Since 1923, Easterseals has been helping children and adults with disabilities, developmental delays, and other challenges live fuller lives. For more than a century, our mission has remained constant: to ensure every person has the opportunity to play, learn, work, and live in their community with dignity and support.
The services we provide are not optional. They are life-changing.
A child with autism may benefit from sensory tools that help them feel more comfortable and confident in everyday settings. A child with special healthcare needs deserves the opportunity to learn alongside peers while receiving full-time nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in one place. An adult with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy may rely on daily nursing care, therapeutic support, and meaningful social engagement so a parent or caregiver can go to work with peace of mind.
Every day, families come to Easterseals Bluegrass looking for hope, expertise, and support.
Every day, our team is here to provide it.
Beginning August 1, Kentucky Medicaid reimbursement rates for many providers will be reduced by 4%. These rates help fund the essential healthcare and therapeutic services we provide for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
For our organization and our clients, the reduction has real and lasting consequences.
There will be a significant impact on our Adult Day Health program, where 92% of our clients rely on Medicaid. Their ability to participate in our program depends on this critical source of funding. Approximately half of our nearly 400 pediatric therapy clients similarly rely on Medicaid.
“This 4% reduction in Medicaid reimbursement represents a significant challenge for Easterseals Bluegrass. It widens an already existing gap between the cost of providing exceptional care and the funding available to support it. While four percent may sound small on paper, the impact on nonprofit healthcare providers like Easterseals Bluegrass is substantial.”
Jamie Ellis, CEO
The effects of this reduction extend beyond a line item in a budget. Early intervention services will become more difficult to sustain. Operational costs will continue to rise. Recruiting and retaining highly qualified therapists, nurses, and healthcare professionals will become even more challenging. Waitlists, which are already too long for many families, may continue to grow.
Yet even in the face of these challenges, our mission remains unchanged.
“A reduction in funding will never change our commitment to the children, adults, and families we serve,” Ellis said. “The people who rely on Easterseals Bluegrass don’t stop needing services because funding changes. Parents and caregivers still need support. Families still face complex challenges. Our responsibility to them remains unchanged.”
“Our staff will continue providing the high-quality services our community has come to expect. We will continue advocating for those whose voices too often go unheard. And we will continue believing that every person deserves the opportunity to play, learn, work, and live as a valued member of our community.”
“We are not asking our community to replace Medicaid,” Ellis said. “We are asking you to help us bridge the gap. When government funding falls short, our community has the opportunity to step forward so financial challenges never become barriers to the care our clients depend on every day.”
How Our Community Can Help
For decades, there has been a gap between what Medicaid reimburses and the actual cost of delivering high-quality, individualized care. Philanthropy has helped to fund essential services, specialized equipment, staff training, and innovative programs that are not fully covered.
Today, that support is more important than ever.
Whether you make a one-time gift, become a monthly donor through the 23 Club, attend one of our fundraising events, or share our mission with others, you can help ensure that children and adults continue to receive the life-changing care and support they need.
Every act of generosity helps strengthen our community and creates brighter futures for the individuals and families we serve.
Together, we can bridge the gap.