Kentucky, I’ve heard your calls of concern about painful cuts to Medicaid and behavioral health services brought on by the General Assembly. I’m listening and I want to help. But to bring change, I need you to raise your voice along with me. –
Lawmakers discussing lifeline for Lee Specialty Clinic (WHAS11)
Kentucky lawmakers are now in conversations to add funding back to a clinic relied on by over a thousand families. Lee Specialty Clinic in south Louisville makes life-changing improvements in its adult patients, for example, helping them learn to speak.
Budget cuts at Kentucky specialty clinic place dental care access at risk (Becker’s Dental)
About 1,000 patients with disabilities are expected to lose access to dental and other medical services at Lee Specialty Clinic in Louisville, Ky., after the state-owned facility was hit with budget cuts, Louisville Public Media reported June 13.
![Meet The Tembeleskis [VIDEO]](https://saveleespecialtyclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMG_3756-cropped-800x533.jpeg)
Meet The Tembeleskis [VIDEO]
Steve Tembeleski’s son Alex gets medical, dental and psychological care at Louisville’s Lee Specialty Clinic, a state-owned facility that provides comprehensive care to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Alex, a 31-year-old who was born with a genetic intellectual disability, is one of roughly a thousand Kentuckians who will likely lose their care team as the clinic must cut roughly two-thirds of its budget starting next month.
“Mario’s future matters.” (Tony C. Cipolla)
I have remained silent on this issue for weeks.
Not because I didn’t care.
Not because it doesn’t affect my family.
But because I wanted to understand the facts before I spoke.
I have spent countless hours reading legislation, budget documents, news reports, public statements, and available information surrounding House Bill 2, House Bill 500, Medicaid funding, Lee Specialty Clinic, and the future of services for Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
SaveLeeClinic.org T-shirts & Yard Signs
Bright yellow t-shirts & yard signs featuring “SAVE LEE CLINIC” have been ordered.
The shirts will be in hand in time for the Medical Oversight Advisory Board (MOAB) meeting in Frankfort on Thursday, June 24th.
Families, caregivers, self-advocates, providers and supporters are encouraged to attend and advocate against Medicaid reimbursement cuts and raise concerns about the impact on specialty providers like Lee Clinic and access to care for individuals with disabilities.
What Is Lee Specialty Clinic & Why It Matters (Council on Developmental Disabilities)
Lee Specialty Clinic is Kentucky’s only medical and behavioral clinic designed specifically for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Families rely on this clinic because the staff understand complex needs, communication differences, sensory challenges, and behavioral supports in ways typical healthcare settings cannot.
These specialists are often called “unicorns” — because their expertise is rare, irreplaceable, and essential.
Deep cuts in the new state budget are causing major service disruptions at the state-owned Lee Specialty Clinic (Kentucky Center for Economic Policy)
Deep cuts in the new state budget are causing major service disruptions at the state-owned Lee … Deep cuts in the new state budget are causing major service disruptions at the state-owned Lee Specialty Clinic (Kentucky Center for Economic Policy)Read more
Families plan Frankfort rally to save specialty clinic for adults needing special care (WHAS11)
Staff say despite the risk of patients biting them, they want to keep their jobs and … Families plan Frankfort rally to save specialty clinic for adults needing special care (WHAS11)Read more
Patients with disabilities face fewer care options as Louisville clinic cuts services (Spectrum News)
Patients with disabilities are losing access to a unique health clinic. State leaders said budget cuts … Patients with disabilities face fewer care options as Louisville clinic cuts services (Spectrum News)Read more