Benefit cuts announced following Medicaid ruling

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Governor Matt Bevin’s administration says dental and vision coverage is being cut for nearly a half-million Kentuckians due to a ruling that rejected the state’s Medicaid overhaul plan.

The state Cabinet for Health and Family Services says the cuts in coverage are an “unfortunate consequence” of the federal judge’s ruling last week.

Democrats are criticizing the Republican administration’s actions. State Representative Joni Jenkins says she’s concerned about “rash decisions” in response to the ruling, and is calling for “thoughtful discussions” involving the administration and stakeholder groups.

The judge ruled Kentucky can’t require poor people to get jobs to keep their Medicaid benefits.

Kentucky was the first state to get permission to impose work requirements on Medicaid, the joint state and federal health insurance program for the poor and disabled.