Kentucky's extension for automatic Medicaid renewal for children is set to end later this month. The expiring extension helps children access routine medical checkups, immunizations, treatment for conditions such as asthma or diabetes, and even dental care.
Many Kentucky families have not gone through the renewal process. This is because eligibility checks were paused for five years.
Emily Beauregard is the Executive Director for Kentucky Voices for Health. She said this can cause some confusion.
“Medicaid renewals were paused for all Kentuckians during the pandemic and during the recovery. Adult renewals resumed in 2023, now starting July 1, we're resuming child renewals and parents need to know steps to take to keep their kids covered.”
More than 600,000 Kentucky children are covered by Medicaid and the KY Children’s Health Insurance Program. However, many families have not gone through the renewal process before because eligibility checks were paused for five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beauregard said there are two things parents can do to help their kids.
“First, make sure you keep your kids covered by completing the renewal process. Second, call your members of Congress and let them know that Medicaid is essential to you and your family.”
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Reconciliation Bill, also known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," would cause 7.8 million people to become uninsured due to Medicaid cuts.
According to the CBO, the House bill would cut Medicaid by more than $800 billion, the largest cut in the program’s history.
