June 4, 2019 Issue 82
The 2019 General Election Field is Set

On Tuesday, May 21, the Primary Election was held, and Kentuckians went to the polls to select Democrat and Republican nominees for the Commonwealth’s six constitutional offices, including the Office of Governor. The General Election, scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, will see Governor Matt Bevin and his running mate, Senator Ralph Alvarado, M.D., square off against Attorney General Andy Beshear and his choice for Lieutenant Governor, Jacqueline Coleman. 

McConnell Introduces Tobacco 21 Legislation

On May 20, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced the Tobacco-free Youth Act, also known as Tobacco 21 legislation. If enacted, the bipartisan bill would raise the federal minimum purchase age for tobacco and tobacco-related products, including e-cigarettes and other vaping devices, from 18 to 21 and require states to enact their own laws raising the minimum age to 21 or risk losing federal monies tied to substance abuse. Senator McConnell stated that the legislation was in response to a significant public health crisis – the dramatic increase of youth tobacco use – which is supported by a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey that found, from 2017 to 2018, youth e-cigarette users increased by 1.5 million. 

In addition to raising the minimum age, the bill retains existing federal penalties on retailers who sell to underage buyers and allows states to enact laws with higher minimums. However, the measure does not include an exemption for military members. KMA’s statement in response to the introduction of the Tobacco-free Youth Act can be found here .
MSOL Grad Natasha Fraser Lives a Life of Service to Others

As the daughter of Pakistani immigrants—both physicians—Natasha Fraser feels fortunate to have the opportunities afforded Americans. So much so, she’s been on three medical mission trips to Honduras and two mission trips to Jamaica, where she helped build a school for deaf children.

“I grew up my entire life with community service being an important part of my life,” Fraser said. “Everyone can play a role in helping the community and making it a better place.” 

Kentucky Measles Update: What Kentucky Public Health and Healthcare Providers Need to Know

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Department for Public Health recently issued an update on measles in Kentucky.

The national picture, Kentucky's current situation, what to do when measles is suspected and who should be vaccinated are reviewed in this update.

MEMBER NEWS
Kennedy's Committee Receives First Joint Commission Sepsis Certification in Kentucky

KMA member Charles A. Kennedy, M.D. , hospital epidemiologist at Saint Joseph Hospital, Lexington, was featured in MD-Update magazine as chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program. Saint Joseph is the first hospital in Kentucky to receive Joint Commission Sepsis Certification.
Earnshaw Says Home-Based Palliative Care is an Innovation in Aging

KMA member Lori Earnshaw, M.D.,
a senior hospice and palliative medicine physician at  Hosparus Health , says community-based palliative care programs improve patient outcomes and quality of life, reduce symptom burden, increase survival and decrease healthcare utilization.
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