Kentucky Health NewsGov. Andy Beshear vetoed several health-related bills during the veto recess, but the Kentucky General Assembly overrode them during the last two days of the 2026 legislative session, April 14-15.
Kentucky Medicaid Reform Act – House Bill 2, sponsored by Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, would align Kentucky’s Medicaid program with the One Big Beautiful Act that Congress passed last year. The bill only impacts those who are part of the Medicaid expansion population. Among many provisions, the bill would implement federal community engagement requirements for certain able-bodied adults. Other sections of the bill address cost-sharing, eligibility reviews, non-emergency transportation services, accountability for managed care organizations and delivery of dental services. Lawmakers amended the final version of the bill to better align with the federal implementation timelines. Line items were vetoed by Beshear on April 13. The veto was overridden and sent to the Secretary of State on April 14.
Obesity drugs and Medicaid – SB 65, sponsored by Sen. Stephen West, R-Paris, nullifies several administrative regulations deemed deficient by the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee, including a proposed Medicaid rule that would expand coverage for certain weight-loss medication — intended to treat diabetes — at the taxpayer’s expense. Beshear vetoed the bill on April 6. The veto was overridden and delivered to the Secretary of State on April 14.
Ibogaine research – SB 77, sponsored by Sen. Donald Douglas, R-Nicholasville, would create an ibogaine research and intellectual property fund to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. It would allow the department to partner with a drug developer to conduct clinical trials on using ibogaine to treat substance use disorders and other neurological and mental health conditions. Beshear vetoed the bill on April 13. The veto was overridden and delivered to the Secretary of State on April 14.
Medicaid oversight – SB 173, sponsored by President Pro Tempore David Givens, R-Greensburg, would create a new section of KRS Chapter 205 to define terms and establish an annual Medicaid state plan and Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program state plan legislative review process. Beshear vetoed SB 173 on April 6, calling it a “legislative power grab” in his veto letter. The veto was overridden and delivered to the Secretary of State on April 14.
The health-related bills that were delivered to the governor’s desk before the veto recess that started on April 2 were either signed into law or allowed to pass without the governor’s signature. Two health-related resolutions were passed during the last two days of the session. Here are some of those bills that have become law, along with the two resolutions:
Pharmacy care access – HB3, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, R-Edmonton, would require the state’s Medicaid program to reimburse pharmacists for providing the routine, preventative and chronic-care services they already deliver. This bill became law with the governor’s signature on April 13.
Prior authorization – HB 176, sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser, R-Taylor Mill, would streamline the prior authorization process for health insurance claims by creating exceptions for certain health care providers. This bill became law with the governor’s signature on April 13.
Veterans’ post-traumatic stress disorder – HB 369, sponsored by Rep. Scott Sharp, R-Ashland, would create provisions in state law that make veterans eligible to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy in response to post-traumatic stress disorder. Beshear signed the bill into law on April 13.
Health care workforce licensure – HB 459, sponsored by Moser, would require the collection of health care workforce participation data by health care licensing authorities and create a license portability framework for out-of-state marriage and family therapists seeking to practice in Kentucky.
Health data – HB 676, sponsored by Raymer, would require the Legislative Research Commission to conduct a study on the development of a Kentucky statewide health data utility; provide authority to the commission in carrying out the study; and require a written report to be submitted to the commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Health Services by Dec. 1. This bill became law with govenor’s signature on April 14.
Medicaid state-directed payment program – HB 689, sponsored by Neighbors, would provide the statutory authority for Kentucky to implement a Medicaid state-directed payment program for physician and non-physician professional services provided through qualifying hospital-affiliated groups, pending federal approval. Medicaid state-directed payment programs are designed to enhance Medicaid reimbursement, helping support providers and strengthen access to care for Medicaid patients. This bill became law with the governor’s signature on April 13.
Kentucky’s dental practice act – HB 776, sponsored by Rep. Derek Lewis, R-London, has a goal to modernize Kentucky’s Dental Practice Act by reflecting current standards of care, strengthening patient safety and supporting the next generation of dental professionals. This bill became law with the governor’s signature on April 13.
Behavioral Health Conditional Dismissal Program pilot – SB 90, sponsored by Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, would extend this pilot project until Jan. 1, 2031. The pilot program began in 2023. It provides an alternative to incarceration by allowing eligible defendants to receive treatment for substance use and/or behavioral health disorders. Among other things, the bill would limit the number of participating counties and extend several of the existing reporting requirements. This bill became law with the governor’s signature on April 13.
Medicaid pilot – Senate Concurrent Resolution 9, sponsored by Meredith, calls for a study of accountable care models used for Medicaid programs in other states. The study also would look at opportunities to implement such a model in Kentucky through a pilot program. This resolution was signed by Beshear on April 13
Food is Medicine, Senate Joint Resolution 23, sponsored by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, declares Kentucky as a “Food is Medicine” state and directs state agencies to advance Food is Medicine initiatives. This resolution was signed by the governor on April 13.
Substance use disorder program and funding map – SJR 74, sponsored by Storm, would direct the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to collaborate to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources. It was delivered to the governor on April 15.
Physician shortage – SJR 116, sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, would direct the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville and Eastern Kentucky University to work together to alleviate physician shortages in underserved areas of the state. This resolution was signed by Beshear on April 17.
