KVH Launches New Video Advocacy Campaign

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Feb 22nd, 2012

KVH Launches New Video Advocacy Campaign

KYvoices.com to provide real stories of Kentucky healthcare from patients advocates and providers

Kentucky Voices for Health launched a video advocacy channel today to further awareness of critical healthcare issues impacting Kentuckians.  Kentucky Voices: Promoting Better Health in the Commonwealth (www.kyvoices.com) features videos from real Kentuckians telling their healthcare stories in their own words.

KVH, a coalition of more than 250 health care organizations, individuals and advocates, has been at the forefront of major healthcare issues in the Commonwealth representing the concerns of the healthcare consumer.   

“Kentucky’s healthcare landscape is changing and it is important that the patient’s voice is heard loud and clear,” said Jodi Mitchell, Executive Director of Kentucky Voices for Health.  “That’s why we’ve collected a series of short videos from real Kentuckians—patients, advocates and providers—sharing their personal healthcare stories.”  

These videos tell real stories about a variety of current issues facing Kentucky healthcare consumers. They are personal reflections which highlight challenges with Medicaid managed care, concerns with general patient access to care and touch upon the core issues Kentucky Voices for Health is working on every day.  

“The mission of Kentucky Voices for Health is to advocate for the needs of the Kentucky healthcare consumer,” said Mitchell.  “That means our main priority is helping to ensure that all Kentuckians have access to the quality care they deserve.  This new video advocacy effort will ensure that legislators, media and the public can always hear firsthand about the healthcare concerns facing our state.” 

KY Voices will initially focus on stories about Kentucky’s move to Medicaid Managed Care along with certain other patient access to care concerns currently being discussed in Frankfort. 

“As Kentucky managed care system gets underway it is important that access to care, quality of care and efficiency and effectiveness in the system are maintained in the process,” said Rich Seckel, Kentucky Equal Justice Center and board member of KVH.  “Our priority is ensuring that the 560,000 Medicaid members affected continue to receive the best provider recommended health care possible, without unnecessary interruption or barriers to their care.”

KVH is monitoring the rollout of Medicaid managed care and seeking input from consumers as to their experiences, both good and bad.  KVH wants to hear from those who interact with the new system and will continue to work with the Cabinet for Health & Family Services (CHFS) and the managed care organizations (MCOs) to address concerns.  Those interested can visit www.kentuckyvoicesforhealth.org to provide input. 

“While we are encouraged by the willingness of CHFS and the MCOs to work with the health advocacy community, it is our responsibility to hold them accountable and to ensure that patient care, and not cost savings, remains the focus under the new system,” said Dr. Sheila Schuster, Director of the Advocacy Action Network and Chairperson of the KVH Board of Directors.

As Kentucky’s health care landscape evolves, KVH will continue its everyday mission of helping to build a healthier Kentucky.  Managed care is and will remain one of our top priorities.

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