[♪♪] >> OUR DEPENDENCE AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DOLLARS IN CERTAIN AREAS MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO THINGS IN THIS SESSION.

>> Renee: HEAR FROM THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HOW THEY THINK THE CHANGES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL COULD AFFECT KENTUCKY.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.

THIS IS ABOUT ALL OF US.

>> Renee: HOW WESTERN KENTUCKY IS EXPANDING ITS EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

>> COULD APPEAR SOMEWHERE ON A TICKET OR MAYBE EVEN IN AN ADMINISTRATION IN FUTURE YEARS.

>> Renee: AND GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR IS EVERYWHERE THESE DAYS AND NPR'S RYLAND BARTON TALKS US TO ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S POSSIBLE PLANS BEYOND FRANKFORT.

>> PRODUCTION OF "KENTUCKY EDITION" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET MILLENNIUM FUND.

[♪♪] >> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY EDITION" ON THIS WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH I'M RENEE SHAW AND WE THANK YOU FOR WINDING DOWN YOUR WEDNESDAY WITH US.

>>> THE 2026 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOESN'T CONVENE FOR ANOTHER EIGHT MONTHS BUT LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE ALREADY THINKING AHEAD.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, SENATE PRESIDENT ROBERT STIVERS AND HOUSE SPEAKER DAVID OSBORNE SPOKE TO COMMERCE LEX WHERE THEY DISCUSSED GOALS FOR THE INTERIM PERIOD, THE MEDICAID OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY BOARD AND HOW THEY SEE FEDERAL TRENDS HOW THEY SEE THE BUDGET MAKING IN FRANKFORT.

MACKENZIE SPINK HAS A LOOK AT THEIR REMARKS.

PROPOSED CHANGES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE KENTUCKIANS WONDERING HOW IT WILL AFFECT THEM AT THE STATE LEVEL ESPECIALLY THE CONCERNING PROPOSED CUTS TO MEDICAID.

ACCORDING TO THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, MEDICAID IN KENTUCKY COVERS ONE IN FOUR ADULTS AND FOUR IN NINE CHILDREN.

ROBERT STIVERS SAYS BUDGET DISCUSSIONS HAVE TAKEN THE FEDERAL PROPOSALS INTO CONSIDERATION BUT IT'S HARD TO BE PROACTIVE IN THESE SITUATIONS.

>> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE CAN'T CONTROL THAT.

WE ARE HAVING COMMUNICATIONS, BUT DEPENDING AND I WILL GIVE YOU THIS NUMBER I THINK IT'S RIGHT WE ARE AT A 70/30 MEDICAID MATCH.

30% STATE DOLLARS, 70% FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

65/35 COULD MEAN A BILLION DOLLARS DIFFERENCE IN OUR BUDGET.

SO IT DOES AFFECT US.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION EARLY THAT WE MAY DO A FEW MORE THINGS IN THE BUDGET.

OUR DEPENDENCE IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND DOLLARS IN CERTAIN AREAS MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO THINGS IN THIS SESSION THAT MAY BE IMPACTED IN A POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE WAY.

WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL WE SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF WASHINGTON.

>> WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB OF BEING PROACTIVE.

NOT WAITING FOR BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO REACT.

IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WITH THE FEDERAL FORCED DOWN WE MAY SEE IN FEDERAL PROGRAMS, UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PROACTIVE.

AND SO WE ARE SUBJECT TO BEING MORE REACTIVE AND THAT IS AN UNCOMFORTABLE PLACE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE KNOW WE BUILT A STRONG ENOUGH FOUNDATION, WE KNOW WE'VE BUILT A SIGNIFICANT AND SUFFICIENT BUDGET RESERVE TO HANDLE THOSE UNFORESEEN THINGS THROWN AT US.

>> REGARDLESS OF FEDERAL CHANGES, KENTUCKY'S MEDICAID SYSTEM IS UNDER THE MAGNIFYING GLASS.

THIS YEAR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY VOTED TO CREATE THE MEDICAID ADVISORY BOARD TO REIN IN THE SYSTEM'S GROWING COSTS.

THE LEADERS STATED THAT THE BOARD WILL BE UP AND RUNNING THIS MONTH.

>> MEDICAID IS OUR SECOND LARGEST BUDGET ITEM.

BUT IT'S SO MUCH LARGER THAN A BUDGET ITEM.

IT IS A ROBERT SAYS IT'S THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE TO A THIRD OF OUR HOSPITAL POPULATION.

