Case information
As of 4 p.m. June 17, there were at least 12,995 coronavirus cases in Kentucky, 170 of which were newly confirmed Wednesday.
Gov. Beshear reported six new deaths Wednesday, raising the total to 518 Kentuckians lost to the virus.
The deaths reported Wednesday include a 71-year-old man from Clay County; a 90-year-old woman from Fayette County; and four women, ages 45, 87, 93 and 95, from Jefferson County.
At least 3,444 Kentuckians have recovered from the virus.
For additional information, including up-to-date lists of positive cases and deaths, as well as breakdowns of coronavirus infections by county, race and ethnicity, click here.
The Governor also shared a story of a remarkable recovery, as reported by WLKY.
PPE for Election Workers
Gov. Beshear directed his administration to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep voters and poll workers safe during Kentucky’s primaries next Tuesday.
The Governor’s office is providing 5,000 masks, 4,000 gallons of hand sanitizer, 5,800 face shields and 20,000 gloves for the June 23 election. The PPE will be distributed to all 120 counties.
Gov. Beshear, the Board of Elections and Secretary of State Michael Adams previously reached an agreement to allow Kentuckians to vote via absentee ballot ahead of the election to protect voters from COVID-19, but there will be in-person voting on Tuesday. To read the news release from earlier today, click here.
Health Care Exchange
Gov. Beshear announced Wednesday his intention to move the commonwealth back to the successful Kynect state health care exchange.
“We have been paying more over the last four years to get less. So today, I’m announcing that I’ve submitted a declaration of intent letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to transition to a state-based exchange beginning Jan. 1, 2022,” the Governor said.
The Governor said launching the state exchange will incur a one-time cost of $5 million for the system, with operating costs pegged at between $1 million and $2 million annually. He said that means the state system will save $2.8 million to $3.8 million the first year, and $7.8 million to $8.8 million annually thereafter.
“In the last four years, we moved backward in health care. The rate of uninsured and uninsured children grew,” Gov. Beshear said.
Gov. Beshear said a state-based exchange will provide benefits beyond avoiding the federal user fees. He said the new system would offer Kentuckians a reduction in premium costs; integrate with Medicaid, offering a single door to access coverage; allow greater flexibility and autonomy than the federal system; and keep control local, putting officials in position to determine the needs of Kentuckians.
Unemployment Insurance
Gov. Beshear provided an update on the state’s ongoing efforts to administer and process the unprecedented number of unemployment insurance claims brought on by the pandemic.
During the past two days, in-person unemployment insurance services located near the Capitol building has reached capacity. To continue helping Kentuckians with their insurance claims, in-person services will be provided Thursday, June 18, and Friday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services headquarters, 275 E. Main St. in Frankfort.
In order to provide service to those Kentuckians who have waited the longest on their claim, there will be a separate line on Thursday for those who filed a claim in March. On Friday, there will be a line for those who filed in March and April.
Additional times and locations for in-person services are being worked out. For more information from the Labor Cabinet at the Kentucky Career Center portal, click here.
Condolences for Congressman Barr
Gov. Beshear on Wednesday offered heartfelt condolences to U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and his family following the unexpected passing Tuesday of the congressman’s wife, Carol.
“My heart goes out to Congressman Andy Barr, someone I’ve known basically my whole life, for the loss of his wife last night,” the Governor said. “They have young kids, and a family a lot like ours. I’m thinking about them. You know, we’re people, and we should be people before we’re Democrats or Republicans. His loss, the family’s loss, just like the loss of all the families from COVID-19, is devastating.”