Tennessee Postpones Request For Federal Matching Funds For Cover Tennessee

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 12 Oct 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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Negotiations over a federal waiver for TennCare have delayed plans to request federal matching funds for Cover Tennessee, a new program for uninsured state residents, Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) said on Tuesday, the AP/Tennessean reports. Bredesen signed Cover Tennessee into law in 2006 with the hopes that it eventually would qualify to receive matching funds. The program would provide health insurance for uninsured adults in the state who work for small businesses that employ fewer than 25 workers, at least half of whom have annual incomes less than $41,000. The program also includes a high-risk pool for state residents with medical conditions that have made them unable to receive private insurance coverage, called AccessTN. Bredesen said, "I'm not as enthusiastic as I once was, but I still consider that an open issue," adding, "I'll be honest that this was not a time to open new fronts with" federal officials (Schelzig, AP/Tennessean, 10/10).

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