# Beshear processes health bills as legislature returns for final two days  
**Published:** 2026-04-13T21:45:13.000Z  
**Source:** [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/04/13/beshear-addresses-most-health-related-bills-on-his-desk-with-2-more-days-left-in-legislative-session/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/beshear-processes-health-bills-as-legislature-returns-for-final-two-days

LEXINGTON, Ky. — As Kentucky's 2026 legislative session heads into its final stretch, Gov. Andy Beshear has been addressing health-related legislation from his desk during the veto period that ends as [Kentucky Health News reported](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/04/13/beshear-addresses-most-health-related-bills-on-his-desk-with-2-more-days-left-in-legislative-session/).

[The governor signed House Bills 169 and 178](https://www.14news.com/2026/04/13/gov-beshear-signs-legislation-requiring-coverage-mental-health-conditions-eating-disorders/) to enhance coverage for mental health conditions and eating disorders, continuing his push to expand health care protections for Kentuckians. Earlier, Beshear signed legislation creating an autism spectrum disorder trust fund and supporting Alzheimer's disease research and organ donation initiatives.

[During the final days before the veto period began April 2, lawmakers sent at least 25 health-related bills to the governor's desk](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/04/06/25-health-related-bills-on-gov-beshears-desk-one-already-signed-into-law-and-another-vetoed/), addressing issues ranging from Medicaid reform to peer support specialist licensing and a statewide health data utility. [The governor vetoed Senate Bill 173, which would have created an annual Medicaid state plan legislative review process, calling it a "legislative power grab" in his veto letter.](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/04/06/25-health-related-bills-on-gov-beshears-desk-one-already-signed-into-law-and-another-vetoed/)

Key legislation awaiting final action includes the Kentucky Medicaid Reform Act, which would align the state's Medicaid program with federal community engagement requirements, and bills supporting health care workforce development and sexual assault nurse examiners. [When the General Assembly returns April 14 and 15, lawmakers will be able to override any vetoes and pass remaining legislation.](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/04/06/25-health-related-bills-on-gov-beshears-desk-one-already-signed-into-law-and-another-vetoed/)

Gov. Beshear has 10 days from the end of the veto period to sign bills into law, allow them to become law without his signature or veto them.

## Sources

- [Kentucky Health News](https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/04/13/beshear-addresses-most-health-related-bills-on-his-desk-with-2-more-days-left-in-legislative-session/)
- [Lexington Times coverage of 25 health bills on governor's desk](https://lexingtonky.news/2026/04/06/25-health-related-bills-on-gov-beshears-desk-one-already-signed-into-law-and-another-vetoed/)
- [Gov. Beshear signs mental health and eating disorder legislation](https://www.14news.com/2026/04/13/gov-beshear-signs-legislation-requiring-coverage-mental-health-conditions-eating-disorders/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Kentucky Health News, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://kyhealthnews.net/2026/04/13/beshear-addresses-most-health-related-bills-on-his-desk-with-2-more-days-left-in-legislative-session/.