WE'VE CYCLED 200,000 PEOPLE OFF OUR MEDICAID ROLLS IN THE PAST YEAR YET OUR EXPENSES HAVE GONE UP 6%.

NOT ONLY IS IT THE SECOND LARGEST BUDGETARY ITEM IT IS THE LARGEST AREA OF LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN DELIVERY OF THOSE DOLLARS.

IT DELIVERS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT SERVICES TO VAST MAJORITY NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMONWEALTH.

SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THOSE SERVICES THOSE DOLLARS ARE DOING THE VERY BEST THEY CAN POSSIBLY DO.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE CLIFFS FOR PEOPLE THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN THAT NEXT DOLLAR TAKES THEM OFF THE MEDICAID ROLLS.

BUT THAT GETS INTO WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE A SYSTEM THAT IS DISINCENTIVES TO GO TO WORK EITHER.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A SHORTAGE IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT IS BEYOND THE DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE HOW IT IMPACTS OTHER THINGS WITHIN OUR ECONOMY.

BECAUSE HEALTHCARE IS SUCH A HUGE PORTION, I THINK IT'S 15-18% OF OUR TOTAL ECONOMY BUT IT IMPACTS SO MUCH MORE OF OUR ECONOMY.

>> IN KENTUCKY, LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS THAT TAKE PLACE IN EVEN NUMBERED YEARS ARE DEDICATED TO THE STATE BUDGET.

SPEAKER OSBORNE SAYS THE WORK BEING DONE ON THE BUDGET IS DIFFERENT THAN USUAL.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, AN INTERESTING BUDGET THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A COUPLE OF THE CABINETS BACK TO ZERO BASED BUDGETING THE FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED IN A LOT OF YEARS, MAYBE EVER FRANKLY, NO TIME IN MODERN HISTORY HAVE WE ZEROED OUT BUDGETS AND BUILT THEM FROM SCRATCH.

AND AGAIN, THAT IS TO TRY TO FIND WAYS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT TO DELIVER SERVICES IN A MORE ECONOMIC AND PRACTICAL MANNER.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WORK BEING DONE TO PREPARE FOR THE 2026 BUDGET SESSION AND THE LEADERS SAY THE VARIOUS WORK GROUPS AND TASK FORCES THAT MEET OVER THE SUMMER WILL START THEIR WORK SOON AS WELL.

FOR "KENTUCKY EDITION" I'M MACKENZIE SPINK.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

AND THAT WORK THAT BEGINS IN THE INTERIM STARTS JUNE THIRD WHEN STATE LAWMAKERS GATHER IN COMMITTEES AND DISCUSS ISSUES TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE UPCOMING 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>>> A KENTUCKY MAN IS IN JAIL ACCUSED OF UPLOADING PICTURES OF WOMEN AND YOUNG GIRLS TO A PORNOGRAPHIC WEB SITE WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.

ONE OF THE VICTIMS IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAMARA HEAVRIN THE REPUBLICAN FROM LEITCHFIELD SAYS THE SUSPECT UPLOADED 18,000 PICTURES MOSTLY OF PEOPLE FROM GREYSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY.

WE ASKED HER IF THIS INCIDENT COULD LEAD TO NEW LEGISLATION IN FRANKFORT.

>> I WAS ACTUALLY MAKING DINNER ON SUNDAY NIGHT AND I RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND SCREEN SHOOTING THE FACEBOOK POST SAYING YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK THIS OUT TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A PHOTO.

I DID LOOK AND I FOUND SEVERAL PHOTOS OF MYSELF.

THEY WERE FROM MY PERSONAL FACEBOOK PAGE.

PICTURES OF ME AND MY MOM AT A PRAUD WAY SHOW.

ME AND MY DOG FROM OUR CHRISTMAS CARD.

IT IS A GRAY AREA HOW THE LAW READS THAT I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT'S FAIR GAME.

BUT IF YOU POST SOMETHING ON THE INTERNET, THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY LAWS THAT PROTECT PEOPLE FROM IT BEING PUT ON A PORNOGRAPHIC WEBSITE.

TWO YEARS AGO WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT REQUIRED USERS TO PUT IN THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBERS TO OBTAIN THE WEBSITES AND THIS WAS A WEBSITE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE THAT.

FROM MY FIRST GUT FEEL SOMETHING THERE IS A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW THAT ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE WEBSITES.

I WANT TO HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION.

