Stories
Dr. Phelps on the ACA Lawsuit: “I’m Ringing the Alarm”
In response to today’s arguments in the U.S. Fifth Court of Appeals on the validity of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), challenged in the lawsuit Texas v. United States, Dr. Thomas Phelps, a retired family physician, issued the following response: “We’re getting closer to the possible repeal of the ACA. After the Fifth Circuit rules, the…
Read MoreIt’s Women’s Health Week!
Doctors and Their Patients, Not Insurance Companies, Should Make Health Care Decisions Women’s Health Week evaluates the state of women’s health, which the Affordable Care Act improved. The ACA continues to help women by protecting the 35 percent of Tennessee women with pre-existing conditions, offering free wellness visits that focus on prevention to catch cancer…
Read MoreThis Year’s Excuse to Not Expand Medicaid: Block Grants
Block Grants Would Cut, Not Increase Medicaid Funding Sandra Rice, a retired nurse practitioner and volunteer in a rural free clinic, released the following statement in response to the State Senate passing Medicaid Block Grant Legislation (House Bill 1280 / Senate Bill 1428): “The Tennessee State Legislature still refuses to expand Medicaid, resulting in the…
Read More5 Things to Know About the Medicaid Block Grant Proposals
What Block Grants Are and What They Are Not Rep. Timothy Hill, R-Blountville, proposed block grant legislation (HB 1280) as an innovative way to cover more Tennesseans through the state’s Medicaid program TennCare. However, a block grant is not Medicaid expansion. As the Tennessee General Assembly considers House Bill 1280 to apply for a block grant, it’s important to know…
Read MoreGov. Bill Lee Misses the Mark on Mental Health
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dr. Eric Harman, a family medicine doctor in Kingsport, issued the following state in response to Governor Bill Lee’s State of the State address: “Many who live with mental illness are born with a genetic predisposition and others due to life circumstances or traumatic experiences. While Governor Lee is right to call…
Read MoreDr. Harman: Let This Be The Last Hospital Closure
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – Dr. Eric Harman, a family medicine physician at Mountain Region Family Medicine in Kingsport, issued the following statement after the announcement that Cumberland River Hospital will close on March 1, 2019. “Upon hearing the news of yet another hospital closure, it’s almost hard to know what to say because it’s been said…
Read MoreThose Who Know Health Care Best Say the Judge’s ACA Ruling is the Worst
“Misguided and Wrong”: Those Who Know Health Care the Best Say That the Judge’s Ruling on the Affordable Care Act is the Worst Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional and should be struck down. This ruling would end protections for those with pre-existing conditions, re-implement an age tax, no…
Read MoreDr. Phelps on Texas Judge Striking Down ACA
TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – In response to tonight’s ruling by a Texas judge that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is unconstitutional, Dr. Thomas Phelps, a family physician in Tullahoma, issued the following response: “What does Sen. Lamar Alexander have to say about this ruling? Despite voting to repeal and replace the ACA last year, he at one…
Read MoreRep. Blackburn on Pre-Existing Conditions: Truth vs. Reality
Rep. Blackburn’s Words Contradict Her Voting Record on Pre-Existing Conditions According to her voting record, Rep. Marsha Blackburn has not stood up to protect the 2,718,800 Tennesseans living with a pre-existing condition. Blackburn’s Words: “Every Plan That I Have Voted For Includes Pre-Existing Conditions.” “Every plan that I have voted for includes pre-existing conditions, and…
Read MoreAs Two More Tennessee Hospitals Close, Blackburn Continues to Push for Health Care Repeal
Nashville, TN – Tennova Healthcare announced it plans to close two hospitals by the end of the year – one in North Knoxville, and one in Morristown. Meanwhile, Rep. Marsha Blackburn continues to help lead the charge to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would leave hospitals less financially sustainable and made it harder…
Read More