Mountain Kentucky

For a quarter of a century, Eastern Kentuckians have gathered to discuss progress in their region.  Today and Tomorrow (Friday), they gather in Prestonsburg. This year’s East Kentucky Leadership Conference will compare the economies of two Appalachian states.  East Kentucky Leadership Foundation Director Bill Weinberg says studies show 70 percent of east Kentucky’s counties are distressed while only four percent are distressed in Appalachian Virginia.  The longtime east Kentucky activist says Virginia might have better education and infrastructure, but, in some ways, the differences are minimal.

Eastern Kentucky’s largest healthcare provider is suing the state and two major managed care operators (MCO) for failing to manage the new privatized Medicaid system. Appalachian Regional Healthcare, which provides a majority of the healthcare services to eastern Kentucky (locations noted on map), may soon lack adequate protection against high medical costs.

It was only a month ago that an outbreak of tornadoes barreled through Kentucky and killed 24 people. Only a month, but sometimes, for Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield, it seems as if more like six months have passed. So much has happened on the way to recovery, and so much more remains to be done, Westerfield said.