WE CAN'T MAKE POLICY BASED ON ONE SPECIFIC INCIDENT BUT THIS ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A GROUP OF PEOPLE TOGETHER AND SAY ALL RIGHT HERE ARE ISSUES HAPPENING TO OUR FAMILIES.

ESPECIALLY AS CHAIR OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN I LIKE TO TACKLE THINGS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH YOUR KIDDOS.

AND ONE IS INTERNET SAFETY.

NONE OF US THAT WERE PUT ON THIS WEBSITE WE DIDN'T GO OUT AND SAY, WE'RE POSTING THIS.

WE POSTED IT TO SHARE WITH OUR FRIENDS OR FACEBOOK OR INSTAGRAM FRIENDS AND IT GOT TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.

IT WAS NOT PUT WHERE IT WAS MANTS TO GO ON THE INTERNET.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT CONVERSATION WE NEED TO BE HAVING WITH OUR FAMILIES ABOUT INTERNET SAFETY AND IT ALLOWS US TO HAVE A BROADER CONVERSATION WHAT ARE OTHER STATES DOING.

I'M HEARTBROKEN THIS HAPPENED IN MY COMMUNITY TO ALL THE WOMEN HERE, IT COULD HAPPEN TO MEN, TOO.

BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

AND UNLESS WE HAVE A HARD CONVERSATION ABOUT IT AND MAKE REAL POLICY CHANGES IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> Renee: THE SUSPECT IN THIS CASE IS FACING SEVERAL CHARGES INCLUDING PROMOTING A MINOR IN A SEXUAL PERFORMANCE, TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE AND DOZENS OF COUNTS OF STALKING.

ANYONE WHO THINKS THEIR PHOTO MAY HAVE BEEN ADDED IS ASKED TO CALL THE GREYSON COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>>> HOW MUCH DOES THE AVERAGE KENTUCKY TEACHER MAKE?

TWO RECENT REPORTS TRYING TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION ARE TAKING DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

LAST WEEK WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THE LARGEST LABOR UNION IN THE U.S.

IT FOUND THE AVERAGE PAY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHERS IN KENTUCKY IS A LITTLE MORE THAN $58,000.

RANKING THE STATE 42nd IN THE NATION.

BUT THE BLUEGRASS INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTION OR BIPPS SAYS SALARY ARE JUST THE START THE AVERAGE TEACHER IS ALSO COMPENSATED MORE THAN $35,000 A YEAR IN FRINGE BENEFITS LIKE PENSIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE, UP MORE THAN 60% SINCE 2006 ACCORDING TO THAT REPORT.

JIM WATERS PRESIDENT OF BIPPS SAYS WHILE TEACHER COMPENSATION HAS GROWN STUDENT SUCCESS HAS NOT KEPT PACE.

QUOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION SHOULD BE ABOUT PREPARING STUDENTS FOR FUTURE SUCCESS NOT PROPPING UP AN OVERFUNDED MEDIOCRE SYSTEM.

LARGE INCREASES IN SCHOOL FUNDING HAVE NOT TRANSLATED INTO BETTER STUDENT OUTCOMES.

END QUOTE.

AS WE'VE REPORTED HERE ON "KENTUCKY EDITION", KENTUCKY DEATH RATES FROM DRUG OVERDOSES DECLINED 30% FROM 2023 TO LAST YEAR.

YESTERDAY, OFFICIALS GATHERED IN FRANK FORWARD TO MARK THE GOOD NEWS AND ADVOCATE FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF RECOVERY SERVICES IN THE STATE.

>> BUT I WANT TO SAY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME TO SAY TODAY IS MY NAME IS BRANDON AND I AM A PERSON IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY.

[APPLAUSE] YOU SEE HOPE DOES NOT HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT.

IT IS BUILT ONE RELATIONSHIP, ONE COMMUNITY, AND ONE SECOND CHANCE OR FAIR CHANCE AT A TIME.

TODAY WE'VE HEARD ABOUT INCREDIBLE PROGRESS KENTUCKY HAS MADE A MEASURABLE, SIGNIFICANT DROP IN OVERDOSE DEATHS.

THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT REAL PEOPLE, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO GET TO LIVE TODAY.

THEY ARE HEALING AND BUILDING BETTER FUTURES BECAUSE OF KENTUCKY'S COMMITMENT TO RECOVERY.

>> AND WE'RE STARTING TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS.

