ADMINISTRATION SAYS WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE BILL. NOW, AMID THE POTENTIAL CUTS IN WASHINGTON, A DEADLINE FOR THE TEMPORARY MEDICAID EXTENSION FOR KENTUCKY CHILDREN IS LOOMING. MADISON ELLIOTT IS IN THE NEWSROOM WITH THE CONCERNS OF LOCAL FAMILIES. MADISON PARENTS WILL NEED TO CAREFULLY CHECK THEIR MAIL FOR ANY NOTICES FROM THE STATE, ASKING THEM TO MANUALLY RENEW THEIR CHILD’S MEDICARE MEDICAID COVERAGE. AND ONE FAMILY TELLS US THEY ALREADY RENEWED, BUT THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING COVERAGE ALTOGETHER AMID POTENTIAL CUTS. THERE YOU GO. I KNOW THAT MAKES YOU SO HAPPY, IVY NEWMAN, LIKE ANY TWO YEAR OLD, IS CURIOUS AS SHE ROAMS AROUND, BUT SHE NEEDS A LITTLE HELP. ARE YOU GOING TO COME GET US? YEAH. THERE YOU GO, SISTER. WITH THIS GATE TRAINER. IT ALLOWS HER TO LEARN HOW TO WALK. IT’S BEEN AN AMAZING PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. HER MOM, JASMINE PSALM, SAYS IVY WAS BORN PREMATURE AT 24 WEEKS. SHE HAS A NUMBER OF DISABILITIES. DUE TO HER EXTREME PREMATURITY THAT INCLUDE CHRONIC LUNG DISEASE, BECKWITH-WIEDEMANN SYNDROME, CEREBRAL PALSY. BECAUSE OF THIS, IVY USES A TRACH, FEEDING TUBE, AND VENTILATOR AT HOME. ALL OF THESE THINGS COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. PSALM SAYS MEDICAID HAS ALLOWED HER FAMILY TO GET IVY THE SERVICES SHE NEEDS TO THRIVE AND LIVE AT HOME. WE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO AFFORD ALL THE EQUIPMENT THAT SHE’S REQUIRED, WHICH IS HOSPITAL LEVEL EQUIPMENT AT OUR HOUSE. AMID THREATS TO CUT MEDICAID, SHE SAYS THEY ARE CONSTANTLY LIVING IN FEAR. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT’S LOOKING TO CUT WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE. ACCORDING TO STATS PROVIDED BY KENTUCKY VOICES FOR HEALTH, 96% OF ADULTS ON MEDICAID IN THE STATE ARE WORKING OR LIVING WITH A DISABILITY OR ARE RETIRED. AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FRAUD AND YOU USE SUCH NEGATIVE TERMS ABOUT THE MEDICAID PROGRAM CURRENTLY, IT’S REALLY DEHUMANIZING TO CHILDREN LIKE IVY AND TO FAMILIES LIKE OURS. KENTUCKY VOICES FOR HEALTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EMILY BEAUREGARD SAYS A LOT OF FAMILIES ARE WORRIED THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE THOSE REALLY TOUGH CHOICES BETWEEN GOING TO YOUR DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT OR GETTING A PRESCRIPTION FILLED. THESE WORRIES COME AS A DEADLINE IS LOOMING. KENTUCKY’S EXTENSION FOR AUTOMATIC MEDICAID RENEWAL FOR CHILDREN ENDS ON JUNE 30TH. RENEWALS WERE PAUSED DURING THE PANDEMIC. MORE THAN 600,000 KENTUCKY CHILDREN ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID, AND THE KENTUCKY CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM. BEAUREGARD SAYS FAMILIES MAY NOT REALIZE THEY NEED TO TAKE ACTION, OR THAT INCOME LIMITS ARE HIGHER FOR KIDS. AND MAYBE THE PARENTS LOST THEIR COVERAGE BECAUSE THEY GOT A BETTER PAYING JOB. MAYBE THEY HAVE MORE HOURS AT WORK NOW. THEY MAY ASSUME THAT THEIR KIDS AREN’T ELIGIBLE, AND THAT’S JUST NOT ALWAYS TRUE. SHE SAYS THERE ARE CONNECTORS THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES APPLY OR ANSWER QUESTIONS. AS THIS DEADLINE APPROACHES AND THREATS TO MEDICAID LOOM. SOME HOPES HER DAUGHTER DOESN’T LOSE COVERAGE. WHAT ARE YOU DOING? AND THIS WEEK, THE KENTUCKY STATE LEGISLATURE HELD ITS FIRST MEDICAID OVERSIGHT AND ADVISORY BOARD MEETING. THIS WAS CREATED BY LAWMAKERS WITH THE PASSAGE OF HOUSE BILL 695 DURING T