Gov. Beshear, Congressman McGarvey Urge Congress To Extend Tax Credits To Protect Affordable Health Coverage for Kentuckians
Without extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, Kentuckians will pay thousands of dollars more in annual premiums
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – This morning, Gov. Andy Beshear and U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey joined together to warn of rising health insurance costs as Kentuckians face steep premium increases due to Congress’s lack of action to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Nearly 100,000 Kentuckians with insurance plans through Kentucky’s marketplace, kynect, will see up to 37% higher costs when open enrollment begins this Saturday, Nov. 1. This is a 10 times bigger premium increase than in recent years.
“Extending these tax credits is one of the simplest and most effective ways that can provide stability for the American people and, frankly, there is no excuse for action not to be taken,” said Gov. Beshear. “Things like affordable health care and support for food, these are nonpartisan issues our families need and deserve. It’s time that folks in D.C. stop playing games and put our American families first.”
“The tax credits that make the Affordable Care Act affordable for so many of our neighbors are going to expire at the end of this year,” said Congressman McGarvey. “So, unless Congress acts, health insurance rates are going to skyrocket for every single Kentuckian. Congress must act – because we can. We can make sure people can afford their health care. And we know that when we do this, everyone will be better off.”
The Governor and Congressman were joined by Ann Pipes, a Louisville resident who shared that, if Congress doesn’t take action by Nov. 1, her current premium will rise by more than $900 per month.
“Thanks to the ACA tax credit, our current monthly premium is $350. Without that tax credit, our current monthly premium is $1,275. We do not currently have an extra $900 a month in our budget,” said Pipes. “It’s going to be the first time in my adult life, if this does not get solved, that I’ll be without insurance. It’s really stressful. I’m losing sleep over it. I think all day about what we’re going to do if we lose health insurance.”
Kentucky’s marketplace, kynect, covers small-business owners, older Americans not yet eligible for Medicare and rural Kentuckians who make more than Medicaid recipients but don’t have workplace-sponsored health insurance.
For a typical family of four making $130,000 in Kentucky, the cost of annual premiums alone would increase by more than $12,000, while a 60-year-old couple making $85,000 would pay nearly $24,000 more annually.
In September, Gov. Beshear sent a letter, along with 17 other governors from across the United States, calling on Congressional leaders to extend the credits. More than a month later, no action has been taken.
Gov. Beshear and Rep. McGarvey have called on President Donald Trump and the Republican majority in Congress to immediately extend ACA tax credits to mitigate drastic price hikes that would push affordable health care further out of reach for even more families in Kentucky, after Trump signed a bill into law just months ago that could kick more than 200,000 Kentuckians off Medicaid.
See the full press conference here.
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Gov. Beshear Challenges Trump Administration Over Illegal Suspension of SNAP Benefits
Kentucky joins 24 states and DC demanding funding be restored
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 28, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the Trump administration over its unlawful decision to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
“Our President should be focused on fighting hunger, not causing it – yet the unlawful suspension of SNAP benefits is going to case more than 40 million Americans and almost 600,000 Kentuckians – many of which are children – to go without food,” said Gov. Beshear. “My faith teaches me that food is lifegiving and meant to be shared. From the miracle of fishes and loaves to the Last Supper, we are called to feed and care for each other, and the Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong.”
On October 24, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying it was suspending all November 2025 benefit payments for the approximately 42 million individuals across the country that rely on them and that the suspension will continue until sufficient federal funding is provided.
Despite USDA’s claim of insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions of dollars in SNAP-specific contingency funds appropriated by Congress for this very purpose. Furthermore, USDA has funded other programs with emergency funds during this shutdown but has refused to fund SNAP.
In Kentucky, SNAP recipients can continue using current benefits as normal. For updates, Kentuckians can visit the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) website or their Self-Service Portal (SSP) account. Official DCBS notifications, text messages and emails will also be shared with news as available.
Joining Gov. Beshear in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas and Pennsylvania also joined.
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Gov. Beshear Provides Team Kentucky Update
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear provided updates on economic development, child predator arrests, community funding awards, Pre-K for All, mental health care and Halloween safety tips. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman provided an update on the Team Kentucky Internship Program, and the Governor named food pantries across the commonwealth this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.
