In May 2006, the state legislature passed Cover Tennessee. It has four major parts:

• CoverKids
• Cover Tennessee for small employers
• Access Tennessee for people with medical conditions and
• CoverRx for people without prescription drug coverage
• Safety-Net Update as of 12/5/06 - State's Safety-Net Webpage

The Tennessee Health Care Campaign (THCC) has done an analysis of this program. It has some good, not so good and bad parts. As you review the plans, enroll or not enroll and participate, let us know what you think. It doesn't matter what we think. What matters is how it works on the ground. How it works for you.

In conducting its analysis, THCC used the principles set out by the Institute of Medicine to grade and score the different components of the governor's plan that was approved by the state legislature. Here are links to summary of these principles:

1. Health care coverage should be universal.

2. Health care coverage should be continuous.

3. Health care coverage should be affordable for individuals and families.

4. The health care strategy should be affordable and sustainable for society.

5. Health care coverage should enhance health and well-being by promoting access to high-quality care that is effective, efficient, safe, timely, patient centered, and equitable.

Cover Tennessee also will extend coverage to a very limited number of low-income, uninsurable adults who were cut from TennCare. This is called Access Tennessee. It will also provide premium assistance for those who are below twice poverty. Clink on Cover Tennessee and read the entire law. Access Tennessee goes from pages 3 to 17.

Advocates View of Cover Tennessee

Analysis of Cover Tennessee

Overview by State Administration- Cover Tennessee

Governor's Speech - March 27, 2006

July 2005 -Description of the Governor's plan and his safety-net:

For information, go to TennCare Updates and the Governor's Safety-Net.

Safety-Net Brochure