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Summer 2015 • Kentucky
lution, wells, sewage systems and inspections
of food and health facilities fall. In the second are disaster preparedness and response,
housing support and food assistance for
families. In the third are included specific
health screenings, vaccination programs,
contagious infectious disease monitoring,
family planning services and the HANDS
program providing guidance and care for
families with prenatal needs up to two year
olds.
New pressures on the community health
system have included marked increases in
HIV and Hepatitis C as evidenced in rural
Indiana and attributed to shared needles
in IV drug users. This was addressed in
Kentucky with Senate Bill 192 funding
needle exchange and now awaiting local
approvals.
As with much of medicine there has been
a major shift in financing in public health.
Mr. Lockard has noted 13 recent budget
cuts and with the Affordable Care Act has
seen further cuts in federal funds. To make
up deficits local health taxes have been
increased. Specific services are now being
billed directly to Medicare, Medicaid, VA
and to private insurances. Also more private
and federal grants are being sought.
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