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Daily Dose for February 23, 2007
Daily Dose
"TennCare Only Worse" -- The Kingsport Times-News reports on Governor Bredesen's "CoverTN" program - and the lack of doctors signing on to the program in upper East Tennessee. The two major hospitals in that part of the state have refused to sign on to the program because of lack of "adequate coverage and adequate reimbursement for providers." State Rep. Matthew Hill says he voted against the program because "Hospitals and doctors are not signing up for this program ... because the reimbursement rate is less than TennCare." One hospital official commented on another problem with CoverTN: ""We are fearful that this program will be a repeat of the TennCare program, only worse. We are ... concerned that we will see a repeat of the TennCare experience with insured individuals and companies dropping their insurance, going ‘bare' for the required six months, and then enrolling in CoverTN. We saw this happen with the TennCare program." Another problem with the CoverTennessee suite is that the prescription drug component, CoverRx has already reached program capacity - that story in the News-Sentinel.
Edwards Shows How Bad His Campaign Is -- When you're a candidate for President one would think you would have more important fish to fry than coming to a state's premier university and criticizing them for not offering employees a living wage. But that's exactly what former Sen. John Edwards did before a scheduled fundraiser in one of Nashville's richest areas. If Edwards was looking for traction in the South, this wasn't it.
Corker's Amazing Travel Schedule -- Newly minted Sen. Bob Corker is making the rounds and showing his independent streak. Corker in Memphis mentioned that he is opposed to the part of President Bush's heathcare plan that would cut funding to publically owned hospitals like The Med in Memphis. Corker was in Clarksville yesterday as well - to speak to a Chamber group in the military town after returning from a trip to Iraq. Corker on Iraq: "I think we need to give them the freedom to operate for the next several months...We're going to know very, very quickly whether this is working or not."
Alexander to Hire Conservation Expert -- If you're an expert on conservation public policy you may want to send your resume to Sen. Lamar Alexander's office. Alexander promised national park supporters and officials gathered in Knoxville on Thursday that he would hire a conservation specialist for his Washington staff. Alexander was visiting the non-partisan National Parks Conservation Association summit.
Both Lt. Govenors Skeptical on Bredesen Land Deal -- Speaking of conservation issues, both current Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and long-time Lt. Governor John Wilder have said they are skeptical of a land deal which would by up 124,000 acres of forestlands on the Cumberland Plateau that is a part of Governor Bredesen's budget. Ramsey: "I have huge reservations." Wilder: "I've got a problem with buying land and doing nothing with it." The plan calls for the land to be used to expand Frozen Head State Park.
More on Ford's Electric Bill -- The Memphis Commercial Appeal uncovered what was suspicious about Memphis City Councilman Edmund Ford's electric bill. It seems that Councilman Ford was enrolled in improperly in the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division's program to help the poor pay their electric bills. By the way, Councilman Ford serves as the Chairman of the Council committee that governs the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division. MLGW executives knew not only about Ford's delinquent bills but also about his account's inclusion in MLGW's "On Track" program, according to documents the publicly owned utility turned over to federal authorities Thursday. The documents came out as part of a subpoena for federal corruption charges against Ford.
