At the last health care fair in Nashville nearly three months ago, there were more legislators than TennCare dis-enrollees, but turnout at last night’s information fair was better.
Members of Governor Phil Bredesen’s administration including TennCare head JD Hickey as well as representatives from safety net providers such as RX Outreach, were there to answer questions.
The reaction from enrollees was mixed. Some found the information helpful and others like Amanda Bowers, have found navigating the safety net is a full-time job.
“I’m so frustrated. I don’t know what to do, I mean it’s like you just want to just go in there and start screaming at those people, ‘what are you doing? What are you saying here?’ And then this little woman in there says we you just call this number, this 211 and we’ll tell you what to do and will give you ideas of where you can go and where you can help. And I said, well ok, for one, just tell me where I can get some oxygen.”
Bowers, who has emphysema, says there were no resources for oxygen available.
Administration officials have long contended that the safety net would not be perfect and would not suit everyone’s individual case. But the administration told several enrollees last night that something better is coming, and says it is working on a plan for long term health access beyond TennCare.
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