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Governor's new, proposed budget cuts 80,000 low-income, very sick people from TennCare!
Calls are needed, TODAY, tonight, and tomorrow to your state legislators!
The Medically Needy (Spend Down) program was closed by the governor in 2005 when he cut 170,000 people from TennCare. At that time, he promised to reopen this program to100,000 very sick people (elderly, disabled, and relative caregivers) in the near future. However, the governor once again breaks his promise and is proposing that when this program finally opens back up in the October 2008 that it will be capped at 20,000 people. This is a cut of 80,000 people and 3 1/2 years after it was closed in April of 2005. In the governor's budget address to state legislators on Monday evening, he described this as a cut back in an expansion. PLEASE!
The Governor's new budget cuts $460,000,000 out of the state budget, $80,000,000 from TennCare. This is not necessary for several reasons:
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Why cut very sick needy people off TennCare when thousands of vacant positions in state government remain unfilled;
- Why cuts folks off who are on kidney dialysis, have HIV/AIDS, and other very serious medical conditions and force there people to go without care, or die, or shift the costs to local governments or hospitals;
- By cutting this care, local government will have to bear much of the burden without the advantage of receiving $2 federal dollars for each $1 state dollar spent on care;
- In addition, these cuts are being proposed while TennCare sits on a reserve of $550,000,000;
- Also, this administration has refused to close over $150,000,000 in loop-holes by multi-state corporations (corporate welfare); and
- The governor has ignored our call for a safety-net for 40,000 very sick people with life threatening medical conditions being cut from TennCare between now and October.
Please call your state legislators. You have one state representative and one state senator. Your state legislators must hear from you today, tonight or tomorrow. Leave a message if necessary. Please call. Tell your legislators to speak out against cutting 80,000 people off TennCare. Legislators must find a better way to balance its budget. To find out who your state legislators are, go to: http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
In addition, ask your two state legislators to support the Long Term Care Community Choices Act. This bill is currently stuck in the House Budget Subcommittee of the Finance Committee. If you live in one of the counties listed below, it is especially important to call and email your two legislators.
House Budget Subcommittee & their counties:
Blount County
Rep. Doug Overbey (R),
201 War Memorial Bldg, Nashville, TN
37243-0120
(615) 741-0981, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x10981
rep.doug.overbey@legislature.state.tn.us
Claiborne, Grainger, and Jefferson Counties
Rep. Dennis E. Roach (R),
217 War Memorial Bldg, Nashville, TN 37243-0135
(615) 741-2534, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x12534
rep.dennis.roach@legislature.state.tn.us
Davidson County
Rep. Gary Odom (D), 18A
Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0155
(615) 741-4410, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x14410
rep.gary.odom@legislature.state.tn.us
Hancock and Hawkins Counties
Rep. Michael Harrison (R),
206A War Memorial Bldg., Nashville, TN 37243-0109
(615) 741-7480, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x17480
rep.mike.harrison@legislature.state.tn.us
Hardeman and Madison Counties
Rep. Johnny W. Shaw (D),
33 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0180
(615) 741-4538, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x14538
rep.johnny.shaw@legislature.state.tn.us
Hardin, McNairy, and Decatur Counties
Rep. Randy Rinks (D), 18
Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0171
(615) 741-2007, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x12007
rep.randy.rinks@legislature.state.tn.us
Henderson, Chester, Decatur, and Wayne Counties
Rep. Steve McDaniel (R),
115 War Memorial Bldg, Nashville, TN 37243-0172
(615) 741-0750, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x10750
rep.steve.mcdaniel@legislature.state.tn.us
Knox County
Rep. Joseph E. Armstrong
(D) , 25 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0115
(615) 741-0768, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x10768
rep.joe.armstrong@legislature.state.tn.us
Knox County
Rep. Harry J. Tindell (D),
33 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0113
(615) 741-2031, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x12031
rep.harry.tindell@legislature.state.tn.us
Lauderdale, Crockett, and Dyer Counties
Rep. Craig Fitzhugh (D),
33 Legislative Plaza ,Nashville, TN 37243-0182
(615)741-2134, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x12134
rep.craig.fitzhugh@legislature.state.tn.us
Shelby County
Rep. Lois M. DeBerry (D),m
15 Legislative Plaza, Nashville, TN 37243-0191
(615) 741-3830, Toll Free:
1-800-449-8366, x13830
rep.lois.deberry@legislature.state.tn.us
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Take care, Tony Garr,tgarr@thcc2.org