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.

For more updates and articles from volunteers and staff, read our 2018 Summer Newsletter .
THCC Updates
Despite the challenges of losing our Navigator funding, we continue moving forward in our mission to assure all Tennesseans have affordable, high quality, and equitable access to health care!

In the month of August we:
  • Assisted 24 advocates from 10 Tennessee cities submit comments to TennCare concerning work requirement waivers. Also assisted 12 organizations prepare letters and/or for TennCare's stakeholder meeting August 20th.
  • Published a Voter Registration Toolkit with feedback from Tennessee Charitable Care Network and various FQHC's aimed at encouraging clinics and health centers to talk to clients about the importance of voting.
  • The 844 Hotline received 501 calls. Staff and volunteers assisted 617 people, enrolled 255 people in TennCare.
  • Collected more than 250 signatures petitioning Senators Alexander and Corker to protect against health care discrimination for LGBTQ Americans as is assured in the Affordable Care Act. (sign petition)

To learn more about the current campaigns, volunteer opportunities, or support hosting a forum, please email info@thcc2.org .
Reports and Announcements
  • The Sycamore Institute - Issued a report titled "Obstacles to Work among TennCare Enrollees Potentially Affected by a Work Requirement. The report highlights how poor health, lack of home internet access, and lack of transportation could serve as barriers for caregivers on Medicaid to comply with the work requirement. (Link)

  • Tennessee Health Care Campaign - Signed on to the "Proud Voter Campaign" with goal of registering 75,000 Voters in Tennessee in partnership with dozens of other organizations. THCC's strategy is to engage people enrolled in health care, uninsured, and by training charity clinics and health centers on how to register clients on site. (Link to press release)

  • Community Catalyst - Introduced a "Federal Watch List" resource for advocates to receive easy-to-reference policy updates relevant to health care advocates across the country. (Link)

  • TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition - TIRRC is preparing individuals to comment on an anticipated "Public Charge" rule. If enacted, the rule will make it harder, or impossible, for individuals to apply for a green card if they have accessed certain public health benefits such as non-emergency Medicaid, Children's Health and Insurance Program (CHIP), and subsidies provided through the Affordable Care Act. (Link to learn more).
Events and Webinars
*This is the last week to register for THCC's Conference September 15th!
  • 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)

  • Tennessee Health Care Campaign and Church and Society Committee of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church are hosting a public meeting titled "Signs of Progress: The Growing Case for Medicaid Expansion." in Johnson City, September 17th, 6:30 - 8:00pm Eastern Time. (Link to press release)

  • Systems for Action National Program Office is 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)

  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Tennessee is hosting a policy forum titled "Tobacco: Health, Economy, and Disparity on October 31st, 2018 from 9 - 11am at Spark Center Nashville. (Link to register)
Action Items and Input Opportunities
  • Question Candidates on Health Care - Health Care is the #1 issue voters are concerned about this election. Know where candidates stand on issues important to Tennesseans by asking these questions prepared by Dr. James Powers. (Link to document)

  • Voter Registration - The month of September THCC will be actively promoting voter registration. Email jacy@thcc2.org to volunteer to make phone calls to potential voters to encourage them to register.

  • Protect Against Health Care Discrimination for LGBTQ Americans - Sign our petition to be delivered to Senators Alexander and Corker to maintain consumer protections for LGBT persons when accessing health insurance through the ACA marketplace or through their employers. (Link to Petition)

  • Speak up for Caregivers on Medicaid in Rural Tennessee - THCC intern, Alexandra Hulten, prepared a letter addressed to TennCare asking how they will address the barriers such as transportation and access to home internet when implementing the TennCare work requirement. (Link to Action)

  • September Action Items - For other ideas on actions to protect and promote health care this September, take a peak at our September Advocacy Calendar. (Link to Document)
News of Interest: