Simon Elfrink
Contributing Writer
selfrink@murraystate.edu
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Gov. Andy Beshear made an announcement on Wednesday, July 3 regarding $383 million allocated for rural hospitals in Kentucky.
The Governor’s negotiation settled a 13-year dispute about federal funding for Medicaid. With the assistance of McConnell, Beshear persuaded the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to initiate additional funding. According to Beshear’s claim, the settlement will end up receiving over $300 of government funding.
Beshear’s administration released a table documenting the specific distribution of funds in the release. Murray Calloway County Hospital is due to receive $4,006,044.
“The funding is much-needed relief to our rural hospitals and health care workers that have been on the front lines helping to fight the global pandemic,” Beshear said.
The dispute began back in 2007 and was revamped in 2013 following a lawsuit which claimed the methodology for acute care in rural Kentucky hospitals was inadequate. Claims from hospitals across the state propelled the case through the Franklin Circuit Court and the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and the case is currently pending before the Kentucky Supreme Court.
Pikeville Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Donovan Blackburn testified to the long-awaited relief that is due to come from the government funding. Blackburn publicly thanked Beshear and McConnell for their efforts to bring the overdue help back to rural healthcare facilities.
“I am glad to see actions that help preserve and protect Kentucky’s hospital infrastructure to enable hospitals to continue to provide vital health care access across the commonwealth,” Blackburn said.