NAACP Throws ‘Mock Funeral’ Urging Medicaid Expansion In Tennessee

Minister Ira Rankins delivering a musical tribute during a mock funeral over Medicaid expansion organized by the NAACP. Credit: Bobby Allyn/ WPLN

Activists on Tuesday put together the latest and perhaps most striking demonstration applying pressure on the governor to accept new Medicaid money. A hearse rolled up to War Memorial Plaza and suited men wearing white gloves carried an empty casket within view of the state Capitol. From there, gospel songs, spirited pleas and chants ensued.

The state chapter of the NAACP, the event’s organizers, says the point was that Tennesseans without health care could die if Medicaid isn’t extended to more residents. According to the group, the vast majority of uninsured Tennesseans are African-American, totaling around 118,000 residents.

Meanwhile, Gov. Bill Haslam says he’s still in talks with federal officials over whether he’ll expand the state’s Medicaid program as envisioned under the Affordable Care Act. According to estimates, the expansion would cover an additional 180,000 Tennesseans who are now uninsured. What’s more, hospitals in rural areas of the state have already closed and many others are under threat of shutting down because of cut federal subsidies relied upon by facilities with a high number of Medicaid patents.

Rep. Johnnie Turner was among the 100 or so people who turned out for the event. Turner, who represents Shelby County, says a hospital in West Memphis closed due to a lack of Medicaid funds and that more could come if the governor doesn’t act.

“Everybody deserves the chance to get decent, affordable health-care,” Turner said. “Now that the federal government has provided that, let our philosophical or ideological differences be set aside.”

Haslam has said that he supports better access to health care, but that he can only endorse a plan that works for Tennessee. He has yet to provide specifics.

State lawmakers last year passed a law forcing the governor to ask the legislature to sign off on any Medicaid plan Haslam accepts. Conservative activists applauded its passage.