Commonwealth of Kentucky
Office of the Governor
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contact:
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Kerri Richardson
Terry Sebastian
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Governor Beshear Signs SB 198
Measure Addresses Professional Standards for Diabetes Education
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 22, 2012) - Governor Steve Beshear today held a ceremonial signing of Senate Bill 198 that addressed some oversights in a law establishing licensure requirements for diabetes educators in Kentucky.
The legislation was designed to improve consumer protection, raise professional standards within the field of diabetes management and care and increase access to care.
Kentucky is the first state to require diabetes educators to be licensed, a move viewed as a step forward in the ongoing efforts to combat the country’s diabetes epidemic. Amendments to the original law, however, were necessary to ensure that the practice of diabetes education is protected under Kentucky law.
“Through this innovative legislation, we are raising professional standards for diabetes management and care,” Gov. Beshear said. “For years, our certified diabetes educators have worked diligently to assist patients with diabetes. By adding the licensure requirement, we are taking an important step forward in terms of recognition for the diabetes educator.”
SB 198 is modeled after the law that applies to dietitians and nutritionists. Specifically, it addresses the practice of licensed diabetes educators and the penalty for practicing diabetes education without a license.
Building on the original law that established licensure, the language in SB 198 allows for a clear definition of scope of practice for the qualified diabetes educator; helps establish the minimum quality standards for providing the service; and offers more protection for the patient with diabetes and the provider of diabetes education services.
Under the amended law, penalties and violations are Class A misdemeanors, as is the case with the dietitians and nutritionists.
“This is truly a step forward in the field of diabetes management and care,” said Dr. Steve Davis, acting commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health. “Not only are we raising professional standards and heightening recognition for those working in the field, we are improving standards for patients, as well. Ultimately, this will lead to better care and management of the disease.”
“Kentucky has made strong moves for action on diabetes, increasing the impact of talented, dedicated people, along with our systems without additional spending. The nation is moving to copy the new Kentucky models,” said Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, of Lexington.
“Once again, Kentucky is a national leader in diabetes solutions,” said Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, of Lexington. “The House and Senate have been completely united to make sure families facing diabetes have as much public support as possible.”
Professionals seeking licensure in Kentucky will apply to a board comprised of five people representing various stakeholders in the field of diabetes management. Additional continuing education, licensure fees and practicing standards will be required to maintain a diabetes educator license.
Diabetes educators are highly skilled professionals integral to the multidisciplinary diabetes care team. They counsel patients on how to incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into their life. They also help patients understand how their medications work, teach them how to monitor their blood glucose to avoid the risk of complications, and give them the ability to problem solve and adjust emotionally to diabetes.
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Follow Governor Beshear on Twitter @Govstevebeshear, read the Governor’s personal notes on his blog at http://governor.ky.gov/blog, and view his video commentaries at http://www.youtube.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kentucky Hospital Association
Elizabeth Cobb
Vice President, Health Policy
2501 Nelson Miller Parkway
Louisville, KY 40223
100 Kentucky Hospitals join the Kentucky Hospital Association’s new quality improvement program
Louisville, KY (May 11, 2012) — One-hundred Kentucky hospitals have joined the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) in an effort to improve patient care and reduce health care costs in the commonwealth. The hospitals’ goal is to reduce preventable readmissions and hospital acquired conditions (HACs) and to prevent unnecessary, early, elective deliveries.
KHA has been awarded a contract, in partnership with The Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET), an affiliate of the American Hospital Association (AHA), by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support the Partnership for Patients (PfP) campaign. PfP is a national initiative launched earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Through the PfP, KHA has established a hospital engagement network (K-HEN) to help hospitals identify ways to improve patient safety and share learning among hospitals across the state. The PfPs’ goal for this two-year project is to reduce preventable hospital readmissions that occur within 30 days of discharge by 20 percent and HACs by 40 percent (compared to 2010) by the end of 2013.
