FRANKFORT, Ky. — State Rep. Ken Fleming received the 2026 Kentucky Dental Association Presidential Citation Award for his legislative efforts to strengthen the state's Medicaid dental program, the House Majority Caucus announced.

Fleming, R-Louisville, said in a statement that improving oral health outcomes for Kentucky's Medicaid beneficiaries begins with effective administration and oversight of the dental program. "This also means ensuring providers are adequately reimbursed so they can continue serving Medicaid patients and providing the dental care they need," Fleming said.

The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Kentucky Dental Association and the dental health of Kentuckians. Fleming sponsored House Bill 2, the Kentucky Medicaid Reform Act, during the 2026 Regular Session. The legislation includes provisions to transition Medicaid-covered dental services to an administrative services organization model, aiming to improve program oversight and administration.

Fleming also played what the House Majority Caucus described as an instrumental role in advancing Medicaid dental services reimbursement improvements included in House Bill 500, the state's two-year budget. The appropriations bill allocates $16 million in state funds and $63.2 million in federal funds over the biennium to support improved provider reimbursement rates.

Advocates have emphasized that dentists need to be reimbursed at higher rates for the services they provide to Kentucky's Medicaid population. Fleming said in a statement that progress on the dental program "is the result of working together, listening to providers, and understanding the challenges our dentists face in caring for Medicaid patients."