Introduced
Passed House
Passed Senate
Became law
Last action · April 13, 2026
Signed By Governor (Acts Ch. 117)

Introduced February 20, 2026

House
Signed By Governor
2026 Regular Session

AN ACT relating to the establishment of a Medicaid state-directed payment program.

Amend KRS 205.6412 to require the Department for Medicaid Services to seek authorization from the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to implement a state-directed payment for physician and nonphysician professional services provided to a Medicaid beneficiary by a qualifying hospital's affiliated physician groups or physicians and other professionals employed or contracted by the qualified hospital; require the Department of Medicaid Services to direct Medicaid managed care organizations to issue payments back to January 1, 2026, upon federal approval; RETROACTIVE.

In effect since July 15, 2026

Acts from the 2026 Regular Session that don't carry an emergency clause or set their own effective date took effect 90 days after the session adjourned (Ky. Constitution § 55).

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Plain-language summary
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This bill requires Kentucky's Medicaid agency to seek federal approval to create a payment program that directs Medicaid managed care organizations to pay hospitals' affiliated doctors and other medical professionals at set rates. If approved by the federal government, payments would be applied going back to January 1, 2026. The goal is to establish a structured way for certain healthcare providers to receive Medicaid reimbursements. Who it may affect: Kentuckians enrolled in Medicaid, hospitals, and the physicians and other medical professionals who work with or are employed by those hospitals.

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Legislative History

Feb 20, 2026 · House
Introduced In House
Feb 20, 2026 · House
To Committee On Committees (H)
Feb 27, 2026 · House
To Health Services (H)
Mar 5, 2026 · House
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar
Mar 6, 2026 · House
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Mar 16, 2026 · House
Floor Amendment (1) Filed (clerical)
Mar 17, 2026 · House
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Wednesday, March 18 2026 (clerical)
Mar 18, 2026 · House
3rd Reading, Passed 94-0 With Floor Amendment (1)
Yea: 94
Nay: 0
Absent: 6
LegiScan roll call
Mar 31, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 38-0 With Committee Substitute (1)
Yea: 38
Nay: 0
LegiScan roll call
Mar 31, 2026 · House
Passed 90-1
Yea: 90
Nay: 1
Absent: 9
LegiScan roll call

Primary Sponsor

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Portrait of Amy Neighbors

Amy Neighbors

Representative · House District 021

Primary sponsor
amy.neighbors@kylegislature.gov

Co-sponsors (14)

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Portrait of Kimberly Banta

Kimberly Banta

Representative · House District 063

Co-sponsor
kim.banta@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of George Brown

George Brown

Representative · House District 077

Co-sponsor
George.Brown@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Beverly Chester-Burton

Beverly Chester-Burton

Representative · House District 044

Co-sponsor
beverly.chesterburton@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Mike Clines

Mike Clines

Representative · House District 068

Co-sponsor
mike.clines@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Stephanie Dietz

Stephanie Dietz

Representative · House District 065

Co-sponsor
stephanie.dietz@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall

Representative · House District 017

Co-sponsor
robert.duvall@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kevin Jackson

Kevin Jackson

Representative · House District 020

Co-sponsor
kevin.jackson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of DJ Johnson

DJ Johnson

Representative · House District 013

Co-sponsor
DJ.Johnson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kim King

Kim King

Representative · House District 055

Co-sponsor
Kim.King@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Scott Lewis

Scott Lewis

Representative · House District 014

Co-sponsor
Scott.Lewis@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Shawn McPherson

Shawn McPherson

Representative · House District 022

Co-sponsor
Shawn.McPherson@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Michael Meredith

Michael Meredith

Representative · House District 019

Co-sponsor
Michael.Meredith@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Kimberly Moser

Kimberly Moser

Representative · House District 064

Co-sponsor
Kimberly.Moser@kylegislature.gov
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Portrait of Steve Riley

Steve Riley

Representative · House District 023

Co-sponsor
Steve.Riley@kylegislature.gov

Bill Text Versions

Enacted: Acts chapter (final law)

Most current
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Enrolled (passed both chambers)

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Engrossed (passed one chamber)

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Introduced (original)

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