>> This impacts hospitals, but I have a big impact on world hospitals.

>> And play shun and other Lynn, Kentucky hospitals and the General Assembly passed legislation to help.

>> Then it made us feel so super special because it he had been president of the United States.

>> A Richmond woman recalls how a lack of the draw got her.

A new home and the chance to rub elbows with former President Jimmy Carter.

It's an amazing feeling first and foremost for the community and for our young men that are part of the team.

>> Happy homecoming for the state champions rebounding from last year's loss and the Sweet 16.

>> Production of Kentucky Edition is made possible in part by the KET Endowment for Kentucky Productions.

Leonard Press Endowment for Public Affairs.

>> And the K 18 Millennium Fund.

♪ ♪ >> Good evening and welcome to Kentucky EDITION for this Monday March.

The 20th, I'm Renee Shaw.

Thank you for winding down your Monday night with us.

>> Today Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 75 into law that begins tonight's legislative update.

♪ House Bill 75 is designed to inject federal funding into Kentucky hospitals by expanding the Medicaid hospital rate improvement program.

The move boost Medicaid payment rates for outpatient procedures performed at hospitals.

State Representative Brandon Reed of Hodgenville sponsored House Bill 75.

He said the bill builds on work that was done in previous legislative sessions.

Governor Beshear said House Bill 75 will help improve health outcomes across Kentucky.

>> HB 75 is aimed at improving asset access to quality health care for each and every Kentucky.

An as well as serving as a lifeline to rural hospitals, serving communities throughout our commonwealth.

With HB 75 now green access to hospitals to be reimbursed for outpatient services.

Hospitals will be able to harness federal resources while using no state funds.

This measure simply builds on legislation we improve in 2019 with represent a bam Carney in 2021 with HB 23.

We want to bring more jobs and good paying jobs across the commonwealth.

Like we're doing right now.

>> We've got to ensure that we have solid, reliable access to health care in each and every one of those regions.

>> A press release from the Kentucky House Majority Caucus said 38% of Kentucky's hospital facilities are in jeopardy of shutting down House Bill.

75 is designed to help.

There was an emergency clause in the legislation which means the bill will take effect immediately.

The Kentucky Hospital Association says this measure is desperately needed to help KET hospitals afloat.

It comes as rising supply, labor and drug costs as well as workforce challenges are proving difficult for the health care industry.

Our Laura Rogers has more on the support for House Bill.

75.

Kentucky hospitals are facing financial challenges last year 2022 was the worst financial year on record.

>> For our hospital since before COVID.

A report by national consulting firm Kaufman Hall found the median operating margin across the state at negative 2%.

>> As expenses, outpace revenue.

38% of Kentucky hospitals are at risk of closure.

>> Where hospitals are struggling now has fallen resist inflation in general to workforce challenges, too.

>> Advance seen equipment needs or other placement and technology that is very demanding and health care.

>> The Kentucky Hospital Association says amending the hospital rate improvement program will help.

>> Very, very much needed.

And especially.

>> We'll provide needed relief to our rural hospitals.

The program allows hospitals to draw more federal funds so that Medicaid reimbursements are closer to the commercial rate.

>> And it's really helped us be able to have money and to infuse into the hospitals to come back.

>> Inflationary pressures we have.

It has previously only included in patients care, but will now cover outpatient services as well.

This is critical to make sure that.

>> We're all hospitals as well as some of our hospitals are able to sustain the services and the level of service to have right now the serve Kentucky hands, but also the Medicaid patients.

We are though.

>> or care is moving to the outpatient setting is you have technology advances.

So that's going to be very, very critical for them to KET their doors open to maintain services in the community.

>> Equally important to maintaining those services navigating workforce challenges by offering competitive wages.

>> We are open 24 7, 7, days a week whether we see one patient or 1000 a day and we have to have the staff.

>> Medicaid reimbursements don't cover the full cost of care for those patients share.

