIMS.

QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED AS TO WHETHER IT WAS HANDED PROPERLY AND IF PEOPLE WHO GOT MONEY DID NOT NEED IT.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHEN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE DISPENSES THE REPORTS.

>> Bill: WE'RE SEEING THE WESTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING AND EASTERN KENTUCKY WILL BE MARKING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOBBABLE HISTORIC FLOODING.

AND THOSE DISASTERS THEY TAKE A TOLL ON PROPERTY AND SO FORTH.

BUT ALSO ON HUMAN BEINGS.

AND EMOTIONS AND THERE IS PTSD INVOLVED IN THESE SITUATIONS.

>> THERE SURE IS.

YOU KNOW I READ AN ARTICLE JUST IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS ABOUT SOMEONE WHO WHEN THE WATER STARTED RISING IN THE CREEK, IT JUST IMMEDIATELY TRIGGERED A ACCEPTS OF DISCOMFORT AND PANIC AND THAT IS PTSD, THAT IS POST TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME AND WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT VETERANS WHEN WE USE THAT TERM.

IN FACT ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCED TRAUMA OR WITNESSED TRAUMA CAN EXPERIENCE PTSD AND THESE DISASTER VICTIMS HAVE SEEN A LOT OF TRAUMA.

>> Bill: WE WERE HEARING REPORTS WHEN WE WERE REPORTING ON THE WESTERN KENTUCKY FLOODING IT WAS UPSETTING TO FOLKS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAD BEEN THROUGH.

>> AND THAT IS CALLED A TRIGGER.

SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE OR EXPERIENCE OR TOUCH, TASTE, SMELL ANY OF THAT CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO GO BACK TO THAT TIME OF DISTRESS.

>> Bill: WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE FEELING THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO LET YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN KNOW THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PTSD AND THEY CAN DIRECT TO YOU FURTHER CARE IF YOU NEED IT.

BUT ANYONE IN IMMEDIATE CRISIS CAN CALL OUR 9-8-8 SUICIDE CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH NUMBER IT'S THERE FOR EVERYONE 24 HOURS A DAY AND IT'S CONFIDENTIAL.

>> Bill: JOHN YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A PIECE THAT DROPPED THIS WEEK ON THE LACK OF NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS IN KENTUCKY.

YOUR FINDINGS REVEAL THAT 73% OF KENTUCKY NURSING HOMES HAVE GONE MORE THAN TWO YEARS OUT AN ANNUAL INSPECTION?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

KENTUCKY LIKE EVERY OTHER STATE IS REQUIRED TO GO INTO THE NURSING HOMES ONCE A YEAR, NO MORE THAN ONCE EVERY 15 MONTHS AND INSPECT THEM.

THE HEALTH CABINET IS SUPPOSED TO SEND A TEAM OF INSPECTORS TO THE 277 NURSING HOMES, WALK THE HALLS AND TALK TO THE PEOPLE AND INSPECT THE FACILITIES MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE QUALITY OF CARE THEY NEED THERE'S NOT DEFICIENCIES GOING ON.

HEAD OFF PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME SERIOUS AND WE'RE NOT DOING IT.

MANY OF THE PLACES NOT ONLY ARE WE NOT GOING EVERY YEAR, EVEN UP TO FOUR YEARS SOMETIMES.

I FOUND A PLACE IN LOUISVILLE THAT IS NOW AS OF THIS SUMMER BEEN CLOSED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THEY HAD RATS, MICE, FILTH, BAD MISTREATMENT OF THE RESIDENTS.

THEY WENT FOUR YEARS AT THIS PLACE BETWEEN SO-CALLED ANNUAL INSPECTIONS BEFORE THE INSPECTORS CAME AND FOUND THESE TERRIBLE PROBLEMS.

A DOZEN WRONGFUL DEATH AND ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAWSUITS AT THIS PLACE.

IT'S TERRIBLE WHAT IS GOING ON AND I'M NOT SURE ANYONE IN FRANKFORT IS PAYING ATTENTION TO IT.

KENTUCKY FELL BEHIND ON THE INSPECTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

MOST OTHER STATES CAUGHT UP FASTER THAN KENTUCKY DID.

WE HAVE THE SINGLE BIGGEST VACANCY RATE FOR THE NURSING HOME INSPECTORS IN KENTUCKY OUT OF ALL THE 50 STATES.

MOST OF OUR INSPECTOR POSITIONS ARE VACANT.

FEWER THAN ONE IN FIVE OF OUR POSITIONS ARE FILLED AT THE STATE HEALTH CABINET.

