July 4, 2025
Kentucky Republicans help pass the Big Betrayal Budget- Kentucky Republicans help pass the Big Betrayal Budget to give trillions in new tax giveaways to billionaires and corporations.
Kentucky has 35 hospitals shutting down, more than any other state, because Kentucky Republicans would rather give tax breaks to billionaires.
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Mitch McConnell
U.S. Senate
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Andy Barr
CD-06
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Brett Guthrie
CD-02
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Hal Rogers
CD-05
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Jamie Comer
CD-01
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Thomas Massie
CD-04
Massie didn’t vote for the big, ugly budget because he wanted more cuts to Medicaid!
⤴Medicaid Cuts Timeline
2025
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August 5, 2025
Health systems begin cutting services and staff- Kentucky health care facilities, like U of L Health, start canceling projects and cutting services and staff because of massive cuts to Medicaid.
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November 1, 2025
ACA Open Enrollment begins with higher premiums- ACA open enrollment begins with new, higher premiums.
2026
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January 1, 2026
Premium and tax credit changes; expansion funding cuts- Premiums shoot up by 75% for marketplace enrollees.
- Certain low-income patients no longer qualify for tax credits.
- Federal funding decreases for Medicaid expansion states like Kentucky.
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October 1, 2026
Federal funding decreases for emergency Medicaid services- Federal funding decreases for emergency Medicaid services.
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November 3, 2026
Midterm elections- Midterm elections (get out and vote!). Find your polling place.
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December 31, 2026
Paperwork burden increases- A huge increase in paperwork for enrollees kicks in, forcing nearly 1.5 million Kentuckians to prove they “deserve” health care more often.
2027
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January 1, 2027
Even more paperwork and health care barriers- Even more paperwork requirements kick in nationally.
- People kicked off Medicaid now blocked from getting subsidized market coverage.
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October 1, 2027
Deep provider tax cuts hit rural hospitals- Massive decrease in federal funding for rural hospitals through deep provider tax cuts.
- Kentucky hospitals — especially 35 rural hospitals at risk of closing — fire workers, cut services, and delay or cancel projects to stay open.ß
2028
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January 1, 2028
Fewer drugs eligible for Medicare price negotiation- Fewer drugs eligible for Medicare price negotiation, meaning Kentucky seniors pay more for essential medication.
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October 1, 2028
New Medicaid cost-sharing fees- Some Medicaid recipients forced to pay new cost-sharing fees for every health care service.
Recent News Coverage
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September 4, 2025 • USA Today
Medicaid expansion boosted these Appalachian counties. Will cuts deliver an outsized hit?
Read more
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September 1, 2025 • Washington Post
Medicaid cuts threaten rural hospitals — and access to maternity care
Read more
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August 5, 2025 • LPM
U of L Health delays South End birthing center “indefinitely,” citing Medicaid cuts
Read more
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July 29, 2025 • WKYT
Lexington recovery center closes due to funding cuts
Read more
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June 16, 2025 • LPM
Proposed Medicaid cuts could devastate Appalachian Kentucky, health care providers say
Read more
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June 12, 2025 • WKYT
Proposed Medicaid cuts could put 35 Kentucky hospitals at risk of closing
Read more
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May 14, 2025 • NPR
Medicaid cuts will hurt families and cost GOP politically, says Kentucky governor
Read more
KY Democrats Medicaid Defense Media Tour
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August 14, 2025
Hazard, Perry County
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August 21, 2025
Louisville, Jefferson County
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September 4, 2025
Bowling Green, Warren County