Kentucky governor commits to providing health care coverage to '100%' of the Black community

Democratic Gov. Beshear announced the plan after weeks of protests and what he thinks are health care inequalities exposed during the pandemic.

By Sophie Mann

Published: June 9, 2020 8:15am

Updated: June 9, 2020 12:37pm

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says his administration will address "systemic racism," starting with securing health coverage for all African-Americans residents in the state.

The Democratic governor made the announcement Monday when talking about how the coronavirus pandemic has exposed what he considers racial inequities in the state's health care system. Beshear said he'll come up with a plan to secure "100% coverage" for "every single individual in out African American communities" to address the inequities.

The governor also made statements addressing education efforts in the state and law-enforcement training. The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training is working to develop an eight-hour online course to address such issues as use of force, accountability and implicit bias.

Beshear said he doesn't think the eight-hour course is enough but that "it's a start."