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Families and clinicians warn closure of Lee Specialty Clinic would leave 1,300 patients without specialized care
Summary
Dozens of family members, clinicians and advocates told the Kentucky Medicaid Oversight Board that the administration’s elimination of Lee Specialty Clinic’s operating contract and a deep outpatient cut would force patients into emergency rooms, institutional care or out-of-state treatment unless the legislature or governor restores budgeted funding.
Dozens of patients’ family members and clinicians told the Medicaid Oversight Board on Tuesday that the state’s decision to eliminate the operating contract for the Lee Specialty Clinic threatens care for roughly 1,300 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Scott Brinkman, a parent whose son has attended the clinic for 11 years, told the board the clinic’s staff and cross‑disciplinary services are “a model that’s working” and warned that “once staff at the clinic begin to leave…these 1,300 individuals and families are going to suffer severe hardship.”
The testimonials followed a brief announcement from board leadership that the administration had eliminated Lee’s operating contract for outpatient services. Multiple speakers said the cabinet and governor had earlier supported funding in the enacted budget; families said they were blindsided by a rapid contract change and an outpatient reimbursement cut they described as about 89 percent.
Dr. Paula Robinson, a physician at Lee Specialty Clinic, said the clinic’s multidisciplinary approach prevents unnecessary hospitalization and unsafe medication strategies for patients who often cannot communicate medical symptoms. “If you had a precious three‑year‑old that somehow was in an adult body, where would you take that person for medical care?” she asked the board. “At the Lee Clinic the dental hygienists and the speech therapists will walk out to the car to help you get your three‑year‑old into the dental chair.”
Family members offered case examples and argued that sending patients to general hospitals or institutional placements would increase costs. One speaker, Corey Net’s representative, said placing 14 patients in institutional care would cost roughly the clinic’s annual budget and that many patients would instead rely on emergency departments if specialized outpatient care disappears.
Auditor Allison Ball and members of the legislature questioned whether ongoing budget and audit work could cover gaps; Secretary Steven Stack, representing the executive branch, told the board he did not intend for families to be used as “political pawns” and said he expects the governor to announce a temporary remedy to sustain the clinic “through this next year.” Stack asked the public to continue advocacy while the executive and legislative branches work toward a solution.
The board did not take a vote. Multiple parents and providers urged a quick resolution so staff do not leave and services are not permanently disrupted; members said they would press the administration for a detailed plan to preserve access.
The Oversight Board adjourned after public comment. Members asked the administration to provide a written plan for how patients will continue to access covered Medicaid services now that the contract has been eliminated.