K-HEN will provide resources and expertise to build on evidence from research and pilot projects, as well as best practices, learning networks and other resources to address ten targeted areas:
1. Adverse drug events (ADE)
2. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
3. Central line-associated blood stream infections (CLABSI)
4. Injuries from falls and immobility
5. Obstetrical adverse events
6. Pressure ulcers
7. Surgical site infections
8. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) or deep vein clots
9. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)
10. Preventable readmissions
“Kentucky’s hospitals continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to improve patient safety and quality of care. KHA is very pleased that almost 80 percent of Kentucky’s hospitals are participating in K-HEN. There are nearly 2,000 hospitals participating nationwide, working with their state hospital associations in partnership with HRET, in 33 states. Out of the hospital associations involved, Kentucky has one of the highest participation rates with 100 of the state’s 131 hospitals signed up,” said Michael T. Rust, KHA president. “Our state’s participation in the hospital engagement network is the latest example of our ongoing effort to make care safer for our patients.”
“The commitment to patient safety and quality by hospitals across Kentucky has resulted in lives saved, fewer complications and reduced costs,” said Mark J. Neff, chair of the KHA Board of Trustees and president and CEO of St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead. “Participation in the K-HEN will do even more to improve care for our patients.”
Kentucky hospitals participating in the K-HEN include:
1. Baptist Hospital East
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2. Baptist Hospital Northeast
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3. Baptist Regional Medical Center
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4. Breckinridge Memorial Hospital
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5. Caldwell Medical Center
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6. Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital
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7. Carroll County Memorial Hospital
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8. Casey County Hospital
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9. Caverna Memorial Hospital
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10. Central Baptist Hospital
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11. Clinton County Hospital
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12. Commonwealth Regional Specialty Hospital
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13. Continuing Care Hospital
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14. Crittenden County Hospital
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15. Cumberland County Hospital
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16. Cumberland Hall Behavioral Health Services
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17. Flaget Memorial Hospital
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18. Fleming County Hospital
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19. Frankfort Regional Medical Center
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20. Frazier Rehab Institute
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21. Gateway Rehabilitation Hospital
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22. Greenview Regional Hospital
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23. Hardin Memorial Hospital
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24. Harlan ARH Hospital
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25. Harrison Memorial Hospital
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26. Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center
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27. HealthSouth Lakeview Rehabilitation Hospital
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28. HealthSouth Northern Kentucky Rehabilitation Hospital
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29. Highlands Regional Medical Center
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30. Jane Todd Crawford Hospital
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31. Jennie Stuart Medical Center
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32. Jewish Hospital
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33. Jewish Hospital-Shelbyville
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34. Kentucky River Medical Center
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35. Kindred Hospital-Louisville
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36. King's Daughters Medical Center
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37. Knox County Hospital
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38. Kosair Children's Hospital
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39. Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System
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40. Livingston Hospital and Healthcare Services
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41. Marshall County Hospital
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42. Mary Breckinridge ARH Hospital
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43. McDowell ARH Hospital
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44. Methodist Hospital
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45. Methodist Hospital Union County
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46. Middlesboro ARH Hospital
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47. Monroe County Medical Center
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48. Morgan County ARH Hospital
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49. Muhlenberg Community Hospital
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50. Murray-Calloway County Hospital
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51. New Horizons Health Systems, Inc.
