The following is an op-ed published by Insure Kentucky, and co-signed by the organizations listed at the bottom.
Safety net programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) fill gaps in access to food, financial support and medical care across the commonwealth – and recently, these critical programs have been in the public conversation.
- Members of the Public Assistance Reform Task Force have concluded their work and recommended further exploration of adjustments to these programs.
- At the same time, Governor-elect Beshear is building an administration that will have the opportunity to make broad changes to programs that have supported hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians in making ends meet.
As each of these proceed, we the undersigned urge Kentucky’s leaders to recognize the importance of these programs in the lives of their constituents throughout the commonwealth.
Kentuckians look out for each other when we hit a hard patch and struggle to make ends meet, and our safety net should reflect that. We all need a hand sometimes. White, Black or Brown; urban or rural; abled or disabled; unemployed or underpaid – we all need access to health care, housing, groceries, and financial security. Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF are critical to helping individuals, families, and communities weather hard times.
Solid research shows programs like these improve health and the ability of people to more fully contribute to our commonwealth. These programs strengthen struggling economies when they most need it by bringing in federal dollars that circulate through local communities. We believe improvements to Kentucky’s safety net programs should be guided by these shared principles:
- Utilize a “welcome mat” approach, making public assistance as accessible as possible for Kentuckians, and meeting them with respect, dignity, and without stigma.
- Integrate the eligibility, application, and enrollment of programs so that no one unknowingly leaves vital assistance on the table.
- Give kids a strong start by ensuring they and their families glean the full benefit of public support when they need it, including financial assistance that is flexible to meet a variety of needs.
- Prioritize racial, ethnic, and geographic equity among Kentuckians who face historical and systemic barriers to meeting basic needs.
- Take down barriers to enrolling in and using public assistance in order to reduce administrative costs and the hassle people face while getting back on their feet.
- Support, not penalize, underpaid workers whose jobs do not pay a living wage, provide consistent hours, or offer access to benefits. This includes supporting workers in areas where jobs are scarce.
Many Kentuckians are simply a lost job, reduced work hours, a new baby, or an accident or illness away from qualifying from programs like Medicaid, SNAP or TANF. In fact, that’s why we call it a safety net: it catches people so they don’t fall through the cracks. Maintaining a strong safety net honors the dignity of every Kentuckian, and provides the foundation we need to thrive as a commonwealth.
We are ready and willing to work with members of the General Assembly and the Administration to that end.
Signed:
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AARP of Kentucky |
Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
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About InsureKY
InsureKY is a statewide coalition of nonprofits formed to promote more affordable health insurance, better care, and stronger consumer protections for all Kentuckians.
It includes:
- Kentucky Equal Justice Center
- Kentucky Voices for Health
- Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
- Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky
- Mental Health America of Kentucky
InsureKY Media Contacts
Dustin Pugel, Policy Analyst
Kentucky Center for Economic Policy
dustin@kypolicy.org
(859)230-0098
Emily Beauregard, Executive Director
Kentucky Voices for Health
emily.beauregard@kyvoicesforhealth.org
(502) 882-0584
Sheila Schuster, Executive Director
Advocacy Action Network
kyadvocacy@gmail.com
(502) 836-43222