Anti-Medicaid expansion lawmaker criticizes radio ads
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – State House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada, a staunch opponent of Gov. Bill Haslam’s proposal to extend health coverage to 200,000 low-income Tennesseans, is criticizing radio ads targeting fellow Republicans for failing to condemn the plan.
Casada said Friday that the Tennessee chapter of the conservative Americans for Prosperity is engaging in “dishonest scare tactics” by running a 60-second radio ad accusing Republican Rep. Kevin Brooks of Cleveland of betraying a promise to oppose President Barack Obama’s health care law.
Casada says that while he agrees with the group’s core principles, the ads are “inaccurate, ineffective” and hurt Americans for Prosperity’s reputation among state lawmakers. He says the group would be better served by going after liberal lawmakers.
A special session on Haslam’s health care proposal starts Feb. 2.
