FRANKFORT, Ky. - More than nine out of 10 Kentuckians now have health insurance, but supporters of health-care reform in the Bluegrass State fear a murky future as Republican Matt Bevin prepares to take office as governor on Dec. 8.

Bevin has said he wants to shut down the state's health-benefits exchange, kynect, and transition to the federal exchange. He also wants to roll back Medicaid expansion, which has added more than 400,000 low-income Kentuckians to that program.

To Sheila Schuster with the Action Advocacy Network, rolling back Medicaid "makes absolutely no sense."

"What do you say to people, 'You're not worth getting healthy, you're not worth taking care of?' We had such a good deal, but we're going to say no to it? It makes absolutely no sense," she said, "financially, economically, in terms of business, in terms of the growth of our state, in terms of the health of our state."

Bevin said his intent is not to cut people off but to customize Medicaid to Kentucky through a waiver - known as a "1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver" - of federal rules on eligibility and coverage.

Bevin has pointed to Indiana's model as an example of the direction he wants Kentucky to head. Medicaid recipients there pay either premiums or co-pays, sometimes both. Ashley Spalding, research and policy associate for the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, said that would tamp down access to health care.

"Research shows that even when premiums and co-payments are seemingly modest," she said, "low-income people are less likely to enroll, and they're less likely to seek needed care."

Gov.-elect Bevin said he isn't looking to make draconian moves. However, Spalding noted that tens of thousands of Kentuckians have received cholesterol screenings, mammograms and other types of preventive care since obtaining insurance through Medicaid expansion. She warned that rolling back expansion could slow down that trend.

"We could see fewer people accessing these preventive-care services," she said, "which, in the long term, we expect to increase not only the health of individuals but to increase the health of our state."


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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A new tool from AARP is designed to help veterans navigate the complex system of figuring out which benefits they may qualify for, and how to access them.

The Veterans Health Benefits Navigator has detailed health-care information from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Military Tricare, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance.

U.S. Army veteran Charles Williams, who's also on AARP Kentucky's Volunteer Executive Council, pointed out the resource will also aid new caregivers as they get up to speed on the options available for their veteran loved one.

"And they can pick up on a series of avenues and resources that direct them to what they're looking for," said Williams, "what they need to do, and how to get there."

According to AARP data, around 24% of Kentucky's more than 300,000 veterans have relied on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for health care, and about 7% are uninsured.

Find the benefits tool online at 'AARP.org/VetsHealthNavigator.' There's also a toll-free Veterans Health Benefits Assistance hotline: 877-222-8387.

With more than 340,000 veterans nationwide diagnosed with COVID-19 and nearly 15,000 deaths reported by the V.A. medical centers, Williams added that access to health care is a growing concern.

"I hope folks will go to that website I've identified," said Williams, "and take advantage of what is available to them."

Researchers estimate the cost of caring for post-9/11 veterans, through medical care and disability benefits, could reach up to $2.5 trillion by 2050.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 40% of veterans who served in the post-9/11 era qualify for disability benefits, compared to to fewer than 25% of those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam and the first Gulf War.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. -- A proposed merger between two hospital systems in upstate New York has some residents and health-care advocates concerned about the potential loss of certain types of medical care, including end-of-life options.

Albany's St. Peter's Health Partners and Ellis Medicine in Schenectady first announced their intent to merge a year ago. Ellis Medicine posted a $33 million loss last year.

Because St. Peter's is owned by Catholic system Trinity Health and is governed by certain ethical and religious directives, the merger could affect care options for people facing terminal illnesses.

Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion and Choices, a group which advocates for medical aid in dying, worries about the impact of the merger on patients and their families.

"The fundamental principle is that they should preserve life at all costs," Callinan explained. "For some people, this may not be an issue at all; it may be in line with their values and priorities. But we know a large portion of people do not want to suffer at the end of life, and want to have the full breadth of options that are available."

Callinan pointed out the merger could limit choices for families of people in the final stages of dementia or on ventilators. In a statement, the St. Peter's Health Partners system said it helps "countless patients and families navigate end-of-life decisions," but did not specifically address medical aid in dying.

Michelle Ostrelich, Schenectady County legislator and founding member of the Schenectady Coalition for Healthcare Access, which was created as a result of the proposed health-system merger, said the coalition has had private conversations about the merger with the health systems, but the groups have not welcomed public talks.

"Our community has supported Ellis for 100 years," Ostrelich emphasized. "Volunteers, taxpayer funds have all gone to support our community hospital. And they are obligated, frankly, to answer the questions from the public directly. They've refused to do that."

St. Peter's Health Partners said the New York State Department of Health is reviewing the Management Services Agreement for the merger, a two-year non-binding pact which allows the two systems to start working together. It said the two companies plan to update the community and share specifics in coming weeks, pending approval of the agreement.

HARTFORD, Conn. -- There are more than 200,000 military veterans in Connecticut, and a new tool aims to make it easier for them to access health care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

AARP's Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator launched this month. It is a user-friendly document explaining qualifications for certain health benefits, and how to start the application process.

Only 26% of Connecticut veterans have used their health-care benefits through the VA, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Nora Duncan, state director of AARP Connecticut, said the application process can often be confusing and frustrating, which can keep many veterans from accessing their benefits.

"We need to help get that information out there if they're not accessing care, because they don't know that it's available to them," Duncan urged. "The guide really talks about the navigation of the application process, which I hope helps people understand that they have more they can get to live healthier, happier lives here in Connecticut."

The navigator also provides information on how to get assistance applying for benefits with the help of a veterans service organization. According to a RAND study, nearly 60% of veterans are eligible for VA health care, but less than half of those eligible utilize their benefits.

Roberto Burgos, an AARP Connecticut volunteer based in Manchester, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 25 years. He said the process of finding and applying for VA health benefits should be as simple as possible.

"Veterans have worked hard and have dedicated their service and sacrifice to this country," Burgos asserted. "Having access to the right people who can provide the right information will allow people like me to be able to maybe see if there are VA health-care benefits that would be beneficial to us, especially as we get older."

AARP Connecticut plans to highlight the navigator on social media for Veterans Day, along with Caregiver Awareness Month in November, as the tool can be helpful to veterans' family members who are supporting them.