The state’s hospitals are playing out the “what if’s” as lawmakers consider whether to expand Medicaid as part of the federal health care overhaul. Their study says 90,000 Tennessee jobs could be lost if the expansion does not occur.
Corker Accuses States of Bilking Medicaid with Bed Tax
Tennessee Senator Bob Corker, who is an increasingly central character in the fiscal cliff drama, wants to end what he calls a “massive bed tax.” Hospitals say without it, some could be forced to close.
TN Republicans Vow to Block Medicaid Expansion
Two Tennessee Republicans say they’re going to make sure the state doesn’t expand its insurance program for the poor. Governor Bill Haslam has been on the fence. Senator Brian Kelsey of Memphis and incoming Republican Jeremy Durham of Franklin – who is running unopposed for the state House – say they’ll file a bill the day after the election to block the expansion of TennCare.
THA Warns of Hospital Closures Due to Federal Cuts
The Tennessee Hospital Association is warning of possible closures if federal spending is reduced as planned. The first in nearly a nearly decade of planned cuts begins October 1st.