Bruce Lunsford

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William "Bruce" Lunsford (born November 11, 1947) is an American businessman from Louisville, Kentucky, and a Democratic politician.

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[edit] Early life

Lunsford was born in Kenton County, Kentucky. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1969. Bruce passed the CPA exam and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1970. In 1974, he graduated in the top ten percent of his class from Salmon P. Chase College of Law.

Lunsford was a member of the Army National Guard. After training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Fort Lee, he entered the United States Army Reserve at Fort Thomas, where he served for five and a half years.

[edit] Professional experience

His professional experience included serving as an accountant with Alexander Gant & Company; lawyer, Keating Muething & Klekamp, Cincinnati. He was the Kentucky Commerce Secretary in 1980 through 1983 in the administration of Governor John Y. Brown, Jr..

[edit] Vencor and Ventas

Lunsford was the founder of Vencor in 1985. He also served as Chairman of the Board for Ventas, Inc. A civil claims suit in 2001 outlined that Vencor knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, the military's health care program. The largest settlement under the civil False Claims Act based on failure to provide adequate health care at long term care facilities - part of the overall settlement with the government - was announced on March 19, 2001 by the Departments of Justice (DOJ), Defense (DOD), and Health and Human Services (HHS). Vencor Inc. - one of the nation's largest nursing home chains - and Ventas Inc. - a related real estate investment trust - were ordered to pay $104.5 million to the the United States. Failure of care claims accounted for more than $20 million of the $104.5 million False Claims Act settlement. The failure of care claims included false claims relating to inadequate staffing, improper care of decubitus ulcers, and failure to meet resident's dietary needs. The remaining portions of the $104.5 million settlement include more than $54 million for improper claims made on Vencor's hospital Medicare cost reports and more than $24 million for over-billing for respiratory care services and supplies. This settlement is the second largest False Claims Act settlement in a nursing home case. The Louisville, Kentucky-based health care provider and Ventas was to pay the government $25 million to resolve certain administrative non-fraud based Medicare claims. Vencor was separately to reimburse Medicare for other overpayments of approximately $90 million. The full Department of Justice Memo can be read at [1].

Vencor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1999; while many investors lost a great deal of money, the company's future was salvaged when a federal Judge, Mary Walrath, approved the company's plan to restructure. The release of Vencor from 18 months in Chapter 11 bankruptcy paved the way for the company's future under a new name -- Kindred Healthcare Inc. The restructuring saved a company at the time still operating 295 nursing homes in 31 states and 56 hospitals in 23 states, caring for 35,000 patients, with 53,000 workers.[1][2]

[edit] 2003 campaign for governor

Main article: Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2003

Lunsford ran for Governor of Kentucky in 2003.[1] Part of his campaign was the broadcasting of ads attacking his opponent Attorney General Ben Chandler.[1] In response Chandler ran television ads highlighting the abuse of elderly patients at facilities operated by Lunsford's company.[1] Lunsford dropped out of the race just days before the primary, endorsing unsuccessful candidate Jody Richards.

Lunsford later conceded that at the time of his withdrawal he realized that he was not going to be able to win the nomination in the primary.[1]

After the primary, Lunsford endorsed Republican candidate Ernie Fletcher.[1] After Fletcher won the election, Lunsford served as Chairman of Ernie Fletcher's transition team. Lunsford has donated thousands of dollars in political contributions to Fletcher and other Republicans such as congresswoman Anne Northup and to Mitch McConnell's re-election campaign. Anne Northup ran unsuccessfully against Fletcher in the 2007 Republican campaign for Governor.

[edit] 2007 campaign for Governor of Kentucky

Main article: Kentucky gubernatorial election, 2007

Lunsford was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 2007. His running mate was Greg Stumbo, Attorney General of Kentucky.[1] Lunsford lost the primary to Steve Beshear.[3] Lunsford won just over 74,000 votes (21%), beating former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Steve Henry and Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives Jody Richards, but finishing far behind winner Beshear's 142,000+ votes (41%).[4]

[edit] 2008 campaign for United States Senate

Main article: United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2008

On January 29, 2008 Lunsford announced he would run in the Democratic Primary in hopes of facing Mitch McConnell in the general selection for the senate.[5] He said he had been asked to run by Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and that he did not expect to spend the millions he had spent on his campaign in previous elections.[6]

On May 20, 2008, Lunsford got the Democratic nomination for US Senate. He had 316,763 (51%), followed by Greg Fisher’s 209,662 (34%).

[edit] Other activities

Lunsford is a thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder and a former member of the Churchill Downs Board of Directors.

Hart-Lunsford Pictures is a movie production company founded by Lunsford and partner Ed Hart.[1] In 2007, two films produced by the company were sold at the Sundance Film Festival. "Grace is Gone", starring John Cusack, won two awards there, including the Audience Award for Best Drama.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Lunsford-Stumbo for Change
  2. ^ http://www.majorcox.com/healthcare/cour-jour-010302.htm
  3. ^ LEX18 - Lexington, KY - News, Weather, Sports - Fletcher, Beshear To Face Off In Nov
  4. ^ Loftus, Tom. "Beshear's victory revives political career; Democrats: Late surge helps avoid need for runoff election", The Courier-Journal, 2007-05-23. Retrieved on 2007-07-17. 
  5. ^ Lunsford Enters Senate Race. WTVQ (2008-01-29).
  6. ^ Gerth, Joseph. "Lunsford to challenge McConnell; Lewis is out", Courier-Journal, 2008-01-30. 

[edit] External links