GOV. BESHEAR: Pushing Affordable Care Act to make Kentuckians healthier

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's governor says he's pushing the Affordable Care Act because he wants to make Kentucky healthier.

"It will create 17,000 new jobs over the next eight years," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "It will bring about $15 billion in new economic impact into the state, and so we've stepped up and we've embraced it. And I just want to make sure those 640,000 uninsured Kentuckians and families get the care hey need at an affordable rate."

In just one week, nearly 175,000 people have gone onto Kentucky's health benefit website to review information about health insurance. Governor Beshear's office says nearly 7,000 of those people have purchased polices.

Applications have been submitted for another 15,000 people.

Last month, Beshear published an opinion piece in the New York Times saying opponents to get out of the way so he can help his people.