The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” (“OBBBA”) filled with cuts and changes that will devastate communities and families, is now law. After being passed by Congress, President Trump signed the bill on the 4^th of July. On a day meant to celebrate freedom, this legislation is expected to strip many Kentuckians of their access to essential health care. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, approximately 16 million people across the country could be left uninsured by this bill due to cuts to Medicaid and changes to the Affordable Care Act.

What Does the New Law Mean for Kentucky?

The law slashes up to $1.3 billion in federal Medicaid funding and puts as many as 35 Kentucky hospitals at risk of closure. Kentucky stands to lose more hospitals than any other state. Many of them are in rural areas.

Not only will the closing of these facilities cause harm to the patients they serve, this will also devastate local economies with the loss of an estimated 12,100 jobs and $98 million in state tax revenue, impacting education, roads, and emergency services.

Provisions in the law, along with the failure to extend the premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions, are projected to increase premiums and out-of-pocket costs, leaving as many as eight million Americans who do not qualify for employer- or government-sponsored coverage unable to afford health insurance on the Marketplace. Those who do have the benefit of employer-sponsored plans may also end up paying more, as insurance companies spread the risk of insuring a smaller, sicker pool of covered lives.

Kentucky has the nation’s second-highest death rate from cancer, and now many low-income Kentuckians won’t be able to get lifesaving cancer screenings, such as pap smears or mammograms, because the law bars Medicaid funding for essential community providers like Planned Parenthood for ten years. These cuts were made despite the fact that federal Medicaid dollars don’t fund abortion care.

Kentucky also has one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the nation. Since Medicaid is the largest payer of addiction treatment in the state, these cuts mean fewer detox beds, longer waits for recovery programs, and more lives lost to addiction.

Why It Matters

This law is not just about the money. It reshapes U.S. priorities, telling low-income, disabled, self-employed, and other Kentuckians that their lives have less value. It favors tax breaks for the wealthy and well-connected, while struggling families shoulder the burden of poorer health and financial instability. The law sacrifices Kentuckians’ health to reward those at the top.

What You Can Do

At The Asclepius Initiative, we believe health care is a human right, not a privilege. Help us inform Kentuckians about these changes, amplify your voices, and push for a system that ensures access to high-quality, affordable care for every person in the Commonwealth. Donate here.

Click here to learn more, sign up for updates, and find out how you can get involved.

Prior to the passage of the “OBBBA,” TAI founder and CEO Dr. Susan Bornstein wrote an Op-Ed against the cuts, and addressing Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s comments that Kentuckians will “get over it.” It was published in the Lexington Herald Leader and Louisville Courier Journal.

Partner Spotlight

We wanted to share some of the great work that our partners are doing in providing education on health care coverage to their communities as part of our grant through the Kentucky Department of Public Health.



Our friends at the Somali Community of Louisville organized the 2025 Louisville Africa Day Festival at Fourth Street Live, distributing information on health care coverage to many of the 1,500 people in attendance.

Save the Date!

Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 18th! TAI is excited to take part in Give for Good Louisville for a third year.

Give for Good Louisville is the biggest day of local giving, with the community coming together to show its support for local nonprofits. Last year, more than $9.6 million was raised for nearly 600 organizations.

We hope you'll support TAI on September 18th!

Follow The Asclepius Initiative on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and BlueSky to remain informed about the latest in health care coverage education and reform. We share tips to help you navigate your health care coverage, updates on our work, and opportunities to get involved in creating a healthier future for Kentuckians. Don’t miss out – connect with us today!

The Asclepius Initiative is part of Kroger’s Community Rewards program. Select TAI as the charity of choice and a portion of your receipt will be donated to TAI each time your Kroger Plus Card is used. Signing up is quick and only has to be done once.

1. Go to KrogerCommunityRewards.com

2. Sign into using current login information or the number on the back of the card

3. Select TAI as the organization: search for us by name or by using our code, DG163

Help us continue to provide you with relevant and up-to-date health care coverage information.