Health Care Advocacy Updates
If you are new to THCC, Welcome! And thank you for signing our petition to Expand Medicaid .

Below are the latest updates from THCC, action opportunities, upcoming events, and news highlights. We hope you find something of interest.
THCC Updates
February was short, but we have much to celebrate!

In February THCC:
  • Enrolled 167 people in healthcare plans (26 QHP and 141 TennCare).
  • Met with TennCare Administrators to discuss new TEDS system.
  • Submitted three letters to CMS concerning the negative impact work reporting requirements will have on Tennesseans if approved.
  • Met with the chairs of the House Health Committee Bryan Terry and Esther Helton as well as several members. Also with co-chair of House Finance Committee Patsy Hazelwood and Senator Bo Watson, chair of the Senate Finance Committee.
  • Hosted Knoxville volunteers to meet with Senators Nicely, Massey, and Swann and Representatives Carr, Farmer, Powers, and Staples.
  • Board members Barbara Clinton and Randall Rice published an op-ed in the Tennessean and Commercial Appeal on the importance of Medicaid Expansion to rural hospitals. (Link)
  • Made more than 60k social media impressions with 5000 engagements, including 5,500 impressions for our Black History Month posts provided by Community Catalyst.
A special thank-you to these Knoxville volunteers for making the drive to Nashville to talk Medicaid Expansion with legislators!
Reports and Announcements
  • The Common Wealth published a report titled "Health Insurance Coverage Eight Years After the ACA" highlighting the increase in number of insured, but "underinsured" is also growing (Link).

  • Voices4Kids published "10 Reasons to Reject Medicaid Block Grants" describing the problems with block grant proposals such as failure to adjust for economic recession (Link).

  • The Sycamore Institute released a report "Tennessee’s Budget May Not Be Ready for the Next Recession" (Link). This is important in light of Block Grant proposals (see above).

Events and Webinars
  • Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a webcast meeting titled Overcoming Health Care Challenges in Immigrant Communities Thursday, March 21, 2019 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CST. (Link to Register)
Action Items and Input Opportunities
This month's action items all focus on Medicaid Expansion. We believe Tennessee's legislators feel the pressure to increase access to care, however the proposals released so far are questionable.

Please consider taking action one or more of the below ways. All messages on our page are customizable so that you can communicate with media or legislators in your own voice.

Letter to the Editor Templates.
  • No to Block Grants - Yes to Medicaid Expansion - This template brings awareness to the concerns related to block grants. Enter your address to populate local newspapers, then you choose which to send your letter to. Customize as you see necessary, staying close to 300 words. (Link to THCC Letter Template)

  • Expand Medicaid - Fight Addiction - This template brings awareness to how Medicaid Expansion can help fight addiction in Tennessee, including opioids. Enter your address to populate local newspapers, then you choose which to send your letter to. Customize as you see necessary, staying close to 300 words. (Link to Letter Template)

  • Expand Medicaid - Help Rural Hospitals - This template brings awareness to how Medicaid Expansion can help fight addiction in Tennessee, including opioids. Enter your address to populate local newspapers, then you choose which to send your letter to. Customize as you see necessary, staying close to 300 words. (Link to Letter Template)

Letters to Legislators
  • Custom Letter - In your own words, send your legislator a message about why providing coverage to working Tennesseans who earn less than $12,000 per year is important. Talking points are provided under the "Learn More" link. Enter your address to populate your elected state officials. Customize your letter and send. Your information will automatically populate when sending. (Link to Letter to Legislator)

Tweet Bill Lee and/or Your Representative
  • Send a Tweet - For advocates on Twitter we've created 10 customizable message for you to send to Bill Lee, you legislator (if they have an account), and/or members of the Senate and Health Committees. Enter your information, select your tweets, and press send. You will have to authorize the use of your Twitter app. (Link to Tweets)

  • Retweet THCC - Another way to get your legislators attention is to "Retweet with Comment" THCC's posts. Our Twitter handle is @TennHCC.

Share our Medicaid Expansion Petition
  • The New Medicaid Expansion Petition has 716 signatures thanks to advocates who helped share the link with their friends and family. If you haven't already, sign our petition supporting Medicaid Expansion. Then share the link with as many people as possible. We will send signatures to Bill Lee this month and again in future communications. (Link to petition)
News of Interest
Tennessee Health Care Campaign relies heavily on individual donors to advance our mission of advocating for policies and programs that improve the health and wellbeing of Tennesseans. Please consider making a contribution to continue this important work.