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Insuring Thousands of Tennesseans

98 views · Published 29 January 2015 · 2:27 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2015 · News & Politics

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Dr. Vonda Ware sees many patients each year, who cannot afford their premiums. They go to the doctor when there is is an emergency, versus keeping up with preventative health care. 

She believes Insure Tennessee is an important first step in changing health care. 

"This is very important to move from disease and disease management, to preventative health," Ware said. "To health and wellness for our parents." 

Governor Bill Haslam has worked for two years on a plan to extend health coverage to close to 280,000 lower income Tennesseans.   
      
"This is an opportunity for Tennesseans who don't have coverage to have that at no cost to state government," Haslam said. 

The money for Insure Tennessee will come from a federal account and, hospital assessment fees. 

New numbers released Wednesday say the program is expected to cost $664 million in federal money the first budget year.

Both Dr. Ware and Haslam say focusing on primary health care will help decrease our nations debt by lowering health care costs. 

But there are critics of the plan, who believe there are legal issues, and that the federal government should not be so involved.

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