Chief Executive Officer at Pikeville Medical Center Donovan Blackburn said: “Through and by the adoption of HB 75 into law, this is truly a lifesaving action. This will not only save hospital jobs and services but also imagine what would happen to businesses, especially in rural communities, that depend on local hospital purchases and wages to support their businesses. This is a significant piece of legislation at a time of our state’s greatest need in order to preserve the quality of care for all Kentuckians.”

“Hospitals are on the front lines of Kentucky’s health care system and are absolutely vital to our state and ensuring that all Kentuckians have access to lifesaving services and care,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander. “We are excited to launch this program to provide additional support to the commonwealth’s hospital community and ensure members of the Medicaid program have access to quality treatment and care – whenever they need it.”


“The Kentucky Medicaid program serves one out of every three Kentuckians,” said Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee. “The additional funding provided through HB 75 will allow hospitals to continue to deliver quality care designed to improve the lives of those we serve and, as a native of Eastern Kentucky, I am excited for the opportunities this legislation will provide for our rural communities. The department is thankful for the collaboration of all involved in this important legislation. Gov. Beshear’s signature on this legislation demonstrates his commitment to ensuring health care is available to all Kentuckians.”

“The Kentucky Hospital Association and its member hospitals are grateful to bill sponsor Brandon Reed and Sen. Steve Meredith for being champions of rural hospitals, along with the legislative leadership and Gov. Beshear for their support in making HB 75 a reality,” stated KHA President & CEO Nancy Galvagni. “HRIP has been a lifeline for the state’s hospitals as they faced the most challenging financial times in recent history. Adjusting the program to include outpatient care for Medicaid patients will further the program’s goal, especially in rural hospitals. Keeping the doors open ensures all Kentuckians will continue to have access to the quality care they need.”

Gov. Beshear has also worked to strengthen our health care systems. In 2021, he announced that Kentucky hospitals would receive an additional $800 million to $1 billion annually to help advance the quality of care of Medicaid members and provide a stable base for hospitals that are extending beyond the financial challenges of the pandemic. That same year, the Governor announced that Kentucky hospitals meeting federal quality measures could receive up to $1.1 billion in increased payments the next year to help deliver and expand quality health care to the commonwealth’s Medicaid members.

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