News Summary
Dr. Steven Stack, the incoming Kentucky Secretary of Health and Family Services, has raised alarms over potential federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, warning of significant health declines for vulnerable populations. Stack, who previously served as the state’s public health commissioner, emphasized the critical importance of these programs in maintaining health standards in Kentucky and plans to advocate for collaboration within the state legislature to improve health services and support for families amid looming federal funding reductions.
Frankfort, Kentucky — Dr. Steven Stack, set to take over as Kentucky’s secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on July 1, has voiced serious concerns over potential federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), indicating that such cuts could lead to major declines in the state’s health conditions. Stack, who will be leaving his position as the state’s public health commissioner, described the proposed cuts as “profound” and warned that they could push vulnerable individuals “from the edge of despair … into despair.” This shift follows his lengthy 20-year career in medicine and prior roles, including serving as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee and a board member of the American Medical Association.
Stack’s role will involve managing a state agency comprised of approximately 8,000 employees and overseeing a budget that extends into the billions of dollars, focused on critical human services such as Medicaid, foster care, and support for the elderly and disabled. He will replace Eric Friedlander, who is retiring, while Dr. John Langefeld is poised to take on the role of public health commissioner.
In light of health challenges that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, Stack recognized the complex nature of decision-making in public health emergencies, stressing that the stakes are exceptionally high. He experienced physical fatigue throughout the pandemic but did not encounter emotional burnout, attributing his resilience to the importance of the work at hand. For inspiration and perspective, Stack often turns to history books as a way to navigate contemporary crises.
The intersection of politics and healthcare is a focal point for Stack, who believes that political negotiations heavily influence health decisions. He expressed concern over a growing trend where personal beliefs begin to overshadow scientific evidence, which he argues poses a threat to public health initiatives. The necessity for alignment between state-level health decisions and federal guidelines is pivotal, especially concerning pharmaceuticals, complicating the challenge of leading through political controversies.
During his tenure, Stack will engage with the Kentucky legislature to foster collaboration, aiming to enhance services addressing kinship care and support for foster children. He remains optimistic that Kentucky can improve its health status, referencing a recent improvement in national health rankings, where the state moved from 47th to 41st. He credits this advancement largely to the expansion of Medicaid, which has improved healthcare access, although he acknowledges persistent issues linked to poverty and regional disparities that affect health outcomes.
Economic development and job creation are also vital components in Stack’s vision for better health in Kentucky. He noted that providing well-paying jobs with health insurance would facilitate improved health metrics throughout the population. However, cuts to programs like SNAP and Medicaid could deepen the struggles of Kentucky’s most vulnerable communities and hinder the state’s health improvement efforts.
As he prepares for his upcoming role, Stack has emphasized his commitment to supporting initiatives from Governor Andy Beshear, ensuring that families have necessary resources and optimizing the cabinet’s current resources, particularly in the face of looming federal funding cuts. He warned that reductions in federal funds could lead to devastating impacts on health services available to Kentuckians.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has a broad mandate, and Stack’s leadership will be focused on fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency in decision-making, seeking to mitigate the adverse effects of potential unfavorable changes at the federal level.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky Lantern: Conversation with Dr. Steven Stack
- WHAS11: Kentucky’s Medicaid CFO Cuts
- Fox 56 News: Health Advocate Concerned
- Kentucky.com: Opinion on Medicaid Cuts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Medicaid
