Kentucky Medicaid on an Unsustainable Path

Bluegrass Institute to release study on 'unsustainable path' of Kentucky Medicaid spending




Medicaid is on an unsustainable path towards fiscal disaster, putting Kentucky's most vulnerable citizens at risk.

Today, 2 out of 3 children on Medicaid are denied appointments with specialists, compared to only 1 in 10 privately-insured children. Without essential, sweeping reform, Medicaid will continue wasting Kentucky’s resources on a grossly over expanded enrollee base while failing in its fundamental mission of providing access to health care for the truly impoverished.

As long as the current system holds Kentucky hostage, the only decisions remaining for policy makers will be how they want to mortgage the state’s future to accommodate the crippling burden of Medicaid.

These findings are highlighted in a new report by the Bluegrass Institute, entitled “An Unsustainable Path: The Past and Future of Kentucky Medicaid Spending.” The report will be released at a policy briefing on Wednesday, June 29, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 248 of the University of Kentucky’s Carol Gatton Business and Economics Building in Lexington, KY.

Co-sponsored by the Bluegrass Institute and the BB&T Learning Laboratory on Capitalism, the policy briefing is free and open to the public.

“I think the evidence suggests it’s time to turn to more fundamental reforms instead of piecemeal fixes,” said the report’s author, John Garen, Ph.D., Gatton Endowed Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky and a Bluegrass Institute adjunct scholar.

While total state and federal spending on Kentucky’s Medicaid program rose by a considerable 54 percent – from $3.3 billion to $5.1 billion – between 1999 and 2009, Garen projects future spending increases could rise more steeply.

Even without the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Kentucky could easily spend 70 percent more out of its General Fund by 2020, which could rise to 80 percent more with the mandated Medicaid expansion under PPACA.

“With a more market-based approach, we can better serve the truly needy while being careful with taxpayers’ dollars,” Garen said.

Learn more about Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions: BIPPS.ORG

RESTORE COMMUNITY.

I remember where I used to live, we would drive down the street in our community leading to our home and neighbors would wave hello. It seemed everyone that came down our little cul-de-sac would be greeted with a neighborly welcome and it genuinely felt like a community.

There was an era when we spent time on our front porch instead of our Facebook page, and when we would talk to our neighbors and have discussions about what was going on where we lived. It was not that long ago when we felt comfortable sending our kids out to play, knowing and trusting our neighbors would have a watchful eye on them.

Growing up, my dad would make me mow Miss Williams yard every week because she couldn’t do it herself. Neighbors helped neighbors and we had communities. God forbid, but if disaster hit our area – your community – are you prepared as a neighborhood to pick up the pieces? Do you even know your neighbors well enough to know who might need your help in time of crisis?

On June 25th the next inspiring and meaningful event will be in your backyard!!

We restored honor and looked at ourselves – now we RESTORE COMMUNITY.

We are asking YOU to reach out to your neighbors and those that live around you and host a back yard get together or block party of your own. It is easy to do and plays an essential part of bringing us back to our values and principles and restoration of the people and place we once were.

Your community
June 25th 12:00pm - ??
RSVP on meetup, freedomconnect, or Facebook

- Set a location for your get together (home, local neighborhood park, street)
- Tell us where you will meet (e-mail us, set up event on any social media site)
- Get the word out to your neighbors (go door to door with flyers, post signs)

It is that simple, and this will begin to fundamentally change the place where we live.

Learn more and get ideas of things you can do at: Restore Community

What happened to the days we use to be comfortable knocking on our neighbor’s door and asking for a cup of sugar. Let’s return to the people we were on 9/12/2001 when we were united as Americans. Please consider joining the movement to get to know those that live around you and restore values, restore our nation, and restore our community

Please consider getting involved and taking action to plan your own event on June 25th. This unique event will do wonders for the next steps we take together – but the first steps are up to you…

The Next Step

What are you doing?

What is next – for our nation, our state, FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?

At some point, standing up for what’s right has to take precedence over protecting everyone’s feelings – we are at that point! We have educated ourselves, we go out to events and rallies and become inspired and enlightened. But the time has come to get up out of the pews; the time has come where we need more missionaries of liberty. Start doing as our Founding Fathers did- discuss, verbalize, share ideas about principles and values.

Reach out to your neighbors, family, and friends. When you begin to exchange ideas and enlighten others, you will discover something amazing - you are not alone. The truth is we the people have not wavered and lost our way but it is those that were suppose to serve us that have. And the reality is that there are far more of us than them and we surround them.

