Dentist says he was fired for criticizing Medicaid plan

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A former public health dentist at the University of Kentucky says he was fired for publicly criticizing Republican Gov. Matt Bevin’s plan to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program.

Raynor Mullins was a faculty member at the university’s College of Dentistry. He lost his job on June 30 after more than 40 years with the university. Wednesday, Mullins filed a federal lawsuit against two university officials and an unknown member of Bevin’s administration. He said the three conspired to punish him for publicly criticizing Bevin’s plan to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program.

A University of Kentucky spokeswoman declined to comment. Bevin spokeswoman Amanda Stamper said neither Bevin nor anyone else in his office knows Mullins. She said both Mullins and his attorney support Bevin’s political rival, Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear.

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