Kentucky’s state-based health insurance exchange, kynect, relaunches

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Governor Andy Beshear says he is trying to ensure all Kentuckians have access to health care.

Friday, Kentucky’s state-based health insurance exchange, kynect, was relaunched:

The governor says it’s quick, easy and affordable health care for everyone.

Governor Beshear says, as of 2019, 280,000 Kentuckians lacked health care coverage.

The governor says kynect will bring access to health insurance, snap benefits, childcare, job training and other state resources.

He says it’ll also save $15 million a year.

”My administration and I, personally, believe that quality healthcare is a basic human right, and never has the need for quality with the emphasis on quality healthcare been more evident than during the covid-19 global health pandemic,” Beshear said.

His father, Steve Beshear, first launched kynect in 2013 when he was governor under the Affordable Care Act.

In 20-17, it was dismantled by former governor Matt Bevin.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra says there are benefits to a local, born and bred program like this one.

”It can be tailored to meet the needs of that particular community and in the state of Kentucky,” Becerra said. “I don’t think anyone in Washington D.C. knows the state of Kentucky and its people better than the governor.”

While you can now look through plans on kynect, enrollment doesn’t start until November 1.

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