Advocating for affordable, high quality, equitable access to health care.
Health Care Advocacy Updates
Below are the latest updates from THCC, sign-on opportunities, upcoming events related to health care advocacy, and news highlights of interest.
THCC Updates
Despite setbacks and news of our Navigator grant ending effective July 31st, Tennessee Health Care Campaign staff and volunteers have remained focused on our mission to advance access to affordable, high quality, equitable health care.
In the month of July we:
Updated the THCC's Vision, Mission, Values, and Organizational goals as part of our 2019-2021 strategic plan. (THCC one-pager)
Educated leaders from 30+ organizations in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis on the status of Work Requirement waiver for TennCare beneficiaries.
Mailed every Tennessee candidate for U.S. Congress a summary of a petition on the non-discrimination section of the Affordable Care Act with 350+ signatures.
Mailed article on the ACA and importance of Medicaid Expansion to homes of over 3,300 voters in key rural community.
Submitted comments and suggestions for revision of Tennessee's Certificate of Need regulations as part of work on rural health equity.
The 844 Hotline received 455 calls and Navigators assisted 228 people, enrolled 12 people in QHP plans and 131 in TennCare.
To learn more about the current campaigns, volunteer opportunities, or support hosting a forum, please email [email protected].
Reports and Announcements
The Sycamore Institute updated a document to reflect approved work requirement details for Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. (Link) Also from the Sycamore Institute - Health Debate 2018: A Primer on Health & Budget Policy in Tennessee (Link)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued a final rule on short term health plans August 1st. The final rule goes into effect in early October will expand the duration of short-term plans from their current limit of 90 days to 364 days and allow renewals for up to 3 years. (Link to THCC's Statement on Short Term Plans)
The Public Health Institute released a new resource aimed at advancing cross-sector healthy community efforts to address the full range of all dimensions of health. "The Healthcare Playbook" builds the skills to help community developers partner with hospitals and healthcare systems. The playbook can help identify cross-sector partners; determine hospital readiness for collaboration; leverage your assets for partnership; and create your partnership roadmap.
March of Dimesrelease a new one-pager highlighting the need for Medicaid among women of childbearing age. (Link)
Events and Webinars
Tennessee Health Care Campaign is hosting our Annual Health Advocacy Conference titled: “Changing the Course for Health in Tennessee: New Strategies for access to affordable health care for ALL Tennesseans.” Sponsorship deadline for inclusion in program is August 31st. Event September 15th. Registration link. (Flyer)
Systems for Action National Program Officeis hosting a webinar titled: Rural-Urban Differences in Delivery Systems for Population Health Activities, Wednesday, September 19th, 11:00am – 12pm Central.Registration link.
Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug, and Other Addiction Services (TAADAS) is hosting a Nashville Addiction Summit titled Facing Addiction: Finding Common Ground on September 25th, 2018. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.Registration link.
Action Items and Input Opportunities
Sign-on Letter to Attorney General Slatery- Protect Our Care has published an open letter requesting Tennessee be withdrawn from the ACA lawsuit that would put protections of over 2.7 million Tennesseans with pre-existing conditions at risk of being repealed. (Link to sign letter)
Mid South Adapt is requesting advocates call Senator Alexander’s office asking him to cosponsor the Disability Integration Act (HR 2472). This piece of legislation is the most important proposed law since the passage of the ADA 28 years ago. (PDF of Script) (Link for more info).
Due September 10th- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid published a proposed rule to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which includes boosts to telehealth services beginning in 2019. The rule will allow for certain types of telehealth services to be covered as a standard physician service. (Link to submit comment on Rule)