WE TALK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY ALL WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER AND THAT IS WHY WE'RE SEEING THE DIFFERENCE, I THINK.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE, IT'S ABOUT ALL OF US.

EVERYONE OF US IN KENTUCKY AND EVERYONE OF US IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA KNOWS SOMEONE IF NOT MULTIPLE SOMEONES WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE DIFFICULTIES OF ADDICTION AND UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF US PROBABLY KNOW SOMEONE NOT FAR AWAY WHO HAS DIED FROM OVERDOSE.

>> THE ORGANIZATION HAS OVER 60 CHAPTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE BLESSED HERE IN KENTUCKY TO HAVE THE SERVICES AND THE BACKING OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GET US THE RESOURCES WE NEED SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SEE THE DECREASE IN NUMENTS.

A COUPLE YEARS IN A ROW WE HAVE SEEN THE NUMBERS GO DOWN AND THIS YEAR WAS 30% THAT IS A BIG NUMBER.

>> THAT WAS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

THERE'S LESS FAMILIES THAT HAVE TO SUFFER, 500 FEWER FAMILIES HAD AN EMPTY SEAT AT THE TABLE.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

BUT WE DON'T DECLARE VICTORY.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> WE DON'T NEED TO STOP WHAT IS WORKING.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INVEST AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE WORK.

>> Renee: THE ONLY DEMOGRAPHIC THAT SAW AN INCREASE IN DRUG OVERDOSES WAS PEOPLE AGES 75-84.

>>> NOW TO TREATMENT AND RECOVERY RESOURCES HERE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF WHICH THERE ARE MORE OF, EFFORTS ARE EXPANDING IN WESTERN KENTUCKY TO SERVE MORE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

OUR LAURA ROGERS TAKES US TO LIFELINE RECOVERY CENTER IN PADUCAH WHICH RECENTLY BROKE GROUND ON A NEW WOMEN'S CAMPUS.

>> I FEEL LIKE THE STIGMA IS STARTING TO BREAKDOWN.

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY THAT HAS STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION.

>> MANY OF THOSE STRUGGLING COME HERE TO LIFELINE RECOVERY CENTER.

A NONPROFIT FAITH BASED LONG-TERM REHABILITATION PROGRAM.

>> YOU CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS TO RID YOURSELF OF AKICKION BUT DEEP DOWN THERE HAS TO BE FAITH AND HOPE.

>> THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO ABOUT 15 DIFFERENT CLASSES A WEEK.

WE KEEP THEM BUSY.

>> THE LIFELINE MEN'S CAMPUS OPENED IN 2004 FOLLOWED BY THE WOMEN'S CAMPUS A COUPLE YEARS LATER.

>> INDIVIDUALS SAW THE NEED AND WANTED TO HELP WITH THE MEN'S CAMPUS AND IT WAS A TWO BEDROOM HOUSE DOWNTOWN.

>> THE MEMBER'S CAMPUS HAS GROWN TO A 46 ACRE PROPERTY IN BALLARD COUNTY.

>> WE ARE FORTUNATE AND BLESSED THERE IS A GROUND SWELL OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED TO HELP.

>> THEY RAISED $12 MILLION TO EXPAND THE WOMEN'S CAMPUS AS WELL.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH PAIN GOING ON WITH ADDICTION THAT PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP WANTING TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP OUT.

>> LIFELINE PURCHASED A PROPERTY TO UPDATE THE FACILITIES WHERE CLIENTS SPEND NINE MONTHS TO A YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU ARE THINKING OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN IN ADDICTION, 10, 15, 20 YEARS AND TRY TO GO THROUGH A 28-DAY PROGRAM SOMETIMES IT'S JUST ENOUGH TO OPEN THE WOUNDS BUT NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> LIFELINE WORKS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WITH COUNSELING AND GROUP THERAPY AND CLASSES IN ANGER MANAGEMENT AND PARENTS AMONG OTHERS.

>> JOBS FOR LIFE CLASS WHERE THEY LEARN HOW TO WRITE RESUME AND PRACTICE INTERVIEWS DO THEY NEED A DRIVER'S LICENSE, ARE THEY PAYING FINES ISSUES AND BARRIERS WE SEE A LOT WITH INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY.

>> THEY HELP CONNECT THE CLIENTS TO THE RESOURCES THEY NEED FOR SUCCESS INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT WHICH COMES IN THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE 25-30 EMPLOYERS THAT HIRE OUR CLIENTS ON A ROTATING BASIS BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL BE THERE ON TIME, DRUG FREE AND WE DO VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY.