Economic Development
Gov. Beshear congratulated another great Kentucky company on its continued growth as Kinemetrix, a leader in robotic automation and advanced manufacturing solutions, celebrated the ribbon cutting on its newly expanded manufacturing operation in Lexington, a $4 million investment creating 12 quality jobs.
Child Predator Arrests
The Governor provided an update on steps Team Kentucky is taking to protect kids from dangerous predators. The Governor shared that, since 2019, the Kentucky State Police (KSP) has arrested 474 online predators for internet-related crimes against Kentucky’s children. That includes three major arrests this month alone, all related to child sexual abuse material.
The Governor also shared that the KSP Electronic Crime Branch has partnered with Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky to produce a series of videos with tips to help parents keep their kids safe online.
“As we all know, this generation of kids is online more than ever. It’s important we teach kids, parents and caregivers about online safety,” said Gov. Beshear. “Our message is clear: If you try to prey on our children, online or otherwise, we will find you, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will incarcerate you, because we want to protect every single one of Kentucky’s children.”
Community Funding Awards
Gov. Beshear announced more than $3 million in Community Development Block Grant awards to support community projects.
- The city of Maysville will receive $1.25 million to support the replacement of around 40,000 feet of waterlines along U.S. Highway 68, to improve water pressure.
- Mason County will receive $1.1 million to replace a water tank, improving service to over 2,000 homes.
- Montgomery County is receiving over $700,000 to support economic development, as the county is planning to lease equipment to Rip Technologies, a company that is investing over $4 million to move their operations to Mt. Sterling.
Pre-K for All
Gov. Beshear was joined by members of the Pre-K For All Advisory Committee, who shared the findings of its report on the need for pre-K in the commonwealth following four months of hosting town halls, 54 outreach events, and meetings with local leaders, educators, parents, child-care providers and businesses. The report is clear: Kentucky needs to expand its public preschool program through Pre-K For All. Read the full release.
Team Kentucky Internship Program
Lt. Gov. Coleman announced that the Team Kentucky Internship Program is now accepting applications for next summer. This is a paid-internship opportunity for college students interested in public service. Positions are available across the executive branch, and interns who complete the program requirements are eligible to receive interview preference for future employment in the executive branch. Last year, Team Kentucky had 51 interns and over 1,000 applications. Visit TeamKYIntern.ky.gov to learn more and apply to participate in next summer’s program.
Mental Health Care
The Governor announced that, since 2019, the number of mental health professionals licensed in Kentucky has nearly doubled. In 2019, the commonwealth had just over 10,000 licensed mental health professionals. Now, there are nearly 20,000.
“This means more Kentuckians are receiving the care they need,” said Gov. Beshear. “You’ve heard me say it time and time again: Health care is a human right – and mental health is just as important as physical health. I’m proud Kentucky has more professionals ready to help.”
Halloween Safety Tips
Gov. Beshear shared tips from the KSP on how to enjoy a safe Halloween and trick-or-treat this year. The Governor asked that motorists stay alert for increased pedestrian traffic, children walk with flashlights, only visit homes that have their porchlights turned on, and that parents inspect their kids’ candy and more. See the full list of tips from KSP.
Team Kentucky All-Stars
Due to the federal government shutdown, on Nov. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits – which almost 600,000 Kentuckians rely on to supplement their grocery budget – will be suspended.
While the Trump administration has prohibited states from flowing state funds through the SNAP system to pay out benefits, the Governor and Team Kentucky have taken steps to help Kentuckians in need.
The Governor joined leaders from 24 other states and the District of Columbia in challenging the Trump administration over its unlawful decision to suspend SNAP; he has reallocated $9.1 million to support the Senior Meals program; and Team Kentucky will temporarily support the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through more than $12 million in state funds during the month of November. Team Kentucky will also host a food drive, accepting non-perishable food at all state office buildings in Frankfort and at the L&N Building in Louisville. Donated items will be distributed throughout the state via Dare to Care, God’s Pantry and the Christian Appalachian Project.
The Governor named food pantries across the commonwealth this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars as they prepare for an influx of demand.
