1. United States
2. Ky.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to House Bill 500. As a constituent and a supporter of Kentucky’s public servants, I am deeply concerned that the proposed 5% cap on employer contributions to the Kentucky Employee Health Plan (KEHP) will devastate the financial stability of our state’s teachers, bus drivers, and state employees. By capping these contributions, HB 500 creates a massive funding shortfall of $77 million in 2027 and $202 million in 2028. This is not just a budget adjustment; it is an effective pay cut for the very people who keep our Commonwealth running. To bridge this gap, KEHP members will face a "lose-lose" scenario of skyrocketing premiums and gutted coverage, including higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. The real-world impact on Kentucky families is staggering: A Rank III Teacher could see their monthly net pay drop by $486.04. A School Bus Driver—already working for modest wages—could see their take-home pay slashed by $535.18 per month, leaving them with just $145.64 to live on. Our public servants deserve a budget that prioritizes their health and wellness, not one that forces them to choose between essential medical treatment and basic survival. I urge you to reject the current language in HB 500 and instead support a budget that fully funds the employer's portion of health insurance, as recommended by Governor Beshear. Please stand with our teachers and state employees by opposing this harmful cap. I look forward to hearing your position on this critical issue.