Health Care

Historically, many areas of the Fifth District have been underserved when it comes to medical and dental care. I have worked to increase access to health care services, reduce the number of uninsured individuals and families, and improve the overall health of people in southern and eastern Kentucky.

I have consistently supported programs that serve low-income rural residents.  For example, I directed $2 million in federal funding to help establish the Center of Excellence in Rural Health facility in Hazard.  Operated by the University of Kentucky, the Center provides academic and residency programs for students from Appalachia and other small towns while also providing an array of health services for area residents.  I also secured $750,000 to help build an outpatient service center at the Rockcastle Hospital and Respiratory care Center in Mt. Vernon. 

Tragically, Kentucky has the 4th highest cancer mortality rate in the nation, with the largest percentage of those deaths occurring in the Fifth Congressional District.  To combat this problem, I have partnered with the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center to create the Marty Driesler Lethal Cancers Project. Named in honor of my former Chief of Staff, who died in 2004 after a three-year battle with lung cancer, this first-of-its-kind healthcare initiative seeks to increase the early detection of and improve the survival rates for people with deadly cancers.

I have also worked to provide seniors with a voluntary Medicare prescription drug benefit.  In 2003, I supported the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, which provides much needed prescription assistance to seniors across the country.  Key improvements of the reform include a universally available prescription drug benefit and low-income assistance to help our neediest senior citizens.