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Walter Davis
Executive Director THCC 500 Interstate Blvd. S Nashville, TN 37210 615-227-7500 877-431-7083 Fax 615-846-1946 |
Welcome to THCC |
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Please pardon our mess while we re-construct a bigger, better, and more attractive website for you. If you aren't able to find what you need, please give us a call. Many thanks for your patience! Governor Haslam Rejects Medicaid Expansion (kind of) On Wednesday, March 27th, Governor Bill Haslam declared that he would not be accepting the billions of dollars available from the federal government to cover our state's uninsured through Medicaid. You can read and watch his statement here at this link. Of course, we're happy to hear that he's looking at innovative ways of covering Tennesseans, but we're afraid that his way will end up costing Tennesseans more and/or covering less people. Here is a variety of responses to the Governor's statement, including one from THCC. You can also read our press release here.
Expanding Medicaid for a Healthy Tennessee Visit this website to learn what's at stake for Tennessee and Tennesseans as Gov. Haslam weighs in on the issue of accepting the federal funds needed to cover our state's uninsured. Sign the petition, read up on the issue, get the latest news, and see the vast number and array of supporters. Make sure the governor and legislators know that you support a healthy Tennessee!
Obamacare Survives the Supreme Court!
So now it's time to get this party started! With the Supreme Court decision behind us, we can now move forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act so that we can see 700,000 Tennesseeans finally get the care they need and deserve. Our full press release and statement can be found here. Changes in THCC's Direct Service Work Unfortunately, THCC is no longer able to offer assistance with TennCare or charity care resources. Please click here for more info and to see where you may turn for a variety of help and resources.
Impacts of Health Reform in Tennessee
Two recent studies, released by The University of Memphis, have been released that examine the upcoming changes in Tennessee's health care marketplace as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Click below for each individual study. Click here for a quick summary of both studies.
The same research team released an earlier study (Impacts of Health Reform in Shelby County, Tennessee) in December 2010. We're thankful for their foresight in producing these much-needed reports to help prove the case for health reform in our s Tennessee's Health Insurance Exchange
New marketplce for heath insurance with more choices and better coverage.
In 2014, small-business owners and uninsured individuals will shop for health insurance through a new health insurance marketplace. Click here to learn more.
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Because of THCC's staff, Hank from Congressman Cohen's office says that we saved a life. Listen to Hank's voice message.
"The doctor told me that I had lung cancer and was dying," says Sandy Hepler of Jackson County, Tennessee. "With the help of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, I was able to qualify for SSI and get TennCare and treatment. Months and maybe years have been added to my life. There is more work that I must do before I die. To me, TennCare is the embodiment of compassion. I am so grateful that TennCare would help an old man like me. TennCare has saved my life," says Sandy. Calls are needed daily! Ask your members of Congress to protect low-income seniors, people who are disabled, and children as they move forward to fix the country's debt problem. It took years to create this debt problem and it will take just as long and longer to fix it. Call toll-free 1-866-922-4970 to talk with a capitol operator and ask to be connected with your U.S. Senator and Congressperson. Thirty-four prominent Tennessee organizations (34) have signed on as Partners to the Coalition to Control Spending with Care. These organization either represent or care for millions of Tennesseans. Click here for a complete list of the 34 Partners. You will need to make three calls to talk with U.S. Senator Alexander, Senator Corker, and your member of Congress. Click here for the email explaining why it is important for you to make the call. Click here for talking points, and click here for a copy of the newspaper AD that will appear in major newspapers on Thursday. The Tennessee Health Care Campaign with the Tennessee Hospital Association has led the effort to create the Coalition to Control Spending With Care (CCSC). You can also click here to see how THCC is working with the CCSC. We have come together around a brief, yet important, statement: "Controlling healthcare spending over the long run is critical in securing our country’s financial future. However, a narrow focus on just federal health spending will cause serious harm to Medicare and Medicaid patients and their families, while placing tremendous financial pressure on states and providers. Instead, the patient must be at the center of the discussion, and the focus must be on the drivers of healthcare spending. Public policy should be aimed directly at:
These policies would yield powerful cost reductions at all levels of care. It is critical that we all work together to produce a sensible solution to the issue." Call your two U.S. Senators and your member of congress today: 1-866-922-4970 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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THCC
2011 Annual Conference
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The Challenge Much of the health law's success or failure will be determined at the state level. Even with federal guidelines, states will have lots of flexibility. Tennessee's reform will be different than Mississippi's. Will you still have your protections? |
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States will have four options for structuring its exchange: an existing state government agency, a new agency, a nonprofit entity, or a multi-state exchange. |
