Government Relations Report

This has been a busy month for the GR committee. We are working on several big legislative topics.

I’ve met w/ Jill Cole, LMT at UK Integrative Medicine and Health Clinic and Adrielle Camuel, KY state rep. Jill contacted me as she had been in contact with James Specker regarding the possibility of billing MT services through health insurance. Representative Camuel has mentioned that there is interest in putting forth a piece of legislation in the 2027 General Assembly to this end. After our in-person meeting, I forwarded information to James Specker, AMTA National GR chair, about this meeting. She sent me a draft of what they are proposing and James has a copy as well. We will continue to work on the details of this bill. We want your input as LMTs in Kentucky. What are your thoughts on pros and cons of accepting health insurance for Massage Therapy services?

With regards to the Interstate Compact, James Specker, Bob Babbage (our state lobbyist) and I have had meetings with Council of State Governments (CSG) state representative, Grant Minix, and others to discuss the changes to the Massage Compact. The Department of Defense (DoD) and the CSG contacted James at the end of last year to propose changes and discuss those changes with AMTA. There is much misinformation regarding AMTA changing the Compact on their own as well as other aspects of the compact that are not being presented factually. The CSG put out a letter on 1/14/26 describing their process. Here is the link to their statement and Summary of key provisions: http://scnr.pro/2rgytdzstz https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TyFcKg3x2CgW7zgabmh5UfO55l4nLvWW7PywRXFDvXo/edit?usp=sharing. I hope this clears up some of the confusion and answers questions you may have around the current version of the Compact. We look forward to Kentucky becoming a part of the Interstate Compact and for it to be able to move more seamlessly to other states who are interested and eligible. 

Finally, many communications have taken place with Bob Babbage, Adrian Bonham, LMT Louisville, Denise Logsdon and James Specker regarding the Louisville Human Trafficking ordinance proposed and passed by Louisville City Council member, Jeff Hudson. There is a group of Louisville LMTs that was formed by Denise Logsdon, Kim Guenther and Adrian Bonham as they are in Louisville on the “front lines” so to speak. They are working on amending certain portions of this ordinance. Denise has more detailed information to share on this ordinance. 

As always, I can be reached at: grchair@amtaky.org

In health, Ann

Ann E. Boone, LMT, BCTMB, MLD-C
AMTA-KY GR Chair

Remember: Please continue to check the KBLMT website for any updates (bmt.ky.gov).

We will share updates as we receive them as well.

If you have any further questions, please contact Ann E. Boone, LMT at grchair@amtaky.or