“Our food pantries support our families every day, but right now, that responsibility is even bigger. We thank them stepping up to help our people during challenging times, but they shouldn’t have to,” said Gov. Beshear. “My faith teaches me that food is life-giving and meant to be shared. The Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong, and we will continue doing everything we can to fight it.”
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Gov. Beshear: Pre-K for All Advisory Committee Issues Report Stating Kentucky Needs To Expand Pre-K Now
Report released today includes findings from national research and data, recommendations for expanding pre-K, and statements of support from across the state
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear was joined by members of the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee, who shared its report on the need for pre-K in the commonwealth following four months of hosting town halls, 54 outreach events, and meetings with local leaders, educators, parents, child-care providers and businesses. The report is clear: Kentucky needs to expand its public preschool program through Pre-K for All.
“The findings are clear: Pre-K for All will help our kids start school more prepared, save parents and families thousands of their hard-earned dollars, boost our workforce, and help our economy continue to thrive,” said Gov. Beshear. “In just four months, the Pre-K for All team and advisory committee have made it a priority to do their research and hear directly from our people. This thorough report will help set us on a path forward for success, and I am grateful to this team for their hard work and commitment.”
The executive director of the Pre-K for All initiative, Sam Flynn, shared that the report was developed from research and data from across the country; feedback from five town halls and 54 outreach events held across the state. The report also includes testimonials and feedback from local leaders, educators, parents, child-care providers and businesses.
“While our research found that Kentucky is falling behind due to lack of pre-K, other states – many of which are red – have seen a significant return on investment from expanding pre-K,” said Flynn. “In these states, parents are back in the workforce and making more money; kids are doing better in their education with less disciplinary issues; and local communities and economies are thriving.”
Felicia Cumings Smith, a member of the advisory committee and chair of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, shared the findings from the committee’s research, which are featured in the report.
- Kentucky’s early care system is fragmented.
- Kentucky’s existing system is inadequate.
- Pre-K for All is achievable.
- Successful Pre-K for All programs focus on quality.
- Pre-K pays off for kids, families and communities.
“I want to thank the Governor for the incredible opportunity to serve on the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee,” said Smith. “We believe that the committee’s findings can provide us with not only a clear view of the challenges we face but a direction and a path forward for the Governor, the General Assembly and all Kentuckians.”
To view Smith’s full remarks, click here.
From these findings, the committee identified seven key recommendations included in the report released today. Carrie Ballinger, advisory committee member and superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools, shared the recommendations that Kentucky should:
- Expand its existing, state-funded public preschool program now;
- Expand public preschool in a phased, responsible way over several years;
- Ensure local flexibility in preschool expansion;
- Provide services through mixed and integrated school district-level partnerships with head state, private regulated childcare and other community-based providers;
- Prioritize quality and flexibility in implementation;
- Establish regulatory flexibility for pre-K providers; and
- Establish a unified data system for agency partners and track education and workforce success data.
“Getting kids a better start is crucial to their development and to their long-term academic success,” said Ballinger. “Right now, we are failing our kids. Tens of thousands of Kentucky’s 4-year-olds are not enrolled in any public or private program before kindergarten. Today, 52% of kindergarteners are arriving to school unprepared. Research consistently shows that pre-K helps children prepare for school, helps working families and caregivers, and provides long-term economic benefits for communities.”
To view Ballinger’s full remarks, click here.
Earlier this month, the Governor announced that 63 county judge/executives, 31 mayors and the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) all endorsed the Pre-K for All initiative, urging the Kentucky General Assembly to make expanding access to pre-K for all 4-year-olds a top priority in the 2026 Budget Session.
The endorsements were made through three letters, each signed and delivered this month to members of the General Assembly.
Since the launch of the initiative in May, over 62,000 Kentuckians have written to their state legislators asking them to support expanding preschool access. Following numerous town halls held by Team Kentucky across the state, nearly 90% of participants voiced their support for more funding for preschool.
To learn more about the benefits of Pre-K for All and to see how you can get involved, visit prek4all.ky.gov.
To view the full report released today, which also features an overview of support from across the state, click here.
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