Health care legislation carries particular weight here in the Commonwealth. High rates of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer affect roughly half of adults, impact our quality of life, lead to early deaths, and drive billions in annual health care costs. As policymakers, the legislature works with medical providers, advocates, and others to write laws that will help increase affordable access to quality care, as well as to promote early diagnosis and the innovation that leads to successful treatment.
Most health policies are considered by the House Health Services Committee, before making it to the House floor for the full body to consider. Here are some highlights of the measures that have cleared the House this session. Many are still making their way through the legislative process and their progress can be monitored through the legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
HB 2 would transform Kentucky’s Medicaid Program to improve health outcomes, streamline program operations and service delivery, strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability, reduce fraud, and align with new federal requirements.
HB 3 is one of the bills I sponsored this legislative session. It would ensure pharmacists are paid for providing routine, preventive, and chronic-care services they are already delivering every day in communities across Kentucky, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
HB 34 would add hematologic, commonly known as blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, to those eligible for death benefits paid to public safety and service personnel under existing statute.
HB 36 would allow Kentucky to join the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which would expand patient access to respiratory care, promote license portability, and address workforce shortages.
HB 48 is another bill I sponsored. It would modernize and streamline statutes governing Kentucky’s Board of Physical Therapy to improve clarity, readability, and understanding for both the public and licensed professionals.
HB 92 would allow Kentucky into the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which would expand patient access to care, promote license portability, and address workforce shortages.
HB 134 would create a position within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services dedicated to ensuring victims of sexual assault have access to specialized care. Under the provisions of the bill, a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) coordinator would focus on aligning the efforts of different state agencies and hospitals in order to increase access and promote standards in training and practice, provide technical assistance to build and maintain SANE programs, and collaborate with community partners and appropriate state agencies.
HB 141 would create guidelines for the Department of Education to develop high-quality Type 1 diabetes informational materials for parents and guardians of students.
HB 236 would move EMS training programs to the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services and repeals outdated training requirements.
HB 369 would include post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying medical condition for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
HB 385 would clarify that the state is responsible for non-elective medical care provided to patients of state-operated mental health facilities, even if the care is provided outside of the facility.
HB 419 would strengthen firefighter representation on the Kentucky Fire Commission and expand access to life-saving cancer screenings.
HB 455 would restrict the use of artificial intelligence by licensed professionals in therapy and psychotherapy services, such as licensed psychologists and licensed clinical social workers. The measure would not apply to religious counseling, peer support, or self-help materials and educational resources that are available to the public and do not purport to offer therapy or psychotherapy services.
HB 470 would extend the deadline for alcohol and drug peer support specialists to become registered to January 1, 2028.
HB 586 would clarify that sunscreen is not a medication and ensures that students can apply sunscreen at school.
HB 628 would allow Kentucky to join the Athletic Trainer Interstate Compact, which would expand patient access to care, promote license portability, and address workforce shortages.
HB 676 would direct the Legislative Research Commission to conduct a study to identify the best strategy to integrate electronic health data from across care and service settings to improve treatment, care, and quality of health care, as well as community and public health initiatives.
HB 689 would authorize a state-directed payment program enabling qualifying hospital-affiliated physician groups to receive enhanced Medicaid payments, which would leverage an estimated $29 million per year in federal funds without the use of state funds.
HB 713 would mandate steps, including annual reporting for health care providers to take in an effort to combat workplace violence for health care workers. Facilities would be required to provide training, maintain incident reporting systems, prohibit retaliation for good-faith reports, review incidents to improve safety policies, post warning signage, and provide follow-up support for affected workers.
HB 776 would modernize Kentucky’s Dental Practice Act, including strengthening regulatory consistency, and ensuring that patient care decisions remain under the authority of licensed dental professionals. The legislation would also update telehealth standards and permit the Board to designate trust and agency account funds for scholarships or education loan repayment assistance.
HJR 25 would declare Kentucky a Food is Medicine state and encourage state agencies to expand programs that use nutrition as part of medical care and disease prevention.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Amy.Neighbors@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(HD21 – News from the Office of Rep. Neighbors)