Beshear Announces Healthcare Policy Priorities

The Beshear/Coleman campaign has released their policy priorities, to expand health care access and options for Kentucky veterans. 

The policies that Andy Beshear is releasing today include a focus on helping veterans who are suffering from mental health challenges, especially in rural Kentucky where vital services are difficult to reach. The plan also addresses increasing flexibility for veterans who live long distances from health facilities and tackling substance use disorders. These proposals are in addition to the comprehensive health care plan that Andy Beshear released in March. 

"Our commitment to veterans requires that we fight for access to affordable health care. My comprehensive health care plan will lower costs, strengthen Medicaid, and codify protections for people with pre-existing conditions into state law," said Andy Beshear. "That will lift up all working families. But our veterans face unique challenges and they deserve a governor who will deliver them specific solutions to expand access and increase options." 

Gulf War veteran and State Representative Dean Schamore added, "I'm pleased that Andy Beshear is unveiling policies that will make it easier for veterans living in rural Kentucky to get the health services they need. As a Gulf War veteran, I've seen how difficult it can be for my fellow veterans to get health coverage and mental health services. I'm confident Andy Beshear will be a governor that looks out for veterans in western Kentucky." 

"These policy proposals once again show that Andy Beshear cares about fixing the challenges veterans face every day," said local veteran Janet Holliday, a retired U.S. Army Colonel. "Getting access to affordable health care continues to be a big problem in Kentucky. I trust he'll be a governor who puts us first and always fights so veterans get the care they deserve." 

Last week, Beshear released proposals to increase access to skills training and creating more good-paying jobs for veterans. As attorney general, Beshear developed a strong record of protecting veterans, including launching a Scam Alerts program to decrease the high number of veterans and military families that are targeted by scammers.

Here's how the Beshear/Coleman vision will focus on expanding health care access and options to those who served: 

•  Expand Access to Mental Health Services: Build on past successes and work with state and federal leaders to promote and expand telehealth services throughout rural Kentucky, starting with community mental health clinics.

•  Increase Flexibility for Veterans: Allow Kentucky veterans to take time off from work — unpaid and with advance notice to their employers — to access VA health care services. 

•  Peer-to-Peer Outreach to Handle Substance Use: Focus on promoting and expanding opportunities to connect veterans in Kentucky with other veterans to increase peer-to-peer outreach that can help tackle substance use disorders. 

•  Create New Veterans-Specific Medical Training: Ensure the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure adds a veteran-specific component to their Continuing Medical Education training to help make sure medical professionals are staying up to speed with the latest medical challenges for veterans. 

•  Secure Funding for Kentucky VA Facilities: Work with anyone across party lines and with Kentucky's congressional delegation to focus on securing funding for local VA facilities to increase access, address understaffing, improve the quality of care and shorten wait lists.