Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB786: AN ACT relating to Medicaid eligibility.
Status: In committee, March 6, 2026
Amend KRS 205.592 to extend Medicaid eligibility for new parents from 12 months to 24 months postpartum; require the Cabinet for Health and Familly Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek federal approval if it is determined that such approval is necessary; provide authorization from the General Assembly to make changes to the Medicaid program as required under KRS 205.5372(1).
What the bill says
An act relating to Medicaid eligibility.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT relating to Medicaid eligibility. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. KRS 205.592 is amended to read as follows: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, pregnant women, new parents[mothers] up to twenty-four (24)[twelve (12)] months postpartum, and children up to age one (1) shall be eligible for participation in the Kentucky Medical Assistance Program if: (a) They have family income up to but not exceeding one hundred and eighty-five percent (185%) of the nonfarm income official poverty guidelines as promulgated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services [of the United States ]as revised annually; and (b) They are otherwise eligible for the program. (2) The percentage established in subsection (1)(a) of this section may be increased to the and (b) Funding is available. Section 2. If the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services determines that a state plan amendment, waiver, or any other form of authorization or approval from any federal agency to implement Section 1 of this Act is necessary to prevent the loss of federal funds or to comply with federal law, the cabinet or department: (1) Shall, within 90 days after the effective date of this section, request the necessary federal authorization or approval to …
Sponsors
- Joshua Watkins (D, HD-042) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Health Services (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Medicaid, Women, Health And Medical Services, Reproductive Issues, Public Assistance, Men
Common questions
- What is HB786?
- HB786 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT relating to Medicaid eligibility.
- What does HB786 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to Medicaid eligibility.
- What is the status of HB786?
- In committee as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: to Health Services (H) (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB786?
- Joshua Watkins (D, HD-042).
- Where is the official record for HB786?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb786.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.