Medicaid Expansion Decision; was it a win?
by Tricia Stickel, Spring Hill

Today the Governor said he would not participate in the Medicaid expansion, but that he had another plan.  A few groups are upset and not trusting the decision.  Several articles blasting the Governor for “back door Medicaid plan”.  As far as I am concerned we got what we wanted TODAY, and for the rest of the year.

               *Governor said No to medicaid expansion
               *He said he would not implement a plan without the legislature.

*SB0804 was passed and moved to full committee stating that a JOINT resolution must be obtained before a  medicaid expansion plan can be implemented

I do not know enough information about a third plan to have an opinion about it.  What will our plan look like?  Will it expand medicaid? Where will the money come from for the plan?  And for me, will this plan be considered part of the Federal Affordable Care Act?

So today, I thank the members of the House and Senate who have fought for us against Medicaid expansion.  I thank Governor Haslam for the decision to not expand medicaid and look forward to hearing from our legislators as they find the answers to the “Tennessee Plan”.

So many of us worked to make this a success today.  It feels like a win, and I am going to feel good about that today. I trust my Representative and Senator to follow up on this and to stand with us should this new plan not be in our best interest.

Tricia Stickel
Spring Hill