This model legislation lists options that the state will have in governance, certifying health plans, determining eligibility, participation of brokers and agents, role of navigators, and much more. |
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Implementation Work Groups The Affordable Care Act has many revolving parts. Join other volunteers in understanding the options that we have in Tennessee. Click one of the work groups to found out more. Click on one of the names and let them know that you want to participate on one of the work groups. You can live anywhere in Tennessee. They will participate via toll free conference calls. Medicaid Expansion - Dan Ramey Insurance Exchange - Tony Garr Behavioral Health - Beth Uselton Health Equity - Yolonda McClain |
Big things happened on Sept. 23 for the people of Tennessee
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Time Again for Do you work for the state or federal government, Nashville government or public schools, Vanderbilt University, or a public university or technology center? If so, the annual employee (workplace) giving campaign will soon be happening. Now is the time for you to choose your charity giving for the coming year via automatic payroll deduction. THCC is a member of Community Shares, which is a federation of Tennessee-based community groups who have joined together to raise funds for social change. We are asking that you please consider giving to us through Community Shares during the workplace giving campaign. We know that times are tough for individuals, families, and nonprofit groups. However, if you are able to give at this time, it makes a lot of sense to give to us through Community Shares, so you can stretch your giving dollars while supporting both THCC and the progressive community. Thank you! |
Giving to THCC through your workplace giving campaign is easy! You
simply: For just a few dollars each paycheck, you can help support THCC and the important work we do. For instance, $2 per week = $104 annual gift! Workplace giving campaigns and THCC's Codes: Metro
Nashville Govt., Nashville Electric Service (NES), and Nashville
Metro & Davidson Co. Schools, and Vanderbilt University
and VU Medical Center State
Employees and TECC Federal
Employees and CFC TN
Board of Regents |
THCC
Speakers’ Network
Tennesseans Educating Tennesseans
About Health Care Reform
Celebrate the historic health care law that is part of our American continuum of justice! Be part of our Speakers' Network and help schedule and make presentations about what's in the new health reform law and why it's good for Tennessee and America!
Health
Care Justice Organizations Unite to
Celebrate... Educate... Motivate... Activate!
From Memphis to Knoxville, Clarksville to Chattanooga
and places in between, 100 Tennesseans gathered in Nashville on
June 12 to celebrate the historic health reform victory and to
kick-off THCC's new public education initiative: Health Reform:
What's in It for Me & Tennessee?
THCC executive director Tony Garr begins the day by congratulating the audience on their efforts that resulted in the recent health care reform victory ... but reminded them that the work is far from over!
Nationally recognized health policy expert Gordon Bonnyman (who hails from Knoxville and lives in Nashville) Wowed! the crowd with his knowledge and dry wit as he discussed where we go from here.
Jessica Larochelle, Field Director with Families USA, complimented THCC and its supporters as some of the best and most dedicated groups in the country, and credited us as being an important part of the health care justice movement.
The all-day Saturday event was wall-to-wall discussion and learning, with nationally recognized health policy experts, including pictured above: Larry Goldberg, CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Jessica Larochelle of Families USA; and U.S. Representative Jim Cooper.
In addition to very special thanks to the guests mentioned above, THCC extends special appreciation to the following people, who generously gave their time and talents as guest speakers and workshop presenters:
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Jim Duffett, Executive Director Campaign for Better Health Care - Illinios
Dwight Lewis, Editor, The Tennessean
David Hilley, Director Access TN (high-risk pool)
Tobi Johnson, Tobi Johnson & Associates - Knoxville
Lucy Utt, Commission on Aging
Raphael Smith, Health Care Delivery Consultant & Youth Advisor NAACP
Dave Buchanan, Hospital Quality & Efficiency Expert
Federal Investment is an Outstanding Deal for Tennessee!
A $21.5 BILLION DEAL!
Tennesseans will receive security and peace of mind from the new
health care law, the Patient
Protection and Affordable Care Act. The guarantee of affordable,
quality coverage is essential, yet some worry about the costs.
The state of Tennessee has determined helping Tennessee families
and small businesses will cost the state $1.1 billion over 5 years,
or $220 million per year. This is a very modest investment given
that:
- All 6.1 million Tennesseans will benefit from the reform, including 650,000 who will gain coverage through the Exchange and expansion of TennCare; and
- The federal government is paying for 95 percent of the expansion—to
the tune of $21.5 billion over 5 years ($4.3 billion per year
for 5 years). Put
another way: for each $1 of expansion cost, the federal government
pays 95 cents and the state pays 5 cents.
WE DID IT!
The first major civil rights legislation of the 21st century
happens with the passage of national health care reform!
For more pics and news links of these activities, visit "THCC in the News" section.
"I hope for an America where we can all
contend freely & vigorously, but where we will treasure &
guard those standards of civility which alone make this nation safe
for both democracy & diversity."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy, "Truth & Tolerance in America"
speech, 1983
Ted Kennedy's visionary speech on health care from 1978
Takin' It To The Streets
- 450+ Pro Reformers
Nashville, TN Aug. 13
THCC volunteers and staff at the Families USA Health Action conference in DC in January of this year.
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