You, me, our next-door neighbors, our friends, all play a part in our goal of restoring America back to the Principles and Values. Communication with your neighbors is vital to the process. Hold or attend weekly or monthly meetings in your neighborhood or town. Create ‘safe’ zones of learning, questioning and debating and start your own Liberty Book Club. Gather in living rooms, coffee houses or restaurants. Share your thoughts and ideas.

“Our power may be limited as individuals, but it’s limitless when we bond together.” – Glenn Beck


I a couple of days more information about the next inspirational event that may be in your back yard.

June 25th save the date and plan to be the answer. You are the key!!!

What is Next

What are you doing?

What is next – for our nation, our state, FOR YOUR COMMUNITY?


It may seem we are watching Rome burn and understandably you have feelings of frustration, anger, and isolation as you see nothing being done and no one else stepping up to help. I know it feels at times you have little control of what is going on around you and what the noise of the masses may say; but you can control yourself and the way you react. You are the only true thing you have power over and now more than ever you need to determine who you are to stand strong in what you believe.

Begin at your dinner table. I suggest that you start with yourself and the people in your own home. Educate yourself and discover who you are. Pray about it, talk to your family about your families Values and Principles. Discuss the importance of what the founders designed for America. Ground yourself and family first and foremost in these principles and talk about what is going on in our country and what it means to your family.

Start your journey to fundamentally transforming yourself first, then the restoration of your community will follow. It does not take great strength or insight, only courage to take the first steps to look honestly at yourself and ground you and your family in Values and Principles.

“The answer is you. Being your highest self. When you find you, your whole world is going to change. And together if we do this collectively, our country will change.” – Glenn Beck.


Stay tuned for information about the next inspirational event that may be in your back yard.

June 25th save the date and plan to be the answer. You are the key!!!

Louisville Stronger and Growing

New website, new meetups, new locations, ReValue America tour stop, and statewide conference all coming to Louisville…

Exciting things are coming together in Louisville. We are excited about the new energy and momentum building in the Louisville area.

ANNOUNCING: A new website focused just on the Louisville 9/12 Project and activities and information for your area. Louisville 912 group Thanks to the coordinators (Hat tip to Theresa) of the new and improved Louisville 9/12 project for putting this together and keeping up the new site!!! Please if you are in the area link to it and share it.

The next meeting of the Louisville 912 group will be June 27, 2011 at 7 pm at the Jeffersontown, KY library, 10635 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown , Kentucky.- Topic: Campaign finance laws vs. Free Speech. John Edwards is at risk of going to prison for violating the campaign finance laws; Tom Delay has been convicted and faces a prison term; a TEA party group in Northern KY has been threatened with prosecution for violating the law, and grassroots groups all over the country are finding themselves silenced. Is that what free speech means in America today? Greg Holmes, an attorney, will give a brief history of the issue. Richard Lewis will speak about his experience in running for U.S. Congress and of being charged with violating the campaign finance laws and his years of defending himself. Wendy Caswell, founder of Louisville TEA Party, will speak about what steps she had to take in order to comply with the law. The public is welcome.

9/12 Project Book Clubs

If we are wanting to create leaders in ourselves, our marriages, our families, our communities, which will lead to developing statesmen, we must not only read to learn, but also read to empower, educate, and enlighten. We all need to practice what we preach and just reading a book isn’t good enough anymore. We need to practice speaking about what we’re reading and then learn how to discuss, disagree, prove our point, be proven wrong and still stay joyful. You, me, our next-door neighbors, our friends, all play a part in our goal of restoring America back to the Principles and Values. Therefore, we need to create ‘safe’ zones of learning, questioning and debating. That ‘safe zone’ can be a local book club.

A local book club can be a wonderful way to get together with others you know or are in your area and a chance to share with like minded individuals. Understanding we all may need that little push (call it accountability) and direction and encouragement from time to time. These are just some of the benefits that are produced in your own personal local book club. Most of all beginning, or participating in a book club; you will make a difference to your family, your neighborhood, to say nothing about the difference you will make to your country.

But only if you set into play this idea and take that first step of personal responsibility and start your own personal local book club. If it is going to happen in your community it is up to you. Start doing as our Founding Fathers did- discuss, verbalize, share ideas about principles and values.

We have many resources available for you to start and run your own Liberty Book Club
- Learn more at Start your own
- FAQ
- Request information at membership@ky912.com

Coming This July??

You’ll Never Look at Education the Same Way Again!

Why Does it Matter?

The answers are coming.....