It hopes that federal funding to make up for that will help East financial concerns for Kentucky hospitals.

>> This kind of get some fuel to get through that because the challenge and hospitals is weekend is razor rights.

You know, we have fixed rates.

>> Many without this change probably, you know, might not have been able to KET their doors open.

And at the end of the day, people need to realize that hospitals can have the finances to stay open.

You know, that's a loss of access.

>> We're Kentucky edition.

I'm Laura Rogers.

According to a press release from the Kentucky House Majority Caucus, Medicare and Medicaid represent more than 70% of the coverage for patients and rule hospitals.

>> The Kentucky General Assembly wrapped up their work before the Vita recess last week.

A number of significant and controversial pieces of legislation passed both chambers and are on the desk now of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, our Casey Parker Bell reports on the bills waiting for action by the governor and highlight some of the biggest bills to pass the Legislature before the break.

>> I move that the Senate adjourned until the hour of 12:00PM.

12 noon Wednesday, March 29th Year of our Lord 2023.

>> The Kentucky General Assembly is on break until next week.

But this week, Governor Andy Beshear will be making decisions on whether to sign some major pieces of legislation.

No decision will be more closely watched than whether Senate Bill, one 50 receives a gubernatorial veto.

>> Bills like this cause increased suicide in our youth.

We should not be passing any bill.

That would do that.

>> The wide ranging Senate bill, one 50 would ban transition services for trans youth restrict schools from discussing sexual orientation and will require schools to develop policies on fast for use.

The bill is one of the most hotly contested pieces of legislation this session.

>> This harms kids in every school in this commonwealth.

We're going to lose our kids.

>> We need to ensure that it surgery or drugs that completely alter their life.

And alter their body.

Is not something we should be allowed until they our adult it use it for themselves.

>> The General Assembly also passed several bills impacting the state's public school system.

One bill will change how appointments are made to the Kentucky Board of Education and it requires appointment of the state's education commissioner to receive Senate approval.

>> An education itself was created to be outside of the governor's office.

It was created to be an independent entity that would not be influenced by politics.

But yet we've seen that happen over and over again.

>> That is Senate bill 107.

Some are already speculating whether Education Commissioner Jason Glass received confirmation if appointed to serve a second term stabilization.

Another measure deliver to the governor is House Bill 5.38.

The legislation gives teachers more say over discipline in schools.

>> A student who is being chronically disrupt is.

>> Or >> abuses or harassing teachers or other students.

There's also not need to be in the classroom and HB 5.38. would allow school principals to place students.

They find disruptive to the class, setting an alternative learning.

>> Like virtual learning Senate Bill 5 would allow parents to contest school materials and library books.

The bill creates a process for parents to request obscene material removed from schools.

>> This bill's purpose is to guarantee the parents involvement.

To end their child's access to this material.

That they may believe is harmful to their family values.

>> Opponents to the measure calling Senate Bill 5 a book that the process will be principals and school board members in charge of determining whether material should remain in their local public school.

Legislators also passed measures to address problems with the state's juvenile justice system.

Reports of assaults and riots led to the passage of Senate Bill.

One.

62, which sets standards for emergency response at the state's juvenile facilities and House Bill 3, which appropriates more than 13 million dollars to reopen a juvenile detention center in Jefferson County.

>> Even though temporary safety measures are in place.

Djj remains in a state of crisis in many areas.

>> The governor hasn't made decisions on these bills yet.

But if any receive vetoes, the General Assembly will get a chance to take them back up next week if the governor.

>> Vetoes any of our excellent legislation that we have sent him.

We have the opportunity to override those bills on the last 2 days of the session.

>> The last 2 days of the legislative session our next Wednesday and Thursday, March 29th and 30th for Kentucky edition.

I'm Casey Parker Bell.

>> Thank you, Casey, for that report.

One bill that's already gotten the governor's signature last week was House Bill 5.94.

The bill outlaws what's called Gray gaming machines.

The slot like machines found in some convenience stores across the commonwealth.