WE WERE NOT PAYING THEM MUCH.

THE POSITIONS THAT REQUIRED NURSES TO HAVE THEM WE WERE PAYING THEM $50,000 A YEAR.

THE BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION THE LAST FEW MONTHS STARTED TO THROW MONEY AT THOSE POSITIONS TO RAISE THE SALARIES TO 70,000 OR MORE.

MAYBE THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CRISIS IN THE WORKS IN OUR NURSING HOMES BECAUSE NO ONE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO THE STANDARDS IN THEM.

>> Bill: THE ADMINISTRATION ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM.

>> THEY D THIS WAS A PROBLEM.

NOBODY WOULD SPEAK TO ME AT THE STATE HEALTH CABINET, THE HEALTH SECRETARY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DID GIVE A BRIEF STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING WE HAVE AN ISSUE AND TRYING TO RAISE THE SALARIES.

I HOPE THEY ARE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY OUR SENIORS' LIVES ARE AT STAKE.

>> Bill: GIVEN THE SURPLUSES WE'VE SEEN.

>> WE ARE SITTING ON A BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS MONEY SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE.

THESE ARE HUMAN LIVES.

>> MELISSA YOU ARE A FORMER NURSE WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THE INSPECTIONS BE DONE AND THE ADVICE TO THE STAKEHOLDERS.

>> THESE ARE OUR VERY MOST VULNERABLE AS CHILDREN ARE OUR SENIORS ARE VULNERABLE TO DEPENDING ON CARE FROM OTHERS.

AND THE PERCENTAGE OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS THAT DON'T HAVE ANYONE VISITING THEM IS VERY HIGH.

THEY ARE DEPENDENT ON THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CARE THAT THEY RECEIVE IS MORE THAN ADEQUATE.

THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE NURSING SHORTAGES AND CNA SHORTAGES IN OUR NURSING HOMES.

WHILE THEY DO THE BEST THEY CAN TO GET THE WORK DONE THERE ARE DEFICIENCIES IN STAFFING IN EVERY NURSING HOME.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT CHALLENGE ALONE, CREATES A SITUATION WHERE THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME INSPECTION GOING ON.

AND THEN AS JOHN MENTIONED IN HIS ARTICLE, YOU KNOW, THE NURSING HOME COMPARE DEPENDS ON THE INSPECTIONS TO GIVE THEM RATINGS.

MY SISTER WAS JUST IN THE HOSPITAL NEEDING TO GO TO A NURSING HOME AFTERWARDS.

AND THEY DEPENDED ON THOSE RATINGS WE ALL DID.

WE COUNTED ON THOSE RATINGS TO BE ACCURATE TO PICK THE BEST NURSING HOME FOR HER.

IF THEY ARE NOT GETTING INSPECTIONS THEY ARE NOT ACCURATE.

>> Bill: MARK, 35 STATES INCLUDING KENTUCKY HAVE CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAWS WHERE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS HAVE TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE STATE FOR MAJOR EXPANSIONS OR NEW FACILITIES.

AND I KNOW THAT PROCESS IS BEHIND THE BATTLE IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW.

>> YES.

THIS IS ALSO A BIG DEAL THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMONWEALTH CERTIFICATE OF NEED AFFECTS HEALTHCARE IN RURAL AREAS.

AND THE FIGHT UP THERE WILL BE BECAUSE SOME VIEW THE REGIONS DOMINANT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AS HAVING A MONOPOLY.

THE HOSPITAL ARGUES THEY HAVE DOMENANT HEALTHCARE STATUS.

WE SAW LEGISLATION GET FILED THAT GOT FILED THIS PAST SESSION THAT ATTEMPTED TO REPEAL OR REFORM IT.

AND IT THOSE IN FAVOR OF REPEALING OR REFORMING IT WANT TO SAY THAT IT WOULD BRING IN HIGHER QUALITY AND CHEAPER HEALTHCARE WHILE THOSE THAT ARE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING IT SAY THAT IF OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS COME IN THEY COULD CHERRY PICK THE SERVICES FROM COMMERCIAL INSURANCE PATIENTS AND LEAVE THE POORER FOLKS ON MEDICAID ALREADY STRUGGLING HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

>> Bill: MELISSA, IT'S INTERESTING, THE CON LAWS ARE POWERFUL, RIGHT?

>> THEY ARE.

AND THEY HAVE TAKEN A PROMINENT POSITION IN LEGISLATION IN THE LAST TWO SESSIONS.