TEACHING THEM TO GIVE BACK.

>> ASHLEY MILLER IS TOO FAMILIAR WITH THE CHALLENGES OF ADDICTION HER PARENTS SUFFERED FROM DRUG ABUSE.

AROUND THE AGE OF SEVEN I WAS HIDING THE PILLS UNDER MY PILLOW SO THEY WOULD NOT STEAL FROM ONE ANOTHER.

>> DESCRIBING HER CHILD LOOD AS CHAOTIC AND SHE FELL ADDICTION AS WELL.

>> WELL, THE LACK OF ATTENTION AND LOVE I WAS FEELING INSIDE AS A CHILD I THOUGHT WELL IF IT FIXED THEIR PROBLEMS MAYBE IT WILL FIX MINE TOO.

AT 14 I HAD MY FIRST OVERDOSE.

>> SHE MET HER HUSBAND AT 16 AND BECAME PREGNANT AND WAS IN AND OUT OF JAIL UNTIL 2013 WHEN SHE WAS COURT ORDERED TO LIFELINE.

>> I WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS IT WAS DIFFICULT THE MORE THEY FOUND OUT ABOUT ME THE MORE THEY LOVED ME.

IT CHANGED ME.

>> MILLER FOUND SOBRIETY AND IT FUELS HER PASSION TO HELP OTHERS.

>> I FEEL LIKE I OWE MY LIFE TO THIS PROGRAM AND IT SAVED MY LIFE AND IT SAVED MY MARRIAGE.

>> HER HUSBAND WENT THROUGH THE MEN'S PROGRAM AS WELL.

>> THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN OUR HISTORY WE WERE BOTH GETTING HELP AT THE SAME TIME AND GOD AT THE CENTER OF IT.

>> STORIES LIKE THIS THAT SHOWCASE THE IMPORTANCE OF LIFELINE'S CONTINUING WORK.

>> GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO WE ARE LOSING SIX PEOPLE A DAY IN KENTUCKY ALONE.

>> WHEN I JOINED HOW IS IT WE CAN BUILD SUSTAINABLE REVENUE YOU NEED TO FIND WAYS TO ADD THAT SUSTAINABILITY.

>> STEVE RETIRED FROM A CORPORATE CAREER USING THAT EXPERIENCE TO HELP LEAD LIFELINE'S STRATEGIC PLANNING.

>> WE WENT THROUGH NATIONAL ACCREDITATION.

AND STATE LICENSING, WHICH IS A VERY EXTENSIVE TWO-AND-A-HALF YEAR PROCESS.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE AND RAISE THE BAR ON EVERYTHING YOU DO.

AND THAT IS A GOOD THING.

>> THROUGH THAT PROCESS LIFELINE ACCEPTS INSURANCE AND MEDICAID FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

>> MEDICAID IS USED TO HELP THEM BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE TREATMENT PROGRAM AND HELP PAY FOR THE EXPENSES OF THAT PROGRAM.

>> THIS MEANS LONG-TERM TREATMENT WITH HOUSING AND MEALS ONLY COSTS THE CLIENT $3,000 OUT OF POCKET.

MUCH OF THAT COVERED BY FUNDRAISING.

>> THIS IS NOT INSURANCE AS AN ENTITLEMENT FOR LIFE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS A BRIDGE TO GET THEM FROM THEIR ADDICTION TO HEALING AND FROM HEALING THEN OUT IN THE WORKPLACE SO WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE THEY ARE EMPLOYED THEY HAVE THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE AGAIN RENEWED AND INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS.

>> SUCCESS LIKE ASHLEY MILLER WHO HAS WORKED AT LIFELINE FOR A DECADE NOW AT THE HELM OF A PROGRAM THAT CHANGED HER LIFE.

>> I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK FROM THE TIME I STARTED IN 2015.

I'VE GOT MULTIPLE MENTORS I GRADUATED COLLEGE.

I'M NOT STOPPING.

>> FOR "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" I'M LAURA ROGERS.

>> Renee: AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.

FOR MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE THEY HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM.

AND THEIR SOBRIETY SUCCESS RATE IS HIGHER THAN 60%.

