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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE KILLS OBAMACARE EXPANSION DURING SPECIAL SESSION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE KILLS OBAMACARE EXPANSION DURING SPECIAL SESSION
FGA EFFORTS PAYOFF AS SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE SAVES TENNESSEANS FROM MASSIVE WELFARE EXPANSION

The Tennessee Senate’s Health and Welfare Committee killed Gov. Bill Haslam’s ObamaCare Medicaid expansion plan, known as Insure Tennessee, on a 7 to 4 vote during a special session today. After months of lobbying by Haslam and the hospital industry, Insure Tennessee didn’t even make it to the floor of the Senate for a vote, ending the special session nearly as soon as it began.

The Foundation for Government Accountability has been working with legislators to educate them about the real consequences for Tennesseans if Insure Tennessee became a reality. Much of the FGA’s work was spent sharing research from states that had expanded, and dispelling the myths about Medicaid expansion being circulated by Haslam and the hospitals.

“This is a great day for Tennessee and it’s a signal to all of the other legislators in states considering expansion that you can stand up for the people of your state,” said Tarren Bragdon, FGA CEO.

“Insure Tennessee would have been nothing short of a disaster for Tennessee’s taxpayers, patients, and healthcare system. We saw time and again in our polling and our work in the state that the people didn’t want ObamaCare expanded there. We are so proud to see the legislature stand up to a conservative governor trying to push the left’s agenda.”

Insure Tennessee would’ve brought back many of the problems the state experienced with TennCare expansion, with unpredictable enrollment and unprecedented costs.

“While we do want to see all people have access to quality health care, Insure Tennessee was the wrong approach,” said Bragdon.

“Now that it’s defeated, the legislature can focus on cultivating sound economic policies that will encourage growth and provide real opportunities to all Tennesseans. Instead of placing able-bodied adults into an expensive welfare program, we can drive job growth and wages so they can control the health care they receive.”

The Tennessee House was scheduled to hear the bill as well, but have declined to do so following the actions of the Senate. Speaker Beth Harwell said she didn’t think the bill had enough votes for passage in the House anyway.

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