Pictured (left to right) are Breckinridge Health Chief Executive Officer Angel Portman, State Senator Stephen Meredith, KHA Senior Vice President of Policy & Government Relations Jim Musser, and Breckinridge County Judge Executive Maurice Lucas.
Kentucky State Senator Stephen Meredith was honored with the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) Legislative Champion Award July 31 at Breckinridge Health in Hardinsburg.
The KHA award recognizes state legislators who have exhibited exemplary service to the hospitals of Kentucky and the patients they serve. Senator Meredith has long been one of Kentucky hospitals’ strongest allies in Frankfort, bringing a deep understanding of health care delivery and a steadfast commitment to policies that support hospitals, health care professionals and patients throughout the Commonwealth.
As chair of the Senate Health Services Committee and a former hospital chief executive officer, Senator Meredith has consistently served as a trusted voice on issues affecting hospitals and the communities they serve. His leadership has helped advance practical solutions to some of Kentucky’s most pressing health care challenges, including workforce shortages, rural access to care and fairer relationships between hospitals and insurers.
During the 2026 legislative session, Senator Meredith led on Senate Bill 137, legislation creating a provisional medical license pathway for qualified internationally trained physicians. The measure is designed to help address Kentucky’s physician shortage by allowing experienced physicians who meet Kentucky’s standards to practice under a provisional license, particularly in medically underserved areas.
He also sponsored Senate Bill 12, which would allow Level IV verified trauma centers to use physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses, supervised by physicians, to help cover emergency departments. The proposal would support rural hospitals seeking trauma designation and help strengthen access to emergency care in communities where staffing challenges can limit trauma network participation.
For his outstanding leadership, trusted partnership and steadfast support of Kentucky’s hospitals and the patients they serve, Kentucky’s hospitals are proud to recognize Senator Stephen Meredith as a KHA Legislative Champion.