LAST YEAR, IN THIS LAST SESSION THERE WAS A BIG DISCUSSION ABOUT BRINGING BIRTHING CENTERS TO KENTUCKY.

AND THE WITHOUT REFORM TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAWS, THAT IS JUST NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

AND THEN THE YEAR BEFORE THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RESPONSE TIME OF AMBULANCES AND THE NEED FOR SOME COMMUNITIES TO HAVE MORE SERVICES.

AND WITHOUT THOSE REFORMS, THAT IS ALSO UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN.

>> Bill: BUT YOU CAN HAVE A COMMUNITY TRYING TO GET A HOSPITAL PERHAPS TOGETHER AND THE COMPANY CAN SAY THEY ARE ALREADY SERVING THEM AND JUMP INTO THE PROCESS THAT WAY?

>> RIGHT.

IMPACTS ALMOST ALL HEALTHCARE.

>> Bill: INTERESTING.

THE PASSING OF STATE SENATOR JOE WRIGHT AT 82 SHOWS HOW MUCH THE KENTUCKY POLITICAL LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW DECADES A AS A DEMOCRAT HE WAS THE SENATE MAJORLY LEADER FROM 1976-1982.

HE WAS PART OF WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE BLACK SHEEP SCRAUD DRAWN A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS DEDICATED TO LEGISLATIVE INDEPENDENCE AND BEFORE THAT GOVERNOR'S USUALLY SET THE AGENDA.

AND AFTER FOUR TERMS IN FRANKFURT WRIGHT DECIDED TO WALK AWAY FROM POLITICS AND GO BACK TO THE HOUSE HE CALLED HOME FOR HIS ENTIRE LIFE.

JOHN READING SENATOR WRIGHT'S OBITUARY, WE SEE THAT A LOT HAS CHANGED IN THESE DECADES.

>> IT REALLY HAD HAS.

I WAS READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT GOVERNOR NUN IN THE LATE 60s APPOINTING A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HE NAMED THE LAWMAKERS WHO WERE GOING TO SIT ON THIS COMMITTEE AND SOME DID NOT WANT TO SIT ON THE COMMITTEE.

AND NUN SAID YOU ARE GOING TO.

AND IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE ANDY BESHEAR OR MATT BEVIN BEFORE HIM TELLING THE LEGISLATORS WHO WAS GOING TO SIT ON WHICH COMMITTEE BECAUSE OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT AND BETTER FOR IT.

AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE.

>> Bill: MARK WE KEEP WATCHING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A U.P.S.

STRIKE IT WOULD HAVE GLOBE AT IMPLICATIONS.

SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES CERTAINLY AND, OF COURSE, LOCAL IMPACT IN KENTUCKY WHICH HAS THE MAJOR HUB IN LOUISVILLE.

>> YEAH, THE HUB IN LOUISVILLE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES IN THE WORLD.

IF THAT WERE TO SCREECH TO A HALT I THINK WE WOULD SEE MAJOR LOGISTICAL ISSUES PARTICULARLY IN THIS REGION.

>> Bill: MELISSA, SOME KENTUCKIANS ARE ASKED TO RECONFIRM THEIR MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AND THAT IS RESULTING IN MANY LOSING THEIR COVERAGE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE SOME ARE NOT RESPONDING IN PART?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY LIGHT.

WITH THE END OF THE PANDEMIC RULES, STATES HAVE HAD TO DO WHAT IS CALLED A MEDICAID UNWINDING IN ESSENCE EVERYONE IS HAVING TO RENEW FOR THE MEDICAID ON A YEARLY BASIS.

AND IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS WE'VE HAD 150,000 PEOPLE NEEDING TO GO THROUGH THAT RENEWAL.

MORE THAN HALF OF THEM HAVE BEEN TERMINATED OR NO LONGER HAVE MEDICAID SERVICES.

AND OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ROLLS, MOST OF THEM IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO THE MAIL OR THE TEXT OR THE PHONE CALL OR THE PERSISTENT REACH OUT FROM THE CABINET.

SO THE ADVICE FROM THE CABINET AND THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS IS TO OPEN YOUR MAIL MAKE SURE YOUR ADDRESS IS CORRECT AND FILL OUT THE FORM.

>> Bill: IF YOU HAVE BEEN DROPPED CAN YOU GET BACK ON?

>> YOU CAN.

YOU HAVE 90 DAYS.

FROM THE TIME THAT YOU'VE BEEN DROPPED TO REAPPLY.

TO BE RECERTIFIED OR I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE WORD IS.