It was signed just a few days after it was given final passage by the General Assembly.

The State Department of Education will hold a summit in support of LGBTQ+ youth.

This fall.

That announcement from Education Commissioner Jason Glass who was speaking out against the passage of Senate Bill, one 50, which bans gender affirming care for transgender youth among other items.

In a statement Glass called it, quote, sweeping and harmful piece of anti LGBTQ.

legislation end quote.

He goes on to say, quote, instead of addressing the real issues impacting our schools, the legislature expended its time and energy on this stitch together.

Bill taking aim directly at Lgbtqia.

Plus, people the bill contains provisions that will put our young people at risk.

Have the government interfere with decisions between doctors, patients and families and puts Kentucky at the front of a series of similar, hateful, ignorant and shameful efforts around the country.

End quote, Glass says the summit will take place in the fall.

Now House Speaker Pro Tem David Mead issued a response to Commissioner Glass a statement saying in part, quote, This only further proves that lawmakers are not pushing an agenda.

We are pushing back at administration bent on shutting parents out of important conversations about their children.

And we are committed to ensuring the people and institutions, our children depend upon our acting appropriately on their behalf.

He goes on to say, quote, as the commissioner of Education, Mister Glass's Focus should be on improving reading and math scores in order to prepare this generation of Kentuckians for future success, he should be working with educators and policymakers to find ways to help all children regain the learning lost.

When the governor close schools.

Instead, he's doubling down on his support of policies that put vulnerable children against their families and telling teachers that if they don't like it, they can find another job, end quote.

Well, tune in tonight on Kentucky tonight for discussion on the General Assembly's recent actions on LGBTQ+ issues.

Tonight you'll hear from Jennifer Berg pollen.

She's the mother of a transgender child.

She shares with us her reaction to Senate Bill one, 50 and how she says it will cause untold harm to kids like her child.

>> And from my perspective, a lot of the rhetoric around these bills has been about parents rights and I I just find that so offensive as a parent of someone who fully endorses embraces my kid and the choices that they're making.

But really what's just happened with this legislation is my kids.

Schools have been told that they don't have to respect my rights with respect to the pronounce my kid uses are the best from they want to use and and I'm not alone.

And that's a lot of parents feel this and that our vulnerable children are the ones who are targeted.

And we as parents, it's had rights taken away from us to protect our children in the way that we see fit.

>> Can you talk to us about Rick's journey and when they I have expressed to you that this is how and they identified and and hoped you would understand for parents who wonder like I don't understand it.

I guess said, were you ever there?

No, absolutely.

I you know, so this was >> evolution of weeks thinking about things between middle school and high school and they came to us and said this was a change they wanted to make about their outward presentation.

Also say from my parents, my husband's parents, it's been hard, but they recognize that the the most you don't have to understand what's going on with your kid.

I was so moved Representative Miller's testimony about his own experience as a grandparent.

It is not the responsibility of parents and grandparents always to understand exactly what's going on in our kids lives.

The reality is right.

That times change things are different than when we were in school.

It feels like my primary responsibility to support my kid and their decision.

So so absolutely when it first happened, we made mistakes with protons.

We made mistakes with names.

I would say that still happens less than our own house, but with other people talking to us about our kid.

But this year, we also got Christmas cards that were addressed to all of our family members by name, including Wick by name.

And that means a lot when your community and your family embrace the experiences of your kid.

I think it's a real showing of support.

We've had that in Lexington with our family, with our friends.

It sounds like that you and wake, you know, you found that community through the school to attend the school system through the school.

>> The educators there where they were embracing.

But we know that there are places where kids this can have perhaps a detrimental impact on how they view themselves.

And will Dana find themselves are and even their value?

Yeah, or their word for it.

>> The best provider, the best decision makers in the best providers of support are the people who are close to children, not people in Frankfort who by their own admission don't understand what's going on.

How many of them yesterday.

>> Said how many of them in the boat.

