NASW Kentucky is a member of the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition (KMHC) and proudly supports the coalition’s 2026 General Assembly legislative priorities, which were approved by consensus at the KMHC meeting on December 11, 2025. These priorities reflect shared goals to strengthen Kentucky’s mental health system, protect access to care, and support the mental health workforce.
Budget Priorities
Restore Medicaid cuts resulting from federal HR 1 actions (July 4, 2025)
Increase funding to expand mental health professionals in Kentucky’s public schools
Establish an award for enhanced professionalism for school-based mental health personnel (KASSW & KAPS legislation)
Expand 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services waiver funding to reduce the current waitlist of more than 16,000 individuals
Increase reimbursement rates for child mental health services (Children’s Alliance)
Extend Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) funding for the full biennium, supporting four current centers and the development of five to six additional sites
Insurance and Systems Accountability
Pass prior authorization reform (HB 423, 2025 GA, Rep. Moser)
Advance mental health parity legislation (BR 72, Sens. Grossl and Willner)
Strengthen network adequacy monitoring and enforcement for managed care organizations (MOAB recommendation)
Create a statewide health data utility
Require licensure boards to collect data on healthcare professionals’ practice status and locations (HB 79, 2025 GA, Rep. Moser)
Curb excessive audits, clawbacks, and administrative barriers imposed by managed care organizations (HB 785 and 787, 2025 GA, Rep. Moser)
Workforce Development
Establish certification and Medicaid reimbursement pathways for peer support specialists
Improving Services and Supports
Protect children from unregulated AI intrusions, including chatbots presenting as live therapists
Defensive Priorities
Oppose anti-DEI legislation in K–12 education
Oppose anti-LGBTQ legislation
In addition to supporting KMHC’s shared advocacy agenda, NASW Kentucky will have a contract lobbyist for the 2026 legislative session and will continue to actively lobby on behalf of Kentucky social workers with partner organizations.