Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Holds Lunch & Learn with Kentucky Hospital Association’s Jim Musser

PIKEVILLE, KY (December 12, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch & Learn event on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, which featured guest speaker, Jim Musser, Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations for the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA).

The event was attended by representatives from Pikeville Medical Center, American Red Cross, Bluegrass Care Navigators, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH).

Lunch was generously sponsored by ARH.

Musser’s presentation focused on the economic impact hospitals have on local economies.  He explained that there are two facets to a local hospital: 1) it is a place of healing and 2) it is an economic engine that benefits the community. Musser explained that hospitals in the state of Kentucky employ 84,000 people and add $14 billion in revenue to the economy, which is more than the dominating industries of the state, bourbon and horses, combined. Hospitals not only create jobs for communities, but through payroll tax, also adds tax revenue to support infrastructure, schools, and more. Payroll distribution in Southeast Kentucky adds $346 million to the local economy. 

Musser also talked about KHA’s Food is Medicine initiative to bring greater access to better quality foods like fresh produce and locally grown proteins to our hospitals and grocery stores. By partnering with local hospitals and farmers markets, KHA seeks to provide people with healthier options because improved nutrition promotes a healthier lifestyle, better health, and long-term positive results for individuals and communities.

To conclude the presentation, Musser explained that Medicare reimbursement rates in the state of Kentucky are lower than the national average.  He stated that our hospitals are challenged with caring for older, sicker, and poorer patients than other states, yet we receive lower reimbursement compared to states like New York or Oregon. To combat this, Musser announced that KHA is partnering with Senater Mitch McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers to create the Appalachian Investment Project, which is an initiative focused on raising the Medicare reimbursement rate for Kentucky hospitals up to the national average.  They will also work toward alleviating food insecurity, while making sure there is access to fresh, healthy food options. Musser stated, “If we can get this investment in our human capital, we can move the needle and we can move it in a serious way…we think this will be a real game changer in Southeast Kentucky and across the state.”

“We appreciate Jim Musser and the Kentucky Hospital Association for the work they do to provide Kentuckians with access to quality healthcare,” said Jordan Gibson, President & CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber.  “We look forward to supporting their initiatives and programs which will benefit our local communities and economy.”

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.

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