The session said they didn't understand.

They said they didn't understand.

Then they voted for Bill that that that harms children, that that that the medical association said harms children that the children themselves and their parents and family said would harm them.

And they voted for it anyway.

And it's very it's so disheartening.

>> We'll have more on this issue on Kentucky tonight this evening, including the story of a 21 year-old who regret their gender transition.

That's tonight at 8 Eastern 7 central right here on KET.

And of course, we always welcome your questions and comments.

So send them in.

♪ A new program is trying to get more.

Lexington resident hooked up to solar power by making it easier and cheaper to install solar panels.

The city of Lexington has partnered with the Kentucky Solar Energy Society to launch Solarize Lexington.

We spoke to Steve Ricketts of the Kentucky Solar Energy Society about how the program works and how people can get involved.

>> When he told to be without going.

there's a huge amount of interest.

But those 2 principal barriers that KET people away from it.

Why is it comes at a price it's the same price aside.

Putting a new deck buying a small car.

And the second is that a little bit afraid of its new technology.

It's a bit complicated made that are kind of knowledgeable off to make the poaching decision.

And, you know, so I've actually done tries to address both of those barriers.

What is down is actually club together.

All of the residents in the city and negotiate a 20% price discount off regular pricing for anybody in the city who is interested in it with a personal Shoppe as the tower in the city.

So nobody has to learn so left to then go and shop.

Read.

The job is done for you.

If people like the idea of solo, but they can apply through the city Solarize kind of Web page to say I'd like somebody to talk to me about this.

And then all they need do is present one copy of a utility Bill.

I'm provide us with a few Coleman location.

Details where all you how old is your roof?

And then the Kentucky Center and use it would do or screening the Ohio to make sure it's right for Salah with very KET to not guide people to who won't get the economic kind of benefits out of it.

So we do say not a good idea to some people, if the right candidate persona, we pass it on to the selected and stole a and it's worth pointing out that it's not just homeowners.

We really encourage small businesses, nonprofits, places of Yeah, it can get into this.

This was an idea we trial downloadable last year and we got nearly 100 homes come back to it work so effectively became.

But the biggest campaign in the U.S. and its very first year that we thought this is a wonderful mechanism to pick up the pace of soda can in a state level.

We saw nearly 1500 people.

Yeah.

Want to have that home to look at where already?

Well, over 100 in Lexington in just a few days.

So the intent here is to build an approach which any city and the county and the organization can pick up and use in their own area to speed up the adoption of solar.

And we've already had enquiries from from other cities to be added to the list next year.

>> Ricketts says Lexington isn't the only city looking to Solarize.

Frankfort will also be launching a program within the next few weeks.

♪ Almost 26 years ago door was at a salazar's life was changed.

>> The Richmond resident put her name in a drawing to receive a new home through an ambitious Habitat for Humanity Project known as hammering in the hills, which built 50 homes in eastern Kentucky in one week.

But Salazar's lock didn't end there.

One of the people building that new home, former President Jimmy Carter.

♪ >> There were 200 names in there as the jar.

Pulled my name now.

Said.

>> Oh, wow.

>> Is my house the building?

I have.

That's my house.

>> All these people came from everywhere.

And then we heard.

I know President Carter's having to help build your house.

Oh, yeah.

That.

Pulled a lot from my heart.

They need to be really exciting.

Somebody super special coming to build my house.

They introduced us.

Shook his hand.

Okay.

Then big smile and have thanking him for coming in the first place.

He was just like talking to you.

Him.

He was a regular person who he didn't.

Same to be.

So Heidi, Heidi, because he had been a president.

He he did some talking.

He did building.

He picked up a hammer and then they'll he pounded.

He measured.

He made sure things were level like they were supposed to be.

The didn't made us feel so super special because it was a he had been president of the United States.

And came to help build a We would have a safe Wolf over our heads.

They made us picnic tables.

>> And I have President Carter's signature on my picnic table.