LIFELINE RECOVERY CENTER NEW CAMPUS IS EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

YOU HEARD LAURA SAY "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AT THE END OF THAT PACKAGE AND THAT IS BECAUSE ON MONDAY NIGHT AND THE MONDAY PREVIOUS WE BROUGHT YOU HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RX AND ILLICIT DRUG SUMMIT FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

WE BROUGHT YOU THOSE HIGHLIGHTS ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND ON "KENTUCKY EDITION."

AND YOU CAN SEE THEM ON-LINE AND ON DEMAND AT KET.ORG/KYTONIGHT.

[♪♪] >> Renee: TIME NOW TO CATCH UP WITH RYLAND BARTON WHO IS AN OVERNIGHT EDITOR FOR NPR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Renee: IT'S BEEN A MINUTE WE'VE CONNECTED.

LET'S START BY TALKING ABOUT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR TWO ITEMS THE FIRST ABOUT MEDICAID.

HE WAS ON A CALL EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH OTHER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS WHO WERE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT POTENTIAL CUTS TO MEDICAID THAT WE KNOW REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON WANT TO MAKE ROOM FOR FOR THEIR TAX CUT PLANS AND CUTTING FEDERAL SPENDING WHAT WAS SAID AND WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR SAYING OF KENTUCKY ABOUT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT PARTICULARLY TO RURAL AREAS?

>> YES.

SO HE WAS SAYING THAT NOT ONLY WOULD IT LIMIT COMMUNITYS' ABILITY TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE IN RURAL PLACES AND ALSO HE WAS FOCUSING HOW IT WOULD AFFECT JOBS AS WELL.

RURAL PLACES ESPECIALLY IN KENTUCKY, TOP EMPLOYERS IS OFTEN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE SECOND IS THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM IF THERE'S ONE THERE AND THE ONES RELIANT ON MEDICAID DOLLARS.

SO HE WAS ON THIS PRESS CALL WITH THE GOVERNORS ALL DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS, KANSAS, NEW MEXICO AND HAWAII AND TRYING TO POINT OUT THAT THE CUTS PROPOSED BY THE REPUBLICANS AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD BE DEVASTATING TO THAT SYSTEM.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN EXACTLY WHAT THE FINAL VERSION OF THIS PLAN IS THE ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY AS WELL, WHICH IS CREATING SOME SORT OF WORK REQUIREMENT TO THE MEDICAID SYSTEM.

THIS IS SOMETHING WOULD CUT A LOT OF PEOPLE OFF OF THE MEDICAID ROLLS EVEN IN THE ESTIMATES, IF THERE IS A PATHWAY FOR SOME FOLKS TO STAY ON IT IS A PATHWAY FOR FOLKS TO BE REMOVED FROM IT IF THEY ARE NOT UP TO FILLING OUT THE PAPERWORK ON REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY JUST PASSED A BILL TRYING TO PASS -- TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THOSE WORK REQUIREMENTS AGAIN HERE.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR MATT BEVIN INITIATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM IF THIS MAKES IT THROUGH CONGRESS IT WILL EITHER BE SOMETHING INSTITUTED FROM A FEDERAL LEVEL OR MAKE IT EASIER FOR STATES TO GET THOSE WAIVERS TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO MENTION, TOO, TALKING ABOUT THE GOVERNORS, THIS IS A LEGACY ISSUE FOR HIM.

OBVIOUSLY HIS FATHER FORMER GOVERNOR STEVE BESHEAR EXPANDED MEDICAID IN KENTUCKY AND ADDED ABOUT IT'S 500,000 PEOPLE TO THE MEDICAID ROLLS THROUGH THAT EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY OF WHO CAN BE ON MEDICAID BASED ON HOW MUCH INCOME YOU MAKE.

SO HE IS CARRYING THE TORCH AND SOMETHING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING THEY CAN RALLY AROUND AND BE EASIER FOR THEM TO RALLY AROUND IT IF REPUBLICANS MAKE BIG MOVES IN THE BUDGET TALKING.

>> Renee: AND WE SHOULD MENTION ANOTHER KENTUCKIAN CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE IS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THAT IS IN CHARGE WITH OVERSEEING AND MAKING THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAID AND MEDICARE.

AND WE'VE TALKED TO HIM AND HE SAYS THERE'S STILL LOTS OF DISCUSSIONS BEING HAD.

A LOT TO KEEP OUR EYES ON ON THAT FRONT.

GOING BACK TO ANDY BESHEAR HE HAS BEEN BUSY MAKING THE TELEVISION ROUNDS AND ELSEWHERE.

AND SOME ARE SAYING THAT THE THAT SIGNALS HIS PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRATIONS.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS?

