Health Care Advocacy Updates

October Action October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Did you know Tennessee is one of only three states that do not provide dental benefits to adults who qualify for Medicaid? Take a moment to tell your state legislator the importance of dental health - and that they don't need a block grant to provide this benefit. Learn More and Take Action.

THCC Updates In September THCC: Enrolled 186 people in healthcare plans (6 QHP and 180 TennCare). Trained 22 people on how to enroll people in TennCare Hosted Annual Conference providing advocates with information about Tennessee's Safety Net Services, Communication Strategies, Rural Hospital Closures, Mediciad and more.

As part of our 30 Year Anniversary celebration, THCC recognized allied organizations for their advocacy successes and support!

Reports and Announcements

Breaking Down TennCare's Block Grant Proposal published by The Sycamore Institute explains the draft "Amendment 42" that seeks to change the way TennCare is funded (Link)  Children Living in High-Poverty, Low-Opportunity Neighborhoods published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reported a reduction in the number of children living in poverty and the need to reduce toxic stress among adolecents. (Link) United Way ALICE Report published by United Ways of Tennessee finds that 39% of Tennessee households struggle to afford basic necessitites such as housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. (Link)

Events and Webinars October 15 - Twitter Chat hosted by Tennessee Disability Coalition Join in the online discussion concerning the proposed TennCare Block Grant 10am Central Time. October 19 - Dr. James Powers House Party for THCC Our 30 Year Anniversary Celebration in Middle Tennessee. RSVP here. October 21 - Mental Health America of MidSouth is hosting a seminar titled Affordable Housing in Clarksville to train advocates on identifying issues in housing and the links to health disparities. Details and Registration here. October 26 - Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drugs, and other Addiction services (TAADAS) will host their annual carnival themed health fair. Details here. November 8 - Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare (TCSW) is hosting their Fall Advocacy and Social Justice Conference in Knoxville. Details here.

Action Items and Input Opportunities Dental Health for Adults with TennCare The draft Amendment 42 waiver requesting TennCare be converted to a "block grant" claims it needs flexibility to provide dental benefits to adults on TennCare. Tennessee is only 1 of 3 states that does not offer this benefit to adults. Share this information and the importance of dental health for positive health outcomes and workforce participation with your state legislators. THCC Action Page. TennCare Block Grant The Division of TennCare is requesting comments concerning the draft Amendment 42 waiver. Advocates may submit comments via the THCC Action Page.

News of Interest Expanding Medicaid Means Health Problems Get Found and Health Improves, Study Finds via University of Michigan Health Fewer Americans are abusing opioids. But the improvements vary dramatically by state via Washington Post In second day of public hearings, no one speaks in favor of Tennessee's Medicaid block grant plan via Knox News Residents, advocates raise concerns over Tennessee's Medicaid block grant proposal in first public hearing via Tennessean Rural hospitals are caught in a cycle of failure by Tracey Stansberry in Tennessean Sen. Lamar Alexander: Congress is trying to protect patients from surprise medical bills via Tennessean Tennessee's Medicaid block grant: 3 days, 3 public hearings, zero support via Jackson Sun Tennessee suffered third-largest increase of uninsured people in the nation, Census reports via Tennessean Trump promotes private Medicare coverage, drawing contrast with Democrats' health care plans via Politico Walmart to test new health care services for workers via The Atlanta Voice

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