2026 State Legislative Priorities
KPhA's legislative priorities are established by our organization’s membership. The KPhA House of Delegates convenes every year to discuss the biggest issues facing the profession in the Commonwealth and the policy solutions for which the Association will advocate. The House of Delegates identified four top legislative priorities for the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly.
Our first legislative priority is the shared top policy goal of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA), Kentucky Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (KSHP), and Kentucky Independent Pharmacy Alliance (KIPA) in 2026.
Payment Parity for Pharmacists’ Services in Kentucky Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)
Our first legislative priority is the shared top policy goal of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association (KPhA), Kentucky Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (KSHP), and Kentucky Independent Pharmacy Alliance (KIPA) in 2026.
Payment Parity for Pharmacists’ Services in Kentucky Medicaid and the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)
Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers in Kentucky, especially among many of the Commonwealth’s rural communities. Still in 2026, while Kentucky Medicaid and the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) pay other non-physician providers for the exact same services, these public programs serving the Commonwealth do not yet recognize Kentucky pharmacists as payable providers for the services legally authorized under our current scope of practice.
House Bill (HB) 48, passed and enacted in 2021, requires that commercial insurers compensate pharmacists for all services within our scope of practice at a rate not less than the plan pays to other non-physician practitioners. KPhA will champion legislation to assure that Kentucky Medicaid and KCHIP recipients have the same access to pharmacist-provided care and that our colleagues across the Commonwealth are fairly paid for their services.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 26 (introduced by Senator Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville). SJR 26 directed the Department for Medicaid Services to prepare and provide a detailed report regarding payment for pharmacists' services for review by the General Assembly. Their analysis highlights the value that pharmacists bring to our Commonwealth’s healthcare system and the need for equitable reimbursement by Medicaid and KCHIP. The complete SJR 26 report is publicly accessible here.
House Bill (HB) 48, passed and enacted in 2021, requires that commercial insurers compensate pharmacists for all services within our scope of practice at a rate not less than the plan pays to other non-physician practitioners. KPhA will champion legislation to assure that Kentucky Medicaid and KCHIP recipients have the same access to pharmacist-provided care and that our colleagues across the Commonwealth are fairly paid for their services.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Kentucky General Assembly passed Senate Joint Resolution 26 (introduced by Senator Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville). SJR 26 directed the Department for Medicaid Services to prepare and provide a detailed report regarding payment for pharmacists' services for review by the General Assembly. Their analysis highlights the value that pharmacists bring to our Commonwealth’s healthcare system and the need for equitable reimbursement by Medicaid and KCHIP. The complete SJR 26 report is publicly accessible here.
Also during the 2025 Legislative Session, House Bill 3 (introduced by Representative Amy Neighbors, R-Edmonton) was identified as a priority of the House to pass during this term, was heard in the House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance, and secured the enthusiastic support of 20 co-sponsors. The language of HB 3 would ensure that pharmacists are reimbursed by Medicaid and KCHIP for all services within our scope of practice and at a rate not less than other non-physician practitioners are paid for the same services.
The language of 2025 HB 3 has been re-introduced by Senator Richardson as Senate Bill 38.
The language of 2025 HB 3 has been re-introduced by Senator Richardson as Senate Bill 38.
Our remaining legislative priorities are presented in no particular order and were given no comparative rankings by the members of our Association.
Pharmacist Authority to Administer Controlled Substances Pursuant to Prescription Order
KPhA supports amendment of the Controlled Substances Act, enacted in KRS 218A, to clarify that pharmacists are authorized by our practice act, KRS 315, to administer drugs including controlled substances. KPhA is committed to educating policymakers on the current discrepancy in these two statutes and reaching a clear solution for our profession.
Pharmacist Inclusion in the Furnishing of Medical Cannabis
As the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program is implemented, KPhA reminds the Commonwealth of the pharmacist's role as the medication expert in our healthcare system. We will continue to advocate for the inclusion of pharmacists as part of the care team for patients using medical cannabis.
Prior Authorization Reform
KPhA supports reforming and, in appropriate cases, removing prior authorization requirements for clinically appropriate treatment as determined by healthcare providers and patients through shared decision-making. We specifically advocate for reducing requirements for prior authorization of prescription medications, which burden pharmacists and prescribers and can delay essential patient care.
KPhA will support any prior authorization reform legislation in 2026 and will advocate for the General Assembly’s consideration of prescription medication prior authorization requirements.
KPhA will support any prior authorization reform legislation in 2026 and will advocate for the General Assembly’s consideration of prescription medication prior authorization requirements.