LOUISVILLE, Ky. — We're two weeks away from the November general election, and Kentuckians are being bombarded with political ads -- particularly relating to the two candidates for governor.
With so many strong claims and accusations being made, WHAS11 worked to separate fact from fiction so you have the correct information when you go to cast your vote.
Disaster relief funding
THE QUESTION
Did Gov. Andy Beshear help raise more than a billion dollars in aid to communities impacted by natural disasters in western and eastern Kentucky?
THE SOURCES
- The Team Kentucky Relief Fund
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
THE ANSWER
WHAT WE FOUND
Gov. Beshear's campaign released an ad titled "EKY Trust" on Oct. 15.
The ad claims the governor brought more than $800 million in aid to communities impacted by the western Kentucky tornados and the eastern Kentucky flooding.
In a news release, Beshear's campaign doubled down, saying the governor "has already secured over $1.2 billion in disaster relief, including $828 million for those impacted by Western Kentucky tornadoes and $400 million for those impacted by the Eastern Kentucky flooding."
Beshear launched Team Kentucky relief funds immediately following both disasters. The goal was to help communities impacted by the devastating storms recover.
Together, both funds raised roughly $446 million from donations across the country. Beshear also secured $412 million when he signed state aid funding for emergencies or "SAFE" acts into law.
Another $152 million came from FEMA to help with housing, rebuilding costs and individual aid.
Add all this up and you have well over a billion dollars.
So yes, Gov. Andy Beshear did help bring more than a billion dollars for disaster aid.
Healthcare coverage
THE QUESTION
Did Attorney General Daniel Cameron say he would take Medicaid coverage away from 95,000 Kentuckians if elected governor?
THE SOURCES
- Kentucky Farm Bureau forum
- Cameron's economic proposal
- Cabinet for Health and Family Services
THE ANSWER
WHAT WE FOUND
Defending Bluegrass Values posted an ad, titled "Following", which targeted Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron. It claims Cameron would strip healthcare coverage away from 95,000 Kentuckians, if elected governor.
But did he say that, and is it true? The WHAS11 Verify Team can say that claim needs more context.
Here is what Cameron actually said during a Kentucky Farm Bureau forum in July:
"One of the first things I will do as governor is make sure, as it relates to able-bodied individuals, make sure that we apply with a waiver with CMS to make able-bodied participants coverage contingent on work requirements here in the Commonwealth."
Cameron said he would seek federal permission to impose the Medicaid work requirement. Here's what that would mean.
The Republican candidate hopes to require able-bodied Kentuckians who are on Medicaid assistance to prove they have a job or are looking for one.
Right now in Kentucky, more than 1.6 million people rely on Medicaid according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
Out of those people, 600,000 are able-bodied adults, and 43% of them are not working. This would leave over 250,000 Kentuckians who might not qualify under the stricter work requirements.
And if the income requirements don't change under Cameron's proposal, then a family of four would have to earn less than $41,000 a year just to qualify.
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