Tennessee Governor Hesitates On Medicaid, Frustrating Many

[Playinghardball]

Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee describes it as “trying to thread a needle from 80 yards.” Mr. Haslam is only the latest Republican tailor trying to figure out whether to expand the state’s Medicaid rolls as prescribed by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. In his case, it involves trying — so far unsuccessfully — to balance some sharply conflicting concerns: struggling hospitals, local business groups, dwindling state resources and fierce conservative opposition to the new health care law

“Sometimes you’ve got to make a tough call,” said Craig Fitzhugh, the State House Democratic minority leader, who is pushing for expansion. “It’s time to say yes or no. I don’t want to get morbid or dramatic about this thing, but it’s lives we’re talking about here. It’s human beings.” Though Mr. Haslam has said he felt under no time pressure, the state faces a Jan. 1 deadline to qualify for the first $300 million in Medicaid money for the coming year.

The Tennessee Hospital Association, the state Chamber of Commerce and Democrats say Mr. Haslam cannot afford to wait much longer.

More here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/us/politics/tennessee-governor-hesitates-on-medicaid-expansion-frustrating-many.html?_r=2&

http://theobamadiary.com/

[factsarenotfair]

1. Well, he has to consider the Urgent Care facilities his family's buisness is opening at their truck

stops.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/mar/16/pilot-partners-with-urgent-care-comapny/

Doesn't he?

[Lars39]

2. Thanks for that!

He'll only expand if his empire's going to make money.

[factsarenotfair]

4. You're welcome.

The Haslams need to be in prison for their fuel rebate fraud.
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/haslam-pilot-flying-j-deal-hits-72-million-in-settlement-costs-over-alleged-fuel-rebate-fraud

[Lint Head]

3. He's a greedy prick and should be in jail along with his brother. Wouldn't be the first time

a Tennessee Governor went to jail.

[Lars39]

5. Makes ya long for the Blanton days, doesn't it.

[indepat]

6. Gov. Halsam can be counted on to do the right thing in every action

[spanone]

7. he's a wimp. my guess is he'll try to appease the crazy party.

[Rob H.]

8. Yep, plenty of crazy teabaggers here in TN

The really crazy part is that a lot of them would probably be helped by expanding coverage, but since it's from the Obama administration they're against it.

Edited because I can't type coherently today.