A bold promise was made by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear in June 2020 to ensure that every Black Kentuckian would be provided with health insurance.
This promise was a direct response to the deep-rooted racial disparities within health care that have been very visible and explicitly affecting the Black communities in Kentucky.
The Governor Beshear's campaign in fact addresses such inequities and
creates a plan to evenly distribute healthcare coverage among all the
residents.
Disparities in the State of Healthcare in Kentucky
There have been significant disparities in health among various populations of Kentucky and black citizens in particular, over a long period.
The Kentucky Center for Economic Policy has reports that Black people in Kentucky have higher incidences of chronic diseases, lower life expectancies, and fewer health care options available to them compared to the white race.
These disparities
comprehensively present health and social issues, geography, and systemic
barriers within the healthcare system.
Besides this,
the situation that unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic has left these issues
even more exposed and demands grant interventions targeting all communities,
having adequate healthcare.
Governor Beshear's Initiative
Governor
Beshear has outlined a strategy through which he plans to cover every Black
Kentuckian with health insurance. The scheme, among other things, is aimed at
the following.
1. Expansion of Medicaid
In his capacity as a governor, Beshear supported and spurred the effort to expand Medicaid in Kentucky. During his tenure, the state expanded Medicaid coverage by raising the income eligibility limit, thus, allowing more people to access healthcare services.
With this Medicaid expansion, it has been possible to
reduce the number of uninsured residents and also to improve health outcomes
for underserved communities.
2. Relaunch of Kynect
Kentucky Governor Beshear revealed the restart of Kynect, a marketplace for health insurance, in October, 2020.
This platform enables the citizens to find a
suitable insurance plan, apply for coverage and also finish their enrollment
without any hassle. The objective of Kynect's relaunch is to simplify the
process of registration and make healthcare affordable to all Kentuckians,
especially those who are socially disadvantaged.
3. Targeted
Outreach and Enrollment Efforts
Governor Beshear's administration is implementing targeted outreach and enrollment efforts with the understanding that many Black Kentuckians face barriers to accessing health insurance.
To this end, community-based education campaigns,
partnerships with local organizations, and assistance with the application
process have been organized so that individuals who meet the criteria are not
only aware of the coverage options but also can access them without difficulty.
4. Addressing
Social Determinants of Health
Governor Beshear's willingness to go beyond healthcare coverage for Black communities social determinants of health which are there. His administration has, therefore, focused on raising the educational level, housing conditions, employment rates, and road infrastructure among the various programs that they have injected money into since all these elements are essential for health improvement.
The governor is the leader of this movement that aims to change
these conditions and consequently, everybody will be healthier.
Progress and
Challenges
Lots of progress has been achieved since this plan was made public. The rollout of Medicaid expansion has helped bring down the rate of the uninsured in the Black community of Kentucky.
And the re-emergence of Kynect has also been
instrumental in the establishment of an easily accessible platform for users to
get health insurance. Moreover, drives focusing on targeted outreach have
generated more enrollment and awareness regarding health coverage programs.
But there are still some issues left. Although these attempts are going on, there is still a gap in health outcomes between the different races, and some people can't yet get rid of the obstacles on their way to receiving assistance.
The commitment
must be sustained so that these challenges can be overcome, and the promise of
health insurance to every Black Kentuckian can become a reality.
3. Targeted
Outreach and Enrollment Efforts
Governor Beshear's administration is implementing targeted outreach and enrollment efforts with the understanding that many Black Kentuckians face barriers to accessing health insurance.
To this end, community-based education campaigns,
partnerships with local organizations, and assistance with the application
process have been organized so that individuals who meet the criteria are not
only aware of the coverage options but also can access them without difficulty.
4. Addressing
Social Determinants of Health
Governor Beshear's willingness to go beyond healthcare coverage for Black communities social determinants of health which are there.
His administration has, therefore, focused on raising the educational level, housing conditions, employment rates, and road infrastructure among the various programs that they have injected money into since all these elements are essential for healthimprovement.
The governor is the leader of this movement that aims to change
these conditions and consequently, everybody will be healthier.
Progress and
Challenges
Lots of progress has been achieved since this plan was made public. The rollout of Medicaid expansion has helped bring down the rate of the uninsured in the Black community of Kentucky.
And the re-emergence of Kynect has also been
instrumental in the establishment of an easily accessible platform for users to
get health insurance. Moreover, drives focusing on targeted outreach have
generated more enrollment and awareness regarding health coverage programs.
But there are still some issues left. Although these attempts are going on, there is still a gap in health outcomes between the different races, and some people can't yet get rid of the obstacles on their way to receiving assistance.
The commitment
must be sustained so that these challenges can be overcome, and the promise of
health insurance to every Black Kentuckian can become a reality.
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