Haslam undaunted by difficult prospects for Insure Tennessee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam says he is undaunted by the tough prospects his Insure Tennessee proposal faces as it moves to its next Senate committee.
The Republican governor told reporters on Thursday that the more often lawmakers take up his plan, the more chances his administration has to quell concerns about the proposal to extend health coverage to 280,000 low-income Tennesseans by drawing down $2.8 billion in federal funds.
Haslam’s original proposal failed in a special legislative session last month, but has been revived by a Democratic lawmaker in the Senate. The resolution was approved by the Senate Health Committee on a 6-2 vote on Wednesday, but faces tough prospects at its next stop.
Haslam says is willing to risk defeat to highlight the need for improving health standards in Tennessee.
