Much progress has been made with the House Bill 289, the Smoke Free Kentucky Act, during this legislative session. However, Representative Jim DeCesare from Bowling Green has filed an amendment that would allow “smoking rooms,” and exempt bars, private clubs and electronic cigarettes. This would compromise the strength of the Smoke Free Kentucky Act and we can’t let that happen. Legislators must hear from the majority of Kentuckians who support smoke-free workplaces and public places [...]

This week, groups across the country are recognizing the second anniversaryof the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its impact on children and youth. While there is much debate surrounding the ACA between honorable people on both sides of the party line, there are some facts which cannot be denied. Despite the debates, we know the ACA is positive for vulnerable children. Yesterday’s op-ed  in the Lexington Herald-Leader by Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth [...]

All children deserve a healthy start in life, which begins with their mother having access to early and frequent prenatal care. Women who receive appropriate prenatal care have healthier pregnancies and healthier babies. Unfortunately, not all women have the opportunity to receive adequate prenatal care. Nationally, the percent of women receiving prenatal care services early in their pregnancies has stayed stagnant in recent years, after a decade of consistent improvement. Between 2007 and 2009, 65 [...]