The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - A foundation plans to make wellness initiatives and access to medical care its top priorities in dealing with unmet health care needs across Kentucky.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky is funded by the state's $45 million settlement with Anthem Inc.

The foundation will focus on health education and wellness for children and families and access to health care, especially among uninsured, underinsured and rural populations.

The priorities were chosen based on suggestions from 11 community meetings attended by 350 people throughout the state this summer.

Rita Moya, executive director of the foundation, said she was surprised at how often the same topics came up.

People were interested in nutrition and fitness, especially for children, and preventing youth smoking and substance abuse, she said. They also were concerned about access to mental health services.

Laurel True, chairman of the foundation's 15-member board, said he thinks the state can solve many of its health care problems by encouraging healthy lifestyles and preventive medicine.

"I think people realize that we just can't keep throwing money at health care," Mr. True said.

The foundation will begin spotlighting communities that successfully address access and prevention in hopes that the experience can be duplicated, Ms. Moya said.

"Often, good models aren't shared," she said. "We don't want to reinvent the wheel."

The foundation plans to pursue legislation when it finds solutions that work, Mr. True said.

The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky was created to administer the $45 million settlement the state got after it sued Anthem over its 1993 merger with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kentucky.

The foundation is prohibited by law from spending the initial $45 million. It will use the interest from the 1999 settlement for grants and other initiatives.

The group won't give grants this year because the weak economy has flattened the fund's earnings.