Eastern Kentucky Leaders Urge Commonwealth’s Federal Delegation to Safeguard Key Health Policies and Investments in Region  

Listen to the Press Event Here

EASTERN KENTUCKY — Today, advocates from across Eastern Kentucky convened to discuss the devastating impacts of federal cuts to programs that provide critical health services to Eastern Kentucky families. Critical programs such as Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and those that prevent black lung disease have been or are facing federal cuts. 

Speakers urged Kentucky’s Congressional delegation to stand up for their constituents, especially Representative Hal Rogers whose district will be hardest hit. An astounding 44% of Eastern Kentuckians in Representative Rogers’ district rely on Medicaid and 23% rely on SNAP.  The congressman has more black lung benefit recipients in his district than any other member of congress. Over 4500 mining families receive black lung benefits here in Kentucky’s 5th district and many more live with the disease. Families in the region also bear some of the highest energy burdens and power bills in the state, making LIHEAP a critical program for keeping the heat on.

“You would be hard-pressed to find someone in Eastern Kentucky who doesn’t rely on or have a loved one who relies on one or more of these programs,” said Courtney Rhoades, Black Lung Organizer at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, “cuts to these programs will leave many Kentuckians without access to basic necessities.”

“Our community deserves dignity, health, and safety,” urged Savannah Davis, Certified Community Health Worker at Access Family Health, “these aren’t just statistics, they’re our neighbors.”

Led by Kentucky Representative Guthrie, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, the proposed budget reconciliation legislation would cut the Medicaid budget by $716 billion over ten years. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that 8.6 million Americans would lose Medicaid and become uninsured, with anywhere from 197,000 – 282,000 Kentuckians having their Medicaid coverage terminated due to the red tape of work reporting requirements alone. Thousands more Kentuckians will fall through the cracks of healthcare coverage due to the elimination of subsidies that make health insurance less expensive and newly added copay requirements, which could lead to delayed or rationed care. Uncompensated care will also become a burden on our hospitals and safety-net providers which could lead to decreased access to care and loss of jobs.  

“With the decline in the coal industry, we depend on healthcare, it’s our largest employer,” said Dr. John Jones of Hazard, KY, “it’s not just the healthcare of the person that’s at risk, it’s the jobs that go with it. I’m afraid what you would see with Medicaid cuts would be similar to the decline in the coal industry. People who depend on the Medicaid dollars for their jobs – nurses, doctors, pharmacists – will have to leave the area because the jobs just won’t be here.”

SNAP was used by over 276,000 households in Kentucky last month. In Hal Rogers’ district 23% of households use the program, spending a total of $323.97 million through SNAP in 2023. Last night, the House Agriculture Committee passed SNAP funding cuts. KY Policy estimates that these cuts will shift up to$190 million of responsibility onto Kentucky’s state budget each year, leaving food assistance for almost 580,000 individuals and $1.3 million in revenue to farmers uncertain.

“I understand how critical these programs are to keeping our operations viable,” said Emily Foster, manager of the Red River Gorge Farmer’s Market and farm owner, “as a market manager, I see firsthand the positive impact that SNAP and Double Dollars have on our community. Many of our customers have shared how excited they are to use their nutrition assistance dollars at the market. They appreciate being able to support local businesses they believe in and make food choices they feel good about for themselves and their families.”

For many Eastern Kentuckians, electric rates have increased over the last year, making LIHEAP even more critical as families struggle with inflation and rising costs of many goods and services. “LIHEAP is a lifeline that keeps 75,000 Kentucky households safe, healthy, and housed by helping them afford basic energy needs. Cutting this program would force vulnerable families and seniors to choose between electricity and essentials like food or medicine. That’s a choice no one should have to make,” said Sarah Pierce, Housing & Energy Affordability Program Coordinator at the Metropolitan Housing Coalition.

William McCool, President of the  Black Lung Association of Southeastern Kentucky highlighted an issue that impacts Eastern Kentucky more than any other region in the country – the black lung epidemic. Amid an increase in black lung diagnoses, epidemiologists and staff who specialize in researching and screening for the disease have been laid off as the Trump Administration delays the implementation of life-saving protections from silica dust. Over the last few days, some of the staffing cuts at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) related to black lung disease monitoring and prevention have been temporarily reversed, but many programs remain inoperable. And the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s pause on the enforcement of the silica dust rule remains in effect.

“Today miners have to cut through more rock; the easy coal is gone. MSHA should never have paused the enforcement of the silica rule,” said McCool, “we know that many miners today are still being exposed to too much dust. Their health is in jeopardy and it’s important to do whatever we can to prevent black lung disease.”

Together, these programs support the health and well-being of Eastern Kentuckians and the local economy. Advocates are looking for action from Representative Rogers to protect Medicaid, SNAP, and LIHEAP as house budget and reconciliation bills go to the floor and for Senator McConnell to curb damages when the Senate moves forward with their reconciliation bills. And though Rogers and McConnell have both supported the Trump Administration’s actions to revitalize the coal industry, both have remained silent on actions that jeopardize the health and safety of miners. Kentuckians are looking for them to step out as leaders on the issue of black lung disease because a coal economy is impossible without healthy coal miners. 

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