The Kentucky Democratic Party is on a statewide tour in defense of Medicaid, as well as the individuals, hospitals, and healthcare workers who rely on the safety net program.
One of the faces of that movement is Western Kentucky University professor Robert Dietle, who highlighted the struggles people with disabilities and their family members will face because of Medicaid cuts in the Republican-backed federal budget dubbed by President Donald Trump's administration as the "big beautiful bill", which was signed into law in July.
During the KDP's stop in Bowling Green on Thursday, Dietle spoke of his adult son with autism who relies on vital support services at home.
“This is a young man who comes in and spends part of each day with Samuel working with him. He’s now more verbal and socially interactive because of this one on one contact," Dietle said. "If these benefits are cut, I’d have to retire and become his full-time caregiver. He would suffer from that because I don't have the training, and I couldn't provide the type of support his professional individual does."
KDP Executive Director Morgan Eaves chastised 2nd District Congressman Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green. The Republican lawmaker chairs the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which helped create the federal budget.
"He knows that a third of his district depends on Medicaid for health care," said Eaves. "Brett Guthrie knows that the final version of the budget had even deeper cuts than the one he first drafted, cuts that would detrimentally impact his constituents. But he still voted for those cuts and for that bill, and sent it to the president's desk."
Rep. Guthrie's office issued the following statement to WKU Public Radio:
“This is yet another example of Democrats spreading misinformation to scare Kentuckians. In fact, Medicaid funding is expected to increase by more than $150 billion over the next ten years.
“Chairman Guthrie has and will continue to be a staunch supporter of protecting the Medicaid program for generations to come. That’s why he worked to craft a piece of legislation that strengthens the program for those it is intended to serve: expectant mothers, children, low-income seniors, and people with disabilities. The bill does, however, ensure that those who are ineligible to receive benefits under this program– I.e deceased enrollees, duplicative enrollees, and individuals with million-dollar homes– can no longer abuse the system and receive taxpayer-subsidized health care. It also establishes a basic community engagement requirement of 80 hours/month for those who are able-bodied but choose not to work.
“What Chairman Guthrie did vote for is the largest tax cut for working families in history. The bill eliminated taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security while strengthening Medicaid for those whom the program is intended to serve. Saying anything to the contrary is detached from reality and should be reported on as such.”
Republicans in Congress have said the budget makes no changes in Medicaid coverage for individuals with disabilities. The Kentucky Republican Party has called the Democratic tour in defense of Medicaid “emotion-driven fearmongering.”
But Dietle worries the GOP isn’t being specific about cuts and fears millions of dollars in savings will come at the expense of Medicaid participants who need support.
“Samuel will never be able to live independently and the greatest fear my wife and I have is—what will happen to him after we’re gone if those benefits aren't there. This is a long game we’re talking about," Dietle said. "When you're cutting this many dollars out of the program, I'm pretty sure everyone is going to lose something. You're not going to cover those cuts by people cheating the system. That's only going to be a handful of people."
The Medicaid provisions are scheduled to take effect in 2027. Democratic opponents claim the timeline was intentionally set for after the 2026 midterm elections.
