By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Millions of dollars are coming to Kentucky’s rural communities over the next five years, according to an announcement from Governor Andy Beshear’s office.
On Dec. 29, the governor’s Rural Health Transformation Plan was accepted in full by the Trump Administration, thereby securing $212.9 million “in funding to lessen the impacts of recent federal cuts and help support health care in Kentucky’s rural communities,” a press release stated.
The plan, which was crafted by Beshear and “health partners from across the commonwealth,” will help the challenges affecting more rural areas, including high rates of chronic conditions — which affect 17 percent of Kentuckians compared to the 11 percent national average — maternity care deserts and oral care gaps, emergency services and behavioral health, according to the release.
Bart Logsdon with T.J. Regional Health wrote in an email to Glasgow News 1 that the healthcare system has not received funds from the plan yet, but is “certainly hoping that T.J. Regional Health will benefit from the award in the near future.”
Awards were announced on Dec. 29. The funds are administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
“Health care is a basic human right, and it was a priority for me and my administration to submit this application and fight for funding to support our rural health communities – especially following the passage of devastating Medicaid cuts,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am proud our community-driven plan was accepted in full and now $212.9 million will help provide our fellow Kentuckians with the quality care they need and deserve.”
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