>> Bill: SCHOOL'S ABOUT TO START AND KENTUCKY IS LAGGING BEHIND OTHER STATES IN VACCINATION RATES.

>> IT SURE IS.

AND THERE WAS A BIG IMMUNIZATION SUMMIT IN THE LAST MONTH AND I LEARNED THAT KENTUCKY IS FAR BEHIND THE SURROUNDING STATES IN ITS VACCINATION RATES.

AND WITH SCHOOL STARTING, THOSE IMMUNIZATION RECORDS ARE REQUIRED TO BE TURNED IN AT THE SCHOOL UNLESS YOU HAVE CLAIMED AN EXEMPTION.

SO IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT.

IT'S TIME TO DO THAT OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY AND LET THEM DO IT.

>> Bill: IT LOOKS LIKE A STRONG YEAR FOR KENTUCKY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

U.K. AND EKU ARE EXPECTING RECORD ENROLLMENTS PUSHED WITH LARGE INCOMING FRESHMEN CLASSES AND RETURNING STUDENTS.

MELISSA THAT CAN ONLY BE A POSITIVE SIGN GIVEN THE EVIDENCE SHOWS COLLEGE GRADUATES DO WELL FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE.

ONE QUESTION IS WILL THEY BE GUIDED INTO SOME OF THESE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE SUCH WORKFORCE SHORTAGES?

>> WHERE I'M SEEING THE MOST ENCOURAGEMENT OF STUDENTS IS IN THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

MANY OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND THE AHECK'S, THE AREA HEALTH GROUPS ARE CREATING PROGRAMS FROM HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO EXPOSE THEM TO A LOT OF HEALTH CAREERS.

WHEN THEY GO INTO COLLEGE THAT THEY CAN GO WITH MAYBE A DECISION TO DO THAT.

LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, A BILL CREATED A FUND WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC DOLLARS TO CREATE SCHOLARSHIPS.

THERE IS DEFINITELY AN EFFORT.

>> Bill: AND JOHN, THE KEYS SCHOLARSHIPS GETTING A HAUL FROM THE LOTTERY JACKPOTS.

>> THE KENTUCKY LOTTERY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK MEGA MILLIONS AND POWERBALL ALONE RAISED $12 MILLION SINCE APRIL FOR THE KEYS SCHOLARSHIPS NOT JUST FOR HIGHER-ED BUT THE PROPRIETARY TRADE SCHOOLS AS WELL.

>> LINCOLN NYY REPORTS FASTER GROWING EMPLOYMENT CENTERS IN THE GREATER CINCINNATI REGION IS A LOT OF ACTION ON THIS SIDE OF THE RIVER RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK SO.

CINCINNATI HAS BEEN GROWING FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AND SOME IS STARTING TO TRICKLE ACROSS THE RIVER.

AND TWO OUT OF THREE OF THE CITIES ANDER LANGUAGER GOES INTO BOON COUNTY.

BOON COUNTY IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE REGION.

AND THAT AREA IS EXPECTED TO KIN TO GROW.

>> Bill: I KNOW MANY IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY HAVE BEEN MOURNING THE LOSS OF TWO TEENAGE BOYS WHO DIED IN AN ACCIDENT ON LAKE CUMBERLAND LAST WEEK.

>> IT IS A HEARTBREAKING SITUATION TWO BOYS IN THE FISHER FAMILY.

AND I THINK MOST KENTUCKIANS AND FOLKS IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY WITH SYMPATHIZE WITH THAT.

LOSING TWO CHILDREN.

AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THEM.

>> Bill: AND JOHN, SENATOR RAND PAUL'S BOWLING GREEN OFFICE WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE TODAY.

HIS OFFICE SAYS THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO OPERATE.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE KENTUCKY.

BUT THERE'S QUESTIONS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED?

>> BECAUSE OF THE WORLD WE LIVE IN THERE'S CERTAINLY CONSPIRACY THEORIES ON THE INTERNET HOW DID THE FIRE START?

I HAVE FAITH IN THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND UNTIL THEY FIND REALLY SOMETHING TO CONCERN ME I'M NOT GOING TO SPREAD STORIES OTHERWISE.

>> Bill: RIGHT.

LOUISVILLE HAS A NEW POLICE CHIEF.

SHE HAS BEEN SERVING AS THE INTERIM CHIEF AND SHE IS NOW THE CHOICE.

HER TOP PRIORITIES INCLUDE ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME, REBUILDING COMMUNITY TRUST AND ESTABLISHING CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR POLICING.

THAT IS "COMMENT ON KENTUCKY" THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK AHEAD.

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