Beech Tree News Network

The legislative interim continued last week with multiple interim joint committees (IJC) and task forces meeting to prepare for the 2024 Regular Session. While the budget will be high on our legislative agenda, it is only one of the many issues we will consider as we work to address the state’s challenges and identify opportunities. We have all heard that if you want to know what someone’s priorities are, you look at their checkbook. Well, if you want to know what our session agenda will look like, you look at our interim topics. I hope you will find the following committee summaries interesting.

IJC on Families and Children: Members heard from several groups about the challenges childcare providers are currently facing. Many of the childcare providers received financial subsidies from federal funding during the pandemic, but that money will sunset at the end of 2023 so there is ongoing concern about how it will impact an industry that already struggles to remain financially independent. Providers spoke with legislators about policies to help mitigate ongoing challenges facing the field, particularly difficulty finding and keeping employees. It was not all bad news, as they also highlighted positive changes and staff retention efforts they are seeing in childcare centers.

IJC on Health Services: Committee members met for the first Interim Joint Committee hearing to receive an update on healthcare in the commonwealth as we attempt to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID resulted in several challenges for us as a state. From economic decline to workforce uncertainty, there have been many obstacles in the way of progress. Most notably, the health care workforce in Kentucky is still currently 4,000 employees short of its optimal operating capacity.  With wages increasing and a federal staffing mandate looming, there is going to be a need for nearly 200,000 more physicians at a national price tag of $11 billion. Workplace safety and stress relating to prior authorization requirements hindering swift care is cited as the main reasons we are seeing a mass exodus of the industry as a whole. In terms of preparedness, Kentucky has come out on top.  With a robust back stock of PPE and other supporting infrastructure, we have been able to surplus the needed equipment in the event of another pandemic.

 IJC on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection: The committee met to discuss prevention of veteran suicide. They heard from many organizations, including the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA), USA Cares, Project Diehard, and Check a Vet. The KDVA brought attention to the higher proportion of suicide amongst National Guard members compared to Active Duty and Reserve members; committee members were informed of the constant cycle of switching between military orders and civilian life that some National Guard members face—and the toll that can take on them. Committee members also heard many passionate testimonies advocating for efforts toward veteran suicide prevention.

IJC on State Government: Committee members met to hear from Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) and Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) representatives regarding their administration, system membership, funding, and investments. KPPA provided an overview of the three systems of pension, and the different tiers included in each, under KPPA: County Employees Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System.

IJC on Local Government: The committee received a briefing from the Kentucky Fire Commission on their duties, organization, fiscal resources, and expenditures. The commission was funded in 1982 from insurance surcharge. In 2000, the General Assembly passed legislation to move the Fire Commission and State Fire Rescue Training to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), and they have been housed there since. The commission and state fire rescue training operational budgets for this year total more than $53 million. The funds come from the insurance surcharge tax of 1.8% and state general fund dollars.

Certificate of Need Task Force: Members of the newly formed Certificate of Need Task Force focused on the broad issues pertaining to the state certificate of need program, and received a briefing on the subject from the National Conference on State Legislatures and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The certificate of need requirement has long been a point of discussion among policymakers considering how to improve access to quality healthcare. A certificate of need (CON) is simply a legal document required in Kentucky before a proposed acquisition, expansion, or creation of a healthcare facility can take place.

As we continue to investigate issues for the upcoming legislative session, I would like to hear from you. Feel free to reach out any time through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181 or by email at [email protected]. If you would like to receive regular email updates, send me an email. For more information, please visit the legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.