Pulse brief · 4 cited sources · July 19, 2026
Kentucky families rally as 4% Medicaid waiver cut nears its Aug. 1 start
About 100 families, caregivers and providers rallied in Frankfort against a 4% Medicaid waiver reimbursement cut set for Aug. 1, as nearly 19,000 Kentuckians wait for waiver slots.
About 100 Kentucky families, caregivers and providers rallied at the state Capitol Friday against a 4% cut to Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates set to begin Aug. 1, which providers learned of in a June 8 letter from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The 1915(c) waivers help people with disabilities stay in their homes instead of institutions and help pay for caregivers and daily support. Demand already outruns supply: deputy Medicaid commissioner Leslie Hoffmann told a legislative subcommittee that nearly 19,000 people were on waiver waitlists as of July 13, with only around 1,000 spots available. The Department for Medicaid Services says the cuts stem from House Bill 500, and the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy says the General Assembly provided about $691 million less than the department requested to fully fund benefits. Families are asking to meet with legislators before the cuts take effect.
Evidence
Each statement shown below is a verified claim this source supports.
- About 100 families, caregivers and providers rallied at Kentucky's state Capitol in Frankfort on Friday against a proposed 4% cut to Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates.
- The 1915(c) Medicaid waivers help people with disabilities stay in their homes instead of institutions, and the funding also helps pay for caregivers and other daily support.
- According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, the General Assembly provided about $691 million less than the Department for Medicaid Services requested to fully fund Medicaid benefits.
- Families are asking lawmakers to meet with them before the cuts take effect.
- About 100 families, caregivers and providers rallied at Kentucky's state Capitol in Frankfort on Friday against a proposed 4% cut to Medicaid waiver reimbursement rates.
- A letter from the Department of Medicaid Services says the cuts stem from requirements in House Bill 500.
- According to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, the General Assembly provided about $691 million less than the Department for Medicaid Services requested to fully fund Medicaid benefits.
- Families are asking lawmakers to meet with them before the cuts take effect.
- A June 8 letter from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services informed providers they would see a 4% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement starting Aug. 1.
- Leslie Hoffmann, the deputy commissioner of the Department for Medicaid Services, said there were nearly 19,000 people on waitlists for Medicaid waivers as of July 13, with only around 1,000 spots available.
- Hoffmann presented the waitlist figures to members of the legislature's Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee.
- A June 8 letter from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services informed providers they would see a 4% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement starting Aug. 1.
- Leslie Hoffmann, the deputy commissioner of the Department for Medicaid Services, said there were nearly 19,000 people on waitlists for Medicaid waivers as of July 13, with only around 1,000 spots available.
- Hoffmann presented the waitlist figures to members of the legislature's Waiver Waitlist Management Subcommittee.