>> HE HAS BEEN MAKING THE ROUNDS ON THE PODCAST HE WAS ON JON STEWART'S PODCAST AND "FOX NEWS" DURING A SHORT INTERVIEW AND DELIVERING THE SIMILAR MESSAGE IN BOTH OF THEM AND ONES WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ESPECIALLY AS DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER LOSING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND THAT IS THE RETURN TO KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES TRYING TO FOCUS ON THINGS LIKE JOBS AND HEALTHCARE, BUT I THINK HE'S ALSO BEEN SAYING HE IS NOT JUST SHY AWAY FROM WHAT SOME ARE CALLING CULTURE WAR ISSUES.

YEAH, I JUST THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE HIS NAME BEING PUT OUT THERE AND DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO BUILD A BENCH HIS NAME COULD APPEAR ON A TICKET OR IN AN ADMINISTRATION IN FUTURE YEARS.

>> Renee: AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST YEAR DURING THAT PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE OF HIM BEING SOMEWHERE IF IT TURNED OUT A DIFFERENT WAY.

SPEAKING OF BESHEAR, THERE'S ALSO SOME RENEWED CONCERNS ABOUT THESE OUT OF STATE COMPANIES SECURING CONTRACTS FOR MEDICAL CANNABIS LICENSES IN KENTUCKY.

THERE IS A COMPANY USING A FACILITY OR BUILDING A FACILITY IN WINCHESTER AND CLARK COUNTY.

WHY IS THIS COMING UP AGAIN?

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

>> KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS AND A LOT OF THIS IS BECAUSE THESE CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED TO OUT OF STATE COMPANIES AND THAT IS THOUGH THE LICENSES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE AWARDED THROUGH A LOTTERY PROCESS.

PART OF THE ISSUE THE LICENSES ARE EXPENSIVE AND LENGTHY TO APPLY FOR.

AND IT IS A LOT EASIER FOR A BIG EXPERIENCED CANNABIS COMPANY TO PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER.

BUT ALSO PART IS THAT COMPANIES KENTUCKY PUBLIC RADIO HAS BEEN REPORTING THEY ARE USING SECRETIVE TACTICS TO OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE SOME OF THE LICENSES.

DURING A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT THIS FACILITY IN CLARK COUNTY, JOE ZONK ACAUGHT THE ADMINISTRATION IN AN AWKWARD MOMENT ASKING WHO OWNED THE LLC THAT OWNED THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY?

AND THE HEAD OF THE CANNABIS OFFICE SAID HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHEN IN FACT IT WAS THE CHICAGO BUSINESSMAN WHO LANDED THE CONTRACT TO OPERATE THE FACILITY WHO WAS RIGHT THERE AT THAT PRESS CONFERENCE.

PART OF THIS IS THAT KENTUCKY HEMP FARMERS WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD BE PART OF THIS THEY MIGHT GET SOME OF THESE LICENSES TO GROW AND OPERATE CANNABIS FACILITIES THEY HOPED THEY WOULD GET IN ON IT AND IT WOULD BE A BOON TO THEM IT HASN'T WORKED THAT WAY FOR THEM.

THE OUT OF STATE COMPANIES WERE ABLE TO FLOOD THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

AND TO ALLOW MORE SUCCESS THAN ANYBODY LOCALLY WAS ABLE TO.

>> Renee: RYLAND BARTON WITH NPR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE CHECKING IN WITH YOU THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS, RENEE.

[♪♪] >> Renee: FINALLY TONIGHT, POETRY CAN BE GOOD FOR THE SOUL NOT JUST READING IT BUT WRITING IT.

>> WRITING CAN GIVE YOU A VOICE.

AND I THINK ESPECIALLY POETRY BECAUSE IT TENDS TO BE SO DEEP AND PERSONAL.

>> Renee: LEXINGTON'S NEW YOUTH POET LAUREATE SITS DOWN WITH US TO TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO IN HER NEW POSITION.

YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THAT TOMORROW NIGHT ON "KENTUCKY EDITION" 6:30 EASTERN AND 5:30 CENTRAL WHERE WE INFORM CONNECT AND INSPIRE.

CONNECT WITH US ON THE WAYS YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, SEND US A STORY BY E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

AND LOOK FOR US ON THE PBS VIDEO APP THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART DEVICE AND PHONE.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

I'M RENEE SHAW HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND TAKE GOOD CARE.

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