Kenny Colston

As the fallout continues from the announced departure of statewide Medicaid operator Kentucky Spirit, many other Medicaid operators are already looking to take their place. Kentucky Spirit announced last week they would break their contract with the state early. State officials say they won’t re-open those statewide contracts to replace Kentucky Spirit until the current contracts expire.

A group of GOP House candidates are encouraging one Republican leader to take a bold stance on a pension issue. Republicans Chris Hightower, Jason Crockett, Lynn Bechler, Bryan Lutz and Matt Lockett are all in competitive races for the state House this election cycle.

Governor Steve Beshear says he’s disappointed that one statewide Medicaid operator has announced it is leaving the state. Kentucky Spirit, part of Centene Corporation from Missouri, announced Wednesday that they would terminate their operations next July, before their contract is up.

Medicaid managed care operator Kentucky Spirit plans to terminate its contract with the state. Kentucky Spirit is one of the private Medicaid operators that took over the program for the state last year. The company encountered problems, however, and was in dispute with the state and doctors over reimbursement rates and other details of Medicaid operations.

A Super PAC that is helping defend Democrats is Kentucky state House races has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Kentucky Family Values is helping Democrats beat back the GOP’s attempt to take control of the House. And one month before the election, the group reported raising $236,000. It still has $190,000 cash on hand.