Research and Training
The Foundation completed its three-year targeted research study covering the period of 2010-2013 of the Commonwealth's transition to Medicaid managed care in early 2016. The study, conducted by the Urban Institute, with researchers from the University of Kentucky and Georgia State University, assessed the impact on beneficiaries, providers, health plans, and the state in terms of access, quality, cost and outcomes. Overall, the study indicates both potential improvements and some areas of ongoing concern in Kentucky's Medicaid managed care system. Given the significant changes to the Medicaid program that started in 2014 (beyond the study period), the study concluded that it will be important to continue monitoring the impact of Medicaid managed care on the various affected groups, particularly beneficiaries.
The Foundation contracted with the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) at the University of Minnesota to conduct a multi-year mixed-methods “Study of the Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Implementation in Kentucky,” to evaluate Kentucky’s progress in five domains: coverage, access, cost, quality, and health outcomes. The study tracked changes through January 2018, and includes comparisons of Kentucky metrics with the United States and other states. Second year reports include:
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Kentucky Health Issues Poll Highlights
Since its inception in 2008, the Kentucky Health Issues Poll (KHIP), an annual telephone survey of Kentucky adults, has asked opinions on a variety of health topics. Among the 2016 highlights, one-quarter of Kentucky adults said obesity was the top health issue for Kentucky’s children. This year saw the strongest support for a statewide smoke-free law with 71 percent of Kentuckians favoring of such a law. This support was bipartisan, with majorities of Democrats (76 percent), Independents (72 percent) and Republicans (68 percent) reporting support for a statewide smoke-free law. Fifty-eight percent favored a Kentucky law increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21 years old. Twenty-five percent of Kentucky adults said they have tried an electronic cigarette. Kentucky adults who reported delaying or missing needed medical care due to the cost remained steady for the third consecutive year; 22 percent of adults said they went without care. Nearly seven in 10 Kentucky adults reported knowing who to contact for services or treatment for depression (68 percent).
KHIP is co-created and funded in partnership with the Cincinnati-based foundation, Interact for Health.
KHIP issue briefs are available on our website and the full datasets are available on the OASIS website. For additional information about KHIP or to suggest a subject for future poll questions, please email our Community Health Research Officer, Rachelle Seger at rseger@healthy-ky.org.
Health for a Change
This training series of webinars and in-person workshops is designed to build the skills and expertise of communities and organizations working to improve health in the Commonwealth. In 2016, free Health for a Change events included four webinars and three in-person workshops covering topics such as 1115 Medicaid waivers, strengthening coalitions, fundraising, health impact assessments and working with the media. Health advocates representing 59 of Kentucky’s 120 counties participated in Health for a Change. The Health for a Change archives are on the Foundation’s website.
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Kentucky Health Coalitions Directory
The more we can work together and learn from each other, the better off Kentucky will be. The third edition of the Foundation’s Health Coalitions Directory launched in 2016 with nearly 300 groups listed. The Directory includes health coalitions from every Kentucky county. The Coalition Directory serves as a resource to health-minded advocates, funders and leaders, and is updated annually.