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52. Nicholas County Hospital
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53. NorthKey Community Care
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54. Norton Audubon Hospital
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55. Norton Brownsboro Hospital
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56. Norton Hospital
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57. Norton Suburban Hospital
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58. Oak Tree Hospital
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59. Ohio County Hospital
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60. Our Lady of Peace Hospital
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61. Parkway Regional Hospital
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62. Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center
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63. Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center
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64. Pikeville Medical Center
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65. Pineville Community Hospital
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66. River Valley Behavioral Health Hospital
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67. Robley Rex VA Medical Center
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68. Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center
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69. Russell County Hospital
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70. Saint Joseph Berea
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71. Saint Joseph East
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72. Saint Joseph Hospital
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73. Saint Joseph London
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74. Saint Joseph Martin
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75. Saint Joseph Mount Sterling
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76. Southern Kentucky Rehabilitation Hospital
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77. St. Claire Regional Medical Center
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78. St. Elizabeth Edgewood
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79. St. Elizabeth Florence
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80. St. Elizabeth Fort Thomas
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81. St. Elizabeth Grant
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82. Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital
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83. T. J. Samson Community Hospital
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84. Taylor Regional Hospital
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85. The Brook Hospital-Dupont
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86. The Brook Hospital-KMI
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87. The James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital
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88. The Medical Center at Bowling Green
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89. The Medical Center at Franklin
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90. The Medical Center at Scottsville
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91. The Ridge Behavioral Health System
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92. Three Rivers Medical Center
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93. Trigg County Hospital
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94. Trover Health System
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95. Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center
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96. Wayne County Hospital
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97. Western Baptist Hospital
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98. Westlake Regional Hospital
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99. Whitesburg ARH Hospital
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100.Williamson ARH Hospital
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NEWS RELEASE from Cabinet for Health and Family Services May 3, 2012
Kentucky continues planning for state health benefit exchange
If upheld, Governor will create exchange by executive order
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 3, 2012)—Governor Steve Beshear today outlined the state’s ongoing efforts to prepare for the possible implementation of key provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The case regarding the validity of the ACA remains pending before the United States Supreme Court, and a decision is anticipated in late June.
If upheld, the state has only through the end of this year to demonstrate its readiness to run a health insurance exchange, or the responsibility will default to the federal government. Several interest groups representing employers, health care advocates, and citizens, including the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky Voices for Health, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield have expressed that the Commonwealth should not allow the federal government to operate the exchange for Kentucky.
Therefore, if the law is upheld by the Supreme Court, Governor Beshear announced today that he will issue an executive order to establish a Kentucky health benefit exchange. “While no one can predict what the Supreme Court will ultimately decide, it is imperative that the state prepare for any decision,” said Gov. Beshear. “The steps we have taken to date, and the planning process we are putting in place helps ensure the state is able and ready to follow the law, if upheld, and also guarantees we don’t have the federal government running our insurance market.”
The health benefit exchange, a requirement of the ACA, will facilitate the purchase and sale of health plans in the individual market, assist small employers in facilitating the enrollment of their employees in health plans, provide one-stop shopping by helping individuals enroll in health plans, Medicaid and KCHIP, enable individuals to receive premium tax credits and premium subsidies, and qualify small businesses for tax credits. Officials from CHFS and the Kentucky Department of Insurance will meet with insurers, providers, agents, consumers, employers and advocates in the coming weeks to solicit input on the development of a Kentucky exchange.
“The Commonwealth believes it is best positioned to operate an exchange for the full benefit of Kentuckians,” said CHFS Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “Kentucky understands the unique regional and economic needs of our citizens, as well as the health insurance needs of small businesses. We have existing working relationships with insurers, agents, advocates, health care providers and other business partners. By establishing a state-operated exchange, we can also better ensure coordination and integration of eligibility determinations and enrollment with the Medicaid program.”
In February, Kentucky received a $57.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue planning for and implementation of programs and systems required by ACA. These efforts include building an end-to-end eligibility and enrollment system to serve both Medicaid and exchange participants. The grant funds, along with a $50 million project in the recently enacted budget (HB 265), provide funding toward meeting the Medicaid eligibility requirements under the ACA. The most significant functionality requirements for health insurance affordability programs involve the Medicaid Program and relate to the expansion of eligible people and the associated simplified eligibility rules. Other requirements include easy, online access, real-time eligibility determinations, and enrollment for most Medicaid or KCHIP applicants, and the necessary interfaces with the Health Benefit Exchange. The grant will fund a significant portion of the state’s requirements with 100 percent federal funds, with the remainder of the requirements funded at a 90/10, federal-state matching rate.
Kentucky previously received two federal health insurance exchange planning grants totaling $8.6 million. These grants provided the necessary resources to conduct the research and planning needed to build a better health insurance marketplace and determine how exchanges would be operated. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act please visit www.HealthCare.gov.
