Reducing medical malpractice lawsuits, reducing soaring health care costs and helping small businesses cope with the increased cost of employee insurance are targets on Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s 2006 legislative agenda. Fletcher told The Associated Press his legislative agenda includes pushing for a constitutional amendment on medical malpractice lawsuits.
“We’re going to be announcing some other initiatives as we move forward,” Fletcher said. “We’re working on those right now and we’re doing some final analysis and study.”
Friday marks the midpoint of Fletcher’s term. He was inaugurated as Kentucky’s first Republican governor in more than 30 years on Dec. 9, 2003.
Since May, Fletcher’s administration has been stymied by an attorney general’s office probe into allegations of state personnel law tampering. Thirteen current or former administration officials have been indicted on misdemeanor charges stemming from the investigation.
Fletcher has pardoned nine people and offered blanket amnesty to anyone who could be charged by the Franklin County special grand jury conducting the investigation.
Still, Fletcher says he’s ready to move on.
With the 2006 General Assembly opening next month, Fletcher said his administration is working out final details on other proposals to “move Kentucky forward.” While he declined to offer specifics, Fletcher said he would make them public during his annual State of the Commonwealth and budget speeches.
Attempts at offering voters a proposed constitutional amendment regarding medical malpractice lawsuits have failed in previous sessions. Fletcher did outline his plan, but said it was necessary for keeping doctors in Kentucky.
Earlier Republican-endorsed plans, which have had support of doctors and hospital groups, have called for allowing the General Assembly to limit patients’ financial awards for pain and suffering and punitive damages. The plans have been aimed at lowering the cost of doctors’ medical malpractice insurance rates.
Fletcher said there have been instances of doctors in Kentucky’s border cities moving their practices into neighboring states for lower malpractice insurance rates.
Fletcher said he’s also introducing a plan that would help more of Kentucky’s small businesses provide employees with health insurance benefits. Overhauling Kentucky’s Medicaid system also tops the list, Fletcher said.
“Medicaid reform is essential for the future of Kentucky,” Fletcher said.
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