Advocacy Action Network

This group was initially begun in 2000 to respond to federal threats to significantly cut funding from the federal level to state Medicaid programs. As initially organized, the Consortium worked on both federal and state funding issues, as well as focusing on the need for improved access to quality services. Out of the Consortium meetings grew a coalition with particular emphasis on assuring Kentucky’s children access to healthcare services through KCHIP, and a coalition with particular focus on long-term care issues. After a period of relative inactivity, the Consortium was reorganized and renewed in 2005, in response to the initiative of the Fletcher Administration to draft and file a “super waiver” transforming Kentucky’s Medicaid program. The membership of the Consortium, currently at 70 organizations, is open to any group which endorses the Consortium’s principles; there are no dues for members.

The Kentucky Medicaid Consortium endorses quality, affordable, accessible health care for all Kentuckians.

The Kentucky Medicaid Consortium set forth the following principles:
(As approved by its member organizations on 8/2/2005)

All Kentuckians should have access to high-quality, affordable, effective health care.

Government should ensure high-quality, affordable, effective health care to those Kentuckians who, because of poverty status and/or disability, are unable to access health care.

There should be sufficient revenues to support the health care program. We support a system based on the most efficient use of existing resources, and generation of additional revenue designated for health care to assure a quality, affordable, accessible health care program.

Effective oversight and management should be continuously implemented to assure the integrity of the program, the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse and to achieve increased administrative efficiency at all levels.

Implementation of cost-containment and cost-sharing measures should be grounded in evidence-based practices and should not create a barrier for individuals to access necessary care.

There should be inclusion of prevention, early intervention, recovery orientation, health education and promotion of healthy lifestyles in the health care program.

Consumer involvement, representation and protections should be in place which are sufficient to ensure a health care program that is responsive and accountable to the public.

The health care program provided by the government should be comprehensive in benefit structure so as to meet the physical, mental and oral health needs of Kentuckians.

The Task Force on Medicaid Cost Containment is charged with determining the major cost drivers for the Medicaid program and developing a strategic plan to address those cost drivers and identifies cost-containment strategies that may be implemented in the Kentucky Medicaid program.

The Task Force on Medicaid Cost Containment met on July 19, 2010 in Frankfort and again on July 20, 2010 jointly with the Medicaid Oversight & Advisory Committee. Below are the presentations from these meetings:

The task force will meet again on August 17, 2010 at 10:00 AM. Additional meetings are scheduled for Aug 31, Sept 7, Sept 21, Oct 18, Oct 19, Nov 15, Nov 16, and Dec. 3.

Thank you for your support and advocacy for issues affecting the Medicaid program in Kentucky!

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Adanta Group
American Cancer Society
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
The ARC of Kentucky
Bridgehaven
Brooklawn Youth Services
CARITAS Health Services
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Catholic Conference of KY
Cedar Lake
Children’s Alliance
Christian Care Communities
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center
Coalition for the Homeless
Communicare
Council on Mental Retardation
Easter Seals Western KY
Epilepsy Foundation of KY
Four Rivers Behavioral Health
GuardiaCare Services
Hazard/Perry County Community Ministries
The Healing Place
KCHIP Coalition
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
Kentuckians for Health Care Reform
Kentuckians for Nursing Home Reform
Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare
KY Assistive Technology Services Network
KY Assn of Adult Day Centers
KY Assn of Children’s Advocacy Centers
KY Assn of Marriage & Family Therapy
KY Assn of Private Providers
KY Assn of Regional MH/MR Programs
KY Client Advocates
KY Coalition of Nurse Practitioners & Nurse Midwives
KY Consumer Advocate Network
KY Council of Churches
KY Council on Developmental Disabilities
KY Disabilities Coalition
KY Health Care
KY Home Health Association
KY Mental Health Coalition
KY Nurses Association
KY Partnership for families & Children, Inc.
KY Pediatric Society / AAP – KY Chapter
KY Physical Therapy Association
KY Primary Care Association
KY Protection & Advocacy
KY Psychiatric Medical Association
KY Psychological Association
KY Self-Advocates for Freedom
KY Task Force on Hunger
KY Youth Advocates
Louisville Diversified Services
Mental Health Association of KY
Metro Louisville Office on Aging & Disabilities
Multi-County Clients Council
NAMI - Kentucky
NAMI Affiliates - Bowling Green,
     Danville, Hopkinsville, Lexington,
     Louisville, Madisonville, Northern
     Kentucky, Owensboro, Paducah,
    Richmond, Somerset, Winchester
National MS Society – KY Chapter
Office of KY Legal Services
Partners for a Healthy Louisville
People Advocating Recovery
Physicians for a National Health Program–KY
Quest Community Services
Recovering, Empowering & Advocating for Consumer Health in KY
Region IV HB 843 Planning Council
The Ridge Behavioral Health System
Rivendell of Kentucky
Seven Counties Services
Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
United 874K Coalition
Wellspring