Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky recognizes Bill Wagner as Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award Winner for his dedication to expanding health care access
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 2, 2022) – The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky (FHKY) has named William (Bill) Wagner recipient of its 2021 Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award, for his work expanding access to medical care and health care coverage.
“Bill’s passion for bettering the health of Kentuckians is a perfect reflection of the spirit of the Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO, FHKY. “Dr. Friedell was a passionate advocate for access to health care. Bill’s 40-year career is a testament to his commitment to serving others by expanding opportunities for health care coverage and bringing medical care to underserved areas in rural and urban communities. He has made a profound impact on the health and wellness of countless Kentuckians.”
Wagner established primary care centers in Jefferson County focused on people who are low-income, homeless, immigrants and refugees. As chief executive officer of Family Health Centers, Wagner expanded medical services in these communities to include dental, behavioral health, pharmacy services, health education, outreach and enrollment services.
In addition, Wagner was instrumental in the development of Kentucky’s Medicaid expansion – from his influential work to develop the Kentucky Medicaid partnership in the 1990s, to the development of the Passport Health Plan, and expanding health care coverage through the Children’s Health Insurance Program. These efforts have provided health care coverage and access to medical services for hundreds of thousands of children and adults in Kentucky.
“It's an honor to receive the award,” Wagner said. “I accept it on behalf of all the health care providers who work so hard to provide medical care access in underserved areas of Kentucky – urban and rural. They’re the real heroes. I have great respect for them and working with them made my job so fulfilling.”
Wagner retired at the end of 2021, something he delayed because of COVID-19. During the pandemic, Wagner worked with non-English speaking communities to provide testing and education. When the vaccines rolled out, Wagner was at the forefront, helping with logistics, outreach, and education, most notably with the homeless population.
His health care leadership also includes shaping the next generation of social workers and public health professionals through his participation with the Kent School of Social Work and College of Public Health at the University of Louisville.
Gil Friedell Memorial Health Policy Award
Dr. Friedell was the first director of the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky and cofounder of the Kentucky Cancer Registry. He helped launch a nonprofit advocacy education organization in 2005 that later became the Friedell Committee for Health System Transformation. The Foundation created the Friedell Award when it united with the Friedell Committee in 2018.
Wagner and Dr. Friedell worked together in the mid-1990s to create a community partnership for breast and cervical cancer screening in Louisville’s west end.
“Kentucky already has one of the worst cancer death rates in the nation,” Wagner said. “But women of color, particularly in Louisville’s west end, had even higher death rates. We knew we had to address this disparity and pulled together to change what was an unacceptable situation.”
$5,000 Grant to Kentucky Voices for Health
The Foundation makes a $5,000 grant to a Kentucky nonprofit working to improve health policy in the commonwealth in honor of the Friedell Award winner. Wagner selected Kentucky Voices for Health. The nonpartisan coalition’s mission is to amplify the voices of individuals, families, and communities in the decisions that affect the health and wellbeing of all Kentuckians.
Wagner selected KVH because of his concern that many Kentuckians could lose Medicaid coverage they gained access to during the pandemic. “Having health care coverage is key to having access to medical care and living a healthier life. I’m concerned when the emergency measures for expanded Medicaid expire, we will have many folks who aren’t sure how to recertify or apply through Kynect. KVH can help fill those gaps.”
The Friedell Award winner is selected from each year's Healthy Kentucky Champions, a program that recognize Kentucky individuals making a difference in the health of their communities or state. Nominations for the 2022 awards are due by May 20, 2022. For more information and to nominate someone, visit Healthy-KY.org.