Kentucky is preparing to address the consequences of the U.S. government shutdown. Lawmakers are continuing their arguments over the nation's budget. One of the biggest points of contention is funding for healthcare programs.
During his weekly Team Kentucky update, Governor Andy Beshear weighed in, saying that the Republicans are causing the loss of help for those who get their healthcare coverage from the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.
“That will cause around 100,000 Kentuckians significant increases in premiums, but it will impact the entire market. So, just about everyone's healthcare costs, which are already too high, will go up. Pair that with the significant cuts in Medicaid, where 200,000 Kentuckians are going to lose their coverage, and 20,000 Kentuckians are going to lose their job.”
Beshear said despite those increases, the commonwealth will press forward.
“Most programs that come through Kentucky will continue; we've done it before, we'll do it again, but we'll be monitoring it day to day. For those families, I hope neighbors will check in with them. We do not have direct programs depending on how long the shutdown lasts, but certainly want to find any way to help these Kentuckians.”
Beshear said that programs that will continue include the WIC and SNAP programs, but his office will be monitoring them on a day-to-day basis.
The Social Security Administration is saying that during the federal government shutdown, payments to all people who currently receive Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will continue with no change in payment dates. Your clients will still receive their payments on time.