Miss's Carter signature.

>> He.

Should be remembered as a great president.

And as a president who also showed he was a regular person.

Not just somebody that Ray in the country and signed bills for this and bills for that and top 2 people from this country and that country because he built habitat houses around the world.

He even went to other countries and built homes.

And as a man who was president of the United States.

Can pass a blessing along in helping somebody have a house.

I can do the same thing and it all of them with love.

>> Salazar ended up getting her neighborhood named Hammerin Hills and honor of Jimmy Carter's project and has gone on to help other families get placed and habitat houses.

President Carter entered hospice care last month.

♪ >> The boys state high school basketball champions return home to a hero's welcome.

>> Warren from the state tournament on Sunday.

>> They beat George George Rogers Clark, 64 to 62 clench the title.

It's especially sweet for the Dragons as they lost to the same team by one point last year.

>> It was great for That was a motivation.

You know, that we've got back on Sunday last year money that is ready to get back to work again.

You know how to hold him off a couple weeks.

What?

>> They're ready to get back to work in the whole season.

That's all they talk about.

>> It's a family affair for the coach as his side hit the last 2 free throws to help win the game.

School leaders say they're proud of the boys for bringing home the title.

>> It's amazing.

It's an amazing feeling.

First and foremost for the community and for our young men that are part of the team coach on sold hands down.

Best best coach I've ever seen in any sport he mowed sees boys and young men and they represent Warren Central everywhere they go.

>> A pep rally was also held this afternoon at the school.

So congratulations to the Warren Central Dragons.

The KHS Double-A boys, basketball Sweet 16 was held last Wednesday through Saturday at Rupp Arena.

We think of Thomas Edison as being from New Jersey, but he had a Kentucky connection.

And what was coach Rob salary his first year as Kentucky's coach?

Our Toby Gibbs has those answers.

And more at this look at this week in Kentucky history.

♪ >> Confederate forces struck Kentucky on March 20st 18.

64 burning the Rowan County Courthouse.

Rebel troops also invaded best county forcing union troops to flee the Bath County Courthouse.

March.

21st 19, 0, 6, The General Assembly passed and Governor Jay CW signed legislation creating the eastern Kentucky State normal school later, its name would be changed to eastern Kentucky University.

The University of Kentucky hired Adolph Rupp to become the men's basketball coach on March 23rd 1938, been a high school coach in Freeport, Illinois and was paid $2800 his first year at UK.

>> The great inventor Thomas Edison lived in Louisville for a time.

He moved there at the age of 19 on March, 25th 18, 66 to become a telegraph operator for the Associated Press one night while doing some experiments, he spilled sulfuric acid on his boss's desk.

His boss fired him and it isn't returned to New Jersey.

Happy birthday to Duncan Hines.

Born March, 26th 18, 80 in Bowling Green Hines became a traveling food critic visiting restaurants and recommending them in a popular book eventually wrote a newspaper column featuring recipes and started a baked goods company.

And that's what was happening this week in Kentucky history.

>> I'm Toby Gibbs.

>> Thank you as always.

To be gives Kentucky Senate hearings in an impeachment case involving a former Commonwealth's attorney again tomorrow, KET.

He will be in Frankfort covering the event and streaming it online.

Plus, practice makes perfect when you're learning anything that includes learning to be a teacher.

Well, show your program, the get student teachers into the classroom early to get them used to the school environment, teaching the teachers tomorrow on Kentucky EDITION, which we hope will see you 4, 6, 30 Eastern 5.30, central where we inform connect and inspire subscribe to our weekly Kentucky Edition email newsletter and watch full episodes and clips at KET Dot Org.

>> You can also find us on the PBS video app on your mobile device and smart TV.

Send us a story idea and public affairs at KET Dot Org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the loop.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I hope you'll tune in at 8 o'clock tonight for a very important conversation about Senate Bill.

One, 50, all seeing a few in the meantime, take good care.

Have a good night.

♪