Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, Inc. - a charitable, non-profit organization for the racing industry

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KENTUCKY RACING HEALTH & WELFARE FUND, INC.

A non-profit charitable corporation
Established 1978

Board of Directors:

Rick Hiles
Chairman

Dr. Randy Scheen
Vice Chairman

Burr Travis
Treasurer

Carol Hebel
Secretary

Dale Romans
Member

Donna Ward
Member

Robert P. Benson, Jr.
Counsel

Richard P. Riedel
Executive Director

Karen Pehlke
Deputy Executive Director

Erika Lowe
Director of Client Services

Elizabeth Alarcon
Director of Client Services

Manuela Hernandez
Client Service Coordinator

Ivania Perez
Client Service Coordinator

Diana Varon
Client Service Coordinator

422 Heywood Ave
Louisville, KY 40208-1324

Phone: 502-636-2900
Fax: 502-636-2955
Website: KYRacingHealth.org
Email: krhwf@kyracinghealth.org

Louisville Office Hours:

Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
by appointment only

Health benefits provided since 1978 - $51.8 Million

Kentucky Race Track Retirement contributions since 2001 - $7,087,500

The Kentucky Racing Health & Welfare Fund, Inc. is a charitable, non-profit organization that helps certain eligible individuals in the Kentucky thoroughbred racing industry who demonstrate need. It was founded in 1978. It provides benevolent funding toward the payment of medical, hospital, dental, vision and funeral expenses. It is not an insurance company. It does not provide insurance benefits. The information found at this website should not be construed as a policy and shall not be considered as an offer to extend assistance, benefits, coverage or payment.

The Fund provides benefits for off-the-job injuries and illnesses which are not covered by welfare plans, worker’s compensation, social security, public welfare, military benefits, veterans benefits or any other type of health, medical, dental or accident insurance.

Did you know that in 2024 the Kentucky Racing Health & Welfare Fund:

Provided assistance for 729 Kentucky race track licensees.

Assisted Kentucky race track licensees with health related benefits 1,108 times while paying 3,921 health related invoices.

Provided more than $1 million in health benefits.

Surpassed $50 million mark in total health benefits paid out since our inception in 1978.

Contributed $100,000 to the Kentucky Race Track Retirement Plan, bringing its total contribution to $7,087,500 in twenty-four years.

Signed up 295 eligible individuals to the Kentucky Race Track Retirement Plan; active membership as of December 31, 2024 is 571 licensees.

Sponsored the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center, which provided free treatment or medical services for 1,521 patient visits. The Health Service Center is located at The Old School, 422 Heywood Avenue, Louisville, KY 40208. Call (502) 636-2900 for hours of operation or to schedule an appointment. Click here for hours of operation or to schedule an appointment. Open all year.

Sponsored the Horsemen's Wellness Center @ Turfway Park, which provided free treatment or medical services for 134 patient visits. The Wellness Center is located in the Horsemen's Hall in the same building as the Racing Secretary's office. Call (502) 636-2900 for hours of operation or to schedule an appointment.

The Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund Guidelines are subject to change without notice. The Board of Directors serves on a voluntary basis and meets to consider requests at its own discretion. It is the applicant's responsibility to supply the Fund with the information necessary for the Board to give proper consideration of his or her request.

Our office is located at 422 Heywood Ave. (at the corner of 5th St.) just a block north of Central Ave. and Churchill Downs. Please come to the 5th street entrance. The 107 year old building that once was the John Heywood Elementary School has been transformed from a boarded up eyesore to a model race track worker’s resource center, known as “The Old School” (2004 Ida B. Willis Historic Preservation Award).

Located one block north of Churchill Downs, the facility has 40 modern one bedroom and studio apartments for race track workers who are 55 years and older or disabled, with income limitations. The building is also the home of the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, Inc., the Kentucky Race Track Retirement Plan, and the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center which provides free medical assistance for certain Kentucky Horse Racing Commission licensees.

MORE ABOUT THE OLD SCHOOL APARTMENTS >>

MORE ABOUT THE HEALTH SERVICES CENTER >>

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