Self, Marriage, Family and Community

We Surround Them; Our Journey From Apathy to Action

April 18th is the official release of a new book We Surround Them: Our Journey from Apathy to Action which details our historic ride of the Kentucky 9/12 Project. We are excited and know that this is a truly special story that needs to be shared and we hope you agree and spread the word.


Authored by J Eric Wilson
Authored with R Justen Collins

With Foreword by Yvonne Donnelly

Copyright: 2010 Georgetown Grassroots Publications
ISBN/EAN13: 0615446752 / 9780615446752
Page Count: 186
Format: Paperback 6" x 9"
List Price: $14.92 (but get it today for 15% off)

Use this discount code to get 15% OFF: WQLBS9CA

(find it on any on-line book store (Amazon.com etc) or local bookstore. Or purchase at 9/12 Project On-line store)



The 9/12 Project is devoted to inspiring individuals and groups to connect their communities through education, service, and dedication to its nine fundamental principles and twelve core values. In doing so, the 9/12 Project reminds us all that we are not alone and that others are going through similar struggles in these turbulent times—but we can find a common path. From its inception to its current state, the 9/12 Project has gained strength by reinforcing that we will be the key—people who have triumphs, discover who they are, make mistakes, and find the courage to continue and to create change.

This is literally your book and is about your journey. Exploring the human side of the movement, this diary-style work is full of hope, insight, and the surging power of individuals like you, choosing to make a difference. These vivid firsthand accounts provide an opportunity to do more than just read some group you don’t knows history, but to relive your sacrifices and accomplishments.

Promoting personal responsibility, We Surround Them: Our Journey from Apathy to Action is the inspirational story of The Kentucky 9/12 Project’s members, your successes and failures, and the indomitable spirit of Americans unafraid of learning who you truly are as you restore the principles and values on which this country was founded. This is not a manifesto of partisan ideology, nor is it a theological exposition. We Surround Them is a fresh glimpse of hopefulness that the true spirit of “We the People” is not dead and has become the new American story.

Please consider adding this book to your personal library or reading list. This is that book that everyone in or out of the 9/12 Project or grassroots movement will want to pick up. We Surround Them: Our Journey from Apathy to Action is a first hand account of what you went through and about normal people that came together to discover that we were not alone and then went on to make a difference.

Thank You

There is no way this could have been successful without you. We've done a lot of things together (Water for Danville after the ice storm, two truckloads of stuff for the victims of the Pike County floods, 3,000 jars of peanut butter for Haiti), but this was a whole new level!

When I called Pods and asked them for one container because I knew we could fill it, the owner of the company called me back and said they wanted to send three and asked if we could fill all three of them. Before I could think, I just blurted out "yes, or course we can." (Typical of me to just start running my mouth right?)

When they arrived, my producer, Josh and I both wondered what we'd gotten ourselves into? These things were bigger than we expected!

But once again, the listeners and all the people you reached in your own circles came through. It was amazing to watch as car after car on a saturday streamed through. People smiling and working without even being asked. I can assure you that your giving has inspired many, many others to direct action - its gone viral.

As I always say, when individuals give, it doubles the blessing. Both the receiver and the giver are changed.

There are so many tragic stories from this situation, but after talking to folks on the ground in Alabama, I assure you, these people are not victims, they are survivors! We're extending a hand up and they are very thankful - but they are going about their recovery in a spirit of victory.

The most important thing we can do now is keep them in our prayers and thoughts.

Thanks again for your awesomeness!

Leland Conway
Account Executive and Show Host
News Radio 630 WLAP

*****


Very special thanks to Leland Conway from 630 WLAP for putting the disaster relief effort together. Thanks to Shannon, Niki, Lisa, and my wife Lydia for going that extra step. And most of all thanks to everyone that came out with items, gave support, or just offered prayers; Thank you!

Due to everyone’s efforts they filled all three PODS and with the amazing national support we raised will over $3,000 that purchased much needed supplies, items, and tarps to top the containers off before they left.

This is what it is all about. This was not a 9/12 thing; this was 9/12ers, tea partiers, and individuals working together. It was not about politics or religion but about compassion and people. This was about being the people we were the day after September 11th, 2001 when we were united as Americas helping one another, and praying for our fellow countrymen.

Their plight is far from over in Alabama though and they will continue to need our support. Especially in a couple of months when the news cycles are on to their next big story and the visuals have began to fade they will need our help even more. We will be planning something big this summer and please consider or plan to be part of it now.

Thank you again you all have proven yourselves once again to step up and help when the need arises.

Eric Wilson
